Eisai Announces Availability of Halaven® (eribulin) in Kuwait

HATFIELD, England, July 29, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

Partnership deal secured with Yiaco for Kuwait distribution

Eisai EMEA (Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Russia and Oceania) today announces its partnership with Kuwait's leading pharmaceutical marketing agency, Yiaco Medical Company, for the distribution of Halaven^® (eribulin), for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer, who have progressed after at least two chemotherapeutic regimens for advanced disease.

Commenting on the availability of eribulin in Kuwait, Toshitaka Asano, Vice President Market Development Business Unit EMEA, said: "The distribution of Halaven in Kuwait is part of Eisai's wider strategy of establishing a solid foundation in the EMEA region. We recognise Kuwait as a strong and stable market in the region which has a rapidly growing population with very specific healthcare needs. Our valued partnership with Yiaco Medical Company will mean people can receive rapid access to innovative treatments not previously available to them."

Kuwait is recognised as one of the best-regulated pharmaceutical markets of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and remains the second most attractive pharmaceutical market in the region according to the latest Business Monitor International (BMI) Risk / Reward Ratings (RRR) analysis.^[1] Continued market growth is anticipated over the next five years, buoyed up by both a high birth rate and an expanding population, offering the industry a relatively stable environment in which to operate.^[1]

"As the market-leading pharmaceutical distributor in Kuwait, we are excited about the opportunity to work in partnership with Eisai to distribute Halaven in this region," said Tareq Alryan, Assistant CEO, Pharma and Business Development, at Yiaco Medical Company. "Our unrivalled market knowledge and reputation in the region allows us to support Eisai in launching Halaven in Kuwait, whilst at the same time addressing the health needs of patients and their families in Kuwait."

Eribulin is now commercially available in Kuwait and received the full registration in October 2012.

As part of Eisai's globalisation strategy set out in its mid-term strategic plan in 2011 "HAYABUSA", the company seeks to expand its global presence by 2015 in an effort to achieve its objective of making contributions to more than 500 million patients worldwide. Since its launch in the European Union in March 2011, eribulin is now widely available worldwide.

ENDS

Notes to Editors

About Eisai's Commitment to Improving Global Access to Medicines

Today, it is estimated that some 2.7 billion* people around the world live on US$ 2 or less per day. Most of these 2.7 billion people do not have access to essential health care and treatment despite the availability of effective medicines. This is an international challenge that needs to be solved through collaborations among governments, international organisations such as the WHO, non-governmental organisations and pharmaceutical companies.

In line with its human health care (hhc) mission, Eisai is committed to improving global access to medicines over the medium-to-long term through partnership strategies that involve working with governments, international organisations, private entities and non-profit organisations. Specifically, the company has developed and is implementing a five-target approach to improve access to medicines worldwide. The five key components are: product creations, strategic solutions, capacity building, quality innovation, and long-term investment.

For further information on Eisai's Access to Medicines initiatives, please visit the Access to Medicines page on the Eisai Global website:http://www.eisai.com/company/atm/index.html

* Source: World Bank (2005)

About Eisai

Eisai is one of the world's leading research and development (R&D) based pharmaceutical companies and we define our corporate mission as "giving first thought to patients and their families and to increasing the benefits health care provides," which we call human health care (hhc).

Eisai concentrates its R&D activities in three key areas:

• Oncology including: anticancer therapies; tumour regression, tumour suppression, antibodies, etc
• Neuroscience, including: Alzheimer's disease, epilepsy, pain and weight loss
• Vascular/Immunological reaction including: thrombocytopenia, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and inflammatory bowel disease

With operations in the U.S., Asia, Europe and its domestic home market of Japan, Eisai employs more than 10,000 people worldwide. From its Knowledge Centre in Hatfield, UK, Eisai has recently expanded its business operations to include Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Russia and Oceania (EMEA). Eisai EMEA has sales and marketing operations in over 20 markets, including the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Sweden, Ireland, Austria, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Portugal, Czech Republic, Slovakia, the Netherlands, Belgium, the Middle East and Russia.

For further information please visit: http://www.eisai.co.uk

About Yiaco

Yiaco Medical Company was established in the year 1953 as a sole marketing agent for many multinational research-based pharmaceutical manufacturers. Yiaco quickly grew with the boom in Kuwait's own national growth and development, diversifying and expanding into other healthcare services such as Medical Equipment, Hospital supplies and Dental equipment & materials. Through its many years of operation and experience in the medical field, Yiaco's reputation of excellence precedes its name. A name that has come to mean undisputed market leadership in the area of medical care, unparalleled sales and services, as well as innovative state-of-the-art technology for the medical and healthcare fields.

Yiaco is fully committed to the modern healthcare system in Kuwait and abroad; and through this commitment, it has earned the privilege of delivering intelligent and economic solutions to the medical profession and the public. This commitment is not only evident through its ability to equip entire hospitals and research centers from the ground up, but in its solid financial holdings and a proud family of employees.

1. Business Monitor International: Industry Risk / Reward Ratings - Kuwait - Q2, 2013

Date of preparation: July 2013
Job Code: Halaven-UK0146