Osteoporosis Drug Heritage Continues Ahead of 10th Anniversary

LONDON - Study Results Demonstrate Patients Continue to Adhere to Treatment With Raloxifene

To view a Vodcast of Professor Peyman Hadji presenting the data click here: 62.193.238.61/blueprinttv/expert/Expert-Opinion.html

To view a Vodcast of a Patient’s Perspective click here:

62.193.238.61/blueprinttv/expert/The-Patient-Perspetive.html

Data presented today at the 8th European Congress on Menopause (EMAS) demonstrated that the majority of osteoporosis patients treated with raloxifene stay on therapy for the first two years.(1) Prof. Dr. P. Hadji, University Hospital of Giessen and Marburg GmbH, Marburg, Germany, stated that “Of the 300 postmenopausal osteoporosis patients who received treatment with raloxifene, results show that at 12, 24 and 36 months 96.4 %, 80.5% and 62% respectively of patients remained on therapy.”

The data released today comes ahead of raloxifene’s 10th anniversary, a turning point that will not go unmarked. Coinciding with World Osteoporosis Day this October, plans are already underway to highlight the past and present success of the drug, as well as looking forward to a positive future. Reinhard Bauer, CEO of DAIICHI SANKYO EUROPE, says “DAIICHI SANKYO is delighted to mark the 10th anniversary of raloxifene later this year. The anniversary is intended to raise awareness of the disease and celebrate the role that raloxifene has played in transforming osteoporosis management over the years.”

The management of osteoporosis among postmenopausal women represents a major public health challenge because long-term treatment is required to prevent fractures and chronic disability.(2) Today’s results, together with the forthcoming anniversary of raloxifene, highlight how important it is for patients to continue to take their medication, in order to achieve treatment benefits and reduce the burden that osteoporosis places on individuals and the healthcare system.(3)

“Patients often do not take their medication as prescribed and, as a result, current treatment with many osteoporosis therapies tends to be below standard,” commented Prof. Dr. P. Hadji “However, raloxifene has a long and proven history of patient compliance. Years of research not only confirms that patients adhere to treatment regimens with the drug, but also demonstrates a safety profile that is as strong now, 10 years on, as it was when raloxifene first came to market.”

About raloxifene

Raloxifene is a type of prescription medication called a Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulator (SERM). It is indicated for the treatment and prevention of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. Raloxifene treats and prevents osteoporosis by reducing the risk of vertebral fracture. (4) Raloxifene has been taken by up to 26 million women worldwide, up to 7 million of them were treated in Europe.(5)

About DAIICHI SANKYO

DAIICHI SANKYO is a global pharmaceutical company that focuses on researching and marketing innovative medications. The company was created in 2005 through the merger of two traditional Japanese enterprises, Daiichi and Sankyo. With net sales of nearly 5.9 billion EUR in fiscal year 2008, DAIICHI SANKYO is one of the world’s 20 leading pharmaceutical companies. The company’s world headquarters is in Tokyo, and its European base is located in Munich. DAIICHI SANKYO has affiliates in 12 European countries and has been one of the strongest Japanese pharmaceutical companies located in Europe since it set up European production facilities and marketing offices in 1990. The company’s research activities focus on the areas of cardiovascular diseases, hematology, diabetes, anti-infectives and cancer. Its aim is to develop medications that are “best” in their class or to create new classes of pharmaceutical drugs.

For more information, please visit: www.daiichi-sankyo.eu

References:

1. Hadji P, Wetzel K, Ziller V et al. (2009) Compliance during osteoporosis therapy with raloxifene. Poster presented at EMAS 2009

2. Turbi C, Herrero-Beaumont G, Acebes JC et al. (2004) Compliance and Satisfaction with Raloxifene Versus Alendronate for the Treatment of Postmenopausal Osteoporosis in Clinical Practice: An Open-Label, Prospective, Nonrandomized, Observational Study. Clin Therap 26; 245-256

3. Siris ES, Selby PL, Saag KG et al. (2009) Impact of Osteoporosis Treatment Adherence on Fracture Rates in North America and Europe. The American Journal of Medicine (2009) 122, S3-S13

4. Maricic M, Adachi JD, Sarkar S, Wu W, Wong M, Harper KD, (2002) Early effects of raloxifene on clinical vertebral fractures at 12 months in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. Arch Intern Med.;162(10):1140-3.

5. Periodic safety Update Report, PSUR 16 Global (10-DEC-2007 TO 09-JUN 2008)/ Data on File

Forward-looking statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements and information about future developments in the sector, and the legal and business conditions of DAIICHI SANKYO EUROPE GmbH. Such forward-looking statements are uncertain and are subject at all times to the risks of change, particularly to the usual risks faced by a global pharmaceutical company, including the impact of the prices for products and raw materials, medication safety, changes in exchange rates, government regulations, employee relations, taxes, political instability and terrorism as well as the results of independent demands and governmental inquiries that affect the affairs of the company. All forward-looking statements contained in this release hold true as of the date of publication. They do not represent any guarantee of future performance. Actual events and developments could differ materially from the forward-looking statements that are explicitly expressed or implied in these statements. DAIICHI SANKYO EUROPE GmbH assumes no responsibility for the updating of such forward-looking statements about future developments of the sector, legal and business conditions and the company.

For background information please contact: Duncan Smith, Phone +44(0)207-861-3022, d.smith@bellpottingerhealth.com

Contact: Dr. Iris Marr International Brand Management Phone +49(0)89-78-08-807 iris.marr@daiichi-sankyo.eu Dr. Michaela Paudler-Debus Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Phone +49(0)89-78-08-685 michaela.paudler-debus@daiichi-sankyo.eu

Source: Daiichi-Sankyo

Contact: Dr. Iris Marr, International Brand Management, Phone +49(0)89-78-08-807, iris.marr at daiichi-sankyo.eu; Dr. Michaela Paudler-Debus, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs, Phone +49(0)89-78-08-685, michaela.paudler-debus at daiichi-sankyo.eu