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

PARIS, July 21, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

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 http://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 http://www.otsuka.com/en/.

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 http://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, info@nordicpharma.com

Stéphane Altaba, Director Corp. Bus. Dev., busdev@nordicpharma.com