Pfizer Japan Inc has received manufacturing and marketing authorisation for Champix tablet 0.5 mg/1mg (varenicline tartrate), a smoking cessation aid for smokers dependent on nicotine.

Champix is Japan's first oral smoking cessation aid developed for smoking cessation treatment. Current 'Nicotine Replacement Therapy' relieves withdrawal symptoms associated with smoking cessation by replacing tobacco with nicotine. Champix brings about a smoking cessation effect as a non-nicotine partial agonist that binds to a4ß2 nicotine receptors in the brain with strong affinity.

Champix relieves withdrawal symptoms and tobacco craving associated with smoking cessation by acting as an agonist for a4ß2 nicotine receptors in the brain, which are associated with nicotine dependence. At the same time, if a person smokes a cigarette while receiving treatment, Champix acts as an antagonist to inhibit nicotine from binding to a4ß2 nicotine receptors, restricting the patient's sense of satisfaction associated with smoking.

In a 12-week, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in Japanese smokers who wanted to quit smoking, the primary endpoint (the 4 consecutive-week smoking cessation rate between Week 9 and Week 12) was 65.4 per cent (85/130 cases) in patients receiving 1mg Champix twice-daily and 39.5 per cent in the placebo group (51/129 cases) respectively, showing a statistically significant difference between the two groups.

Many smokers are suffering from nicotine dependence. At the same time, many smokers who desire and attempt to quit smoking end up without cessation. Nicotine dependence is a chronic disease that is difficult to overcome solely with a smoker's willpower. To successfully quit smoking, a combination of medical support and medication is effective. Pfizer Japan believes that by introducing Champix, we will be able to help many nicotine dependent smokers quit smoking successfully, thus creating a healthier environment in Japan.

Champix was launched under the product name of Chantix in August 2006 in the United States and of Champix in December 2006 in European Union. At present, the product is approved in more than 60 countries around the world, and used for smokers who want to quit smoking. In Japan, it was filed for approval by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) in June 2006 and it was approved on January 25, 2008.