Otsuka Pharmaceutical Development & Commercialization, Inc. Established As
Cornerstone of Otsuka's Global Drug Development and
Strategic Commercial Planning Effort

Princeton, NJ and Tokyo, Japan. January 23, 2007. Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. is pleased to announce the establishment of a new company, Otsuka Pharmaceutical Development & Commercialization, Inc. (OPDC). OPDC is headquartered in Princeton, NJ, with additional offices in Rockville, MD.

Established in January 2007, OPDC was formed by merging two Otsuka organizations - Otsuka Maryland Research Institute, Inc., and Global Development & Commercialization Division, a division of Otsuka America Pharmaceutical, Inc. - and ensures full integration of development and strategic commercial planning activities for Otsuka's pharmaceutical compounds. OPDC strategically develops drug candidates from initial discovery of a compound through life cycle management, preparing a plan that will lead to ultimate global registration, marketing, and the full life cycle of the product. It conducts high-quality clinical studies in diversified therapeutic areas and is the cornerstone of Otsuka's global drug development and strategic commercial planning efforts. Mr. Kazumichi Kobayashi has been named Chairman & CEO, and Dr. Taro Iwamoto is President & COO.

Currently, Otsuka has compounds in various stages of development to treat disorders of the cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, respiratory and central nervous systems, and to treat cancer and ophthalmic disorders.

"OPDC's mission is to continuously strive to offer new treatment options to patients worldwide through our local pharmaceutical businesses", said Kazumichi Kobayashi, newly appointed Chairman & CEO of OPDC. "Our technical expertise in new drug research, development, and commercialization will work in harmony to provide strong and effective business opportunities on a global basis."

"Otsuka is dedicated to improving patients' health by developing novel healthcare products that address unmet medical needs.", said Mr. Tatsuo Higuchi, President of Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. "We continuously strive to offer new treatment options to patients worldwide through collaborative activities between its global and local pharmaceutical businesses. We look forward to seeing the contributions that we know OPDC will provide to Otsuka both in local markets and around the world."

About Otsuka Pharmaceutical Development & Commercialization, Inc.

Otsuka Pharmaceutical Development & Commercialization (OPDC) is a globally focused organization that plays a leadership role in the research and development of Otsuka's ethical healthcare products. From initiation of the clinical program for a compound through high quality clinical studies, product positioning and global life cycle management, OPDC is the cornerstone of Otsuka's global drug development and strategic commercial planning efforts. OPDC is part of the Otsuka Pharmaceutical Group, which is comprised of 87 companies and approximately 27,000 people around the world. For additional information, please visit www.otsuka.com.

About Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.

Founded in 1964, Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. is a healthcare company with the mission statement: "Otsuka - people creating new products for better health worldwide." Otsuka researches, develops, manufactures and markets innovative, original products, focusing its core businesses on pharmaceutical products for the treatment of disease and consumer products for the maintenance of everyday health. The Otsuka Pharmaceutical Group comprises 87 companies and employs approximately 27,000 people in 17 countries and regions worldwide. Otsuka and its consolidated subsidiaries earned US $6.8 billion in consolidated annual revenues in fiscal 2005. For additional information, please visit www.otsuka-global.com.