Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. announced that the company has acquired the marketing approval for "the autologous blood transfusion of patients who are scheduled with blood donation of 800 mL or more for their own surgery with more than one-week blood collection period " of a recombinant human erythropoietin (brand name "Epogin Subcutaneous injection syringe 24000)" from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare on June 18, 2010.

"Epogin injection" (Epogin injection syringe, Epogin injection ampule) has been widely used in the clinical settings for its approved indications of renal anaemia under dialysis and before dialysis, immature infant anaemia, and the autologous blood transfusion. As for the autologous blood transfusion, the intravenous administration of Epogin at 6000 units/per time for three times a week on alternative days has been already approved for three forms of "Epogin injection 1500, 3000 and 6000." By obtaining approval of "Epogin Subcutaneous injection syringe 24000," once-weekly subcutaneous administration will become possible, extending choices in the autologous blood transfusion.

As is the case with "Epogin injection" now available, "Epogin Subcutaneous njection syringe 24000" is a product developed by serum-free process with a reduced injection site pain at the time of subcutaneous administration. We believe that we can contribute to improvement of the quality of life (QOL) of patients by removing their anxiety at the time of injection.

Chugai is determined to conduct research, development, manufacture and distribution of drugs with the viewpoint of patients and healthcare professionals, and to make continuous endeavours to improve the QOL of patients who are treated with drugs.