Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
Pharmaceuticals
January 5, 2007
Otsuka Pharmaceutical Europe and Schwarz Pharma Deutschland to Co-promote Antiplatelet Agent Pletal® in Germany
TOKYO, January 5, 2007-- Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Otsuka Pharmaceutical) today announced that Otsuka Pharma GmbH, the German affiliate of Otsuka Pharmaceutical, and German pharmaceutical company Schwarz Pharma Deutschland GmbH will launch the antiplatelet agent Pletal® in Germany on January 8, 2007. Otsuka Pharmaceutical Europe Ltd., the European subsidiary of Otsuka Pharmaceutical, and Schwarz Pharma Deutschland have already signed the co-promotion agreement for Pletal® in October last year.
In Germany, Pletal® is an oral treatment drug indicated for improvement of the maximal and pain-free walking distances in patients with intermittent claudication. Developed by Otsuka Pharmaceutical, Pletal® was launched in the Japanese market in 1988 and is marketed in 18 countries including the United States and the UK.
Intermittent claudication is characterized by leg pain that occurs after walking a certain distance. The pain, which is caused by circulatory disorders, disappears after one stops walking and rests for a while. If left untreated, the symptoms may progress and the distance one can walk will gradually shorten. Further worsening will result in pain even while at rest and can lead to limb amputation.
About 20% of Germans aged 65 or older, in other words several hundred thousands people, are said to have intermittent claudication. This drug may help improve the quality of life of those people. Clinical trials have shown significant symptomatic improvement, and treatment with Pletal® is recommended in international guidelines.
Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. is dedicated to contributing to the health of people around the world, based on its corporate philosophy of "Otsuka - People creating new products for better health worldwide."
Corporate Profile
Schwarz Pharma Deutschland GmbH
| Established | July 1, 1955 |
|---|---|
| Capital | € 211.1 million |
| Representative | Managing Director Konstantin von Alvensleben |
| Head office | Alfred-Nobel-Str. 10, 40789 Monheim, Germany |
| Employees | 500 |
| Business | Sales of pharmaceuticals |
Otsuka Pharmaceutical Europe Ltd.
| Established | June 24, 1998 |
|---|---|
| Capital | £ 61,353,400 |
| Representative | Managing Director Meguru Kajiwara |
| Head office | Hunton House, Highbridge Business Park, Oxford Road, Uxbridge, Middlesex, UB8 1HU, U.K |
| Employees | 27 |
| Business | Holding company |
Otsuka Pharma GmbH
| Established | May 7, 1998 |
|---|---|
| Capital | £ 25,565 |
| Representative | Managing Director Joachim J. Schulze |
| Head office | Hochhaus am Park, Grüneburgweg 102, 60318 Frankfurt am Main, Germany |
| Employees | 39 |
| Business | Pharmaceuticals and medical equipment |
Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
| Established | August 10, 1964 |
|---|---|
| Capital | ¥ 6.791 billion |
| Representative | President Tatsuo Higuchi |
| Head office | 2-9 Kanda-Tsukasamachi, Chiyoda-ku Tokyo 101-8535, Japan Tel: +81-3-3292-0021 |
| Employees | 5,103 |
| Business | Manufacturing, distributing, exporting, and importing of pharmaceuticals, clinical testing equipment, medical equipment, food products, cosmetics, and other related products |