Taiho Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd and Nordic Group BV Enter Into a Development and Commercialization Agreement for the Recently EMA Approved Anti-Cancer Drug Teysuno[TM] Covering the EU and Other Selected European Countries
By Nordic Group And Taiho Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd, PRNEWednesday, July 20, 2011
PARIS, July 21, 2011 -
Taiho Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Head office: Tokyo, Japan;
President: Toru Usami) and Nordic Group BV (Head office: Hoofddorp,
the Netherlands ; CEO and Managing Director: Drs. Hans Schram) have
entered into an agreement to support the ongoing development and
commercialization of Teysuno[TM]
in the EU and other selected European countries.
Teysuno[TM], a novel oral
anti-cancer agent, recently received Marketing Authorization from
the EMA for the treatment of adults with advanced gastric cancer
when given in combination with cisplatin (March 14, 2011), which
will form the basis of its commercial entry into this region.
Under this agreement Nordic will acquire an exclusive right to
commercialize Teysuno[TM] in their
territory and will become the Marketing Authorization Holder.
Nordic will combine its strong track record of success for
entering new specialty pharmaceutical markets with its commitment
to immediately develop a leading oncology business unit in Europe
to ensure doctors and patients throughout the region will soon
benefit from their access to
Teysuno[TM], an important new
addition to the treatment of advanced gastric cancer.
The agreement has been structured to encourage and support a
strong collaborative environment between the companies from which
Taiho’s extensive experience with Teysuno in Japan and other
countries in Asia will be immediately and seamlessly available to
the partnership.
About Teysuno
Teysuno™ was authorised for the treatment of gastric cancer in
Japan in 1999. Teysuno™ is also authorized for patients with
gastric cancer in South Korea, China, Singapore and Taiwan. To
date, Teysuno™ has been used by more than 870,000 patients in Japan
and Asia.
A member of the fluoropyrimidine class of anticancer agents,
Teysuno™ is a combination of three pharmacological compounds. The
main active substance in Teysuno, tegafur, is a prodrug of a
chemical called 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), meaning that it is converted
in the body to 5-FU. In the body, 5-FU interferes with the enzymes
involved in making DNA. As a result, it can prevent the growth of
cancer cells or result in cell death.[1]
The two other active substances in Teysuno™ allow tegafur to be
effective at lower doses and with fewer side effects. Specifically,
gimeracil prevents the breakdown of 5-FU and oteracil reduces the
activity of 5-FU in normal, non-cancerous tissue in the gut.
About Taiho Pharmaceutical
Taiho Pharmaceutical, a subsidiary of Otsuka Holdings Co., Ltd.,
is an R&D-driven specialty pharma focusing on the three fields
of oncology, allergies and immunology, and urology. Its corporate
philosophy takes the form of a pledge: “We strive to improve human
health and contribute to the enrichment of society.” In the field
of oncology in particular, Taiho Pharmaceutical is known as a
leading company in Japan and around the world for developing
evidence-based medicines for the treatment of cancer. In areas
other than oncology, as well, the company creates quality products
that effectively treat medical conditions and can help improve
people’s quality of life. Always putting customers first, Taiho
Pharmaceutical also aims to offer over-the-counter medicinal
products that support people’s efforts to lead fulfilling and
rewarding lives.
For more information about Taiho Pharmaceutical, please visit
www.taiho.co.jp/english/
About Otsuka Holdings Co., Ltd.
The Otsuka Group is a diversified healthcare group operating
globally under the corporate philosophy ‘Otsuka-people creating new
products for better health worldwide’. The Otsuka Group has
business operations in 23 countries and regions around the world,
and its consolidated sales for fiscal 2010 is ¥1,090.2 billion.
For more information, please visit the company’s website at
About Nordic Group BV
The Nordic Group is a privately owned, fast growing, fully
integrated, pan-European Pharmaceutical company, with a strong
focus on the development and commercialization of niche hospital
and orphan products and services that cater to the specific needs
of clients and patients. In addition to its sales and
marketing companies in 13 European countries, operating under the
name of Nordic Pharma and Nordic Drugs, the Nordic Group operates
as well a number of specialized Pharmaceutical Services companies,
specialized in product development, manufacturing, supply
logistics, clinical studies and regulatory activities. These
companies are operating under the name of Prague Clinical Services,
QPharma, Disphar and Indeus. Since its creation, Nordic has
enjoyed an average growth of 20% in revenues, and it pursues its
expansion through organic growth and strategic collaborations.
Additional information can be obtained by visiting Nordic Group’s
website at www.nordicpharmagroup.com.
1. EPAR Summary for the Public:
Teysuno (draft). EMA/467/2011, EMEA/H/C/001242. London, UK:
European Medicines Agency, January 2011.
contact
Hans Schram, CEO & Managing Director,
Stéphane Altaba, Director Corp. Bus. Dev.,
+33(0)1-53-63-22-70
Tags: France, July 21, Nordic Group And Taiho Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd, Paris
