Almirall grants Eisai marketing rights to cinitapride in China

Barcelona, 16 April 2010.- Almirall, S.A., the international pharmaceutical company based in Spain, has signed an agreement with Eisai Co., Ltd., headquartered in Tokyo, by which Almirall grants Eisai the marketing rights for cinitapride in China. Eisai is a partner with common interests in the gastrointestinal area and other shared projects in the market. This initiative forms part of Almirall's expansion strategy in the Asian market through which it is distributing its main proprietary R&D medicines, such as cinitapride.

Cinitapride, coming from Almirall's R&D, is an orthopramide with prokinetic activity on the gastrointestinal tract with marked procholinergic action that improves gastrointestinal motility. By blocking the presynaptic serotonin receptors, serotonin release is increased, thus enhancing serotonergic activity. Its antidopaminergic activity also contributes to show therapeutic effect. In Spain, cinitapride is indicated for treating mild to moderate dysmotility-type dyspepsia and also as an adjunctive therapy for gastroesophageal reflux disease in patients for whom the proton pump inhibitor has shown to be insufficient.

 

Almirall in the Asian markets

Ebastine, a second generation antihistamine and another Almirall R&D product, has been present in the Chinese market by virtue of an agreement also signed with Eisai in 2001. 

Almirall is maintaining its commitment to the Asia Pacific region, which is an important area in the company's business, thanks to the significant presence of its R&D products in Japan, Korea and recently also in Australia.

About Eisai

Eisai Co., Ltd. is a research-based human health care company that discovers, develops and markets products throughout the world. Eisai focuses its efforts in three therapeutic areas: Integrative Neuroscience, including neurology and psychiatric medicine; Integrative Oncology, including anticancer therapies and supportive-care treatment; and Vascular/Immunological Reaction, including acute coronary syndrome, sepsis, rheumatoid arthritis, etc. Through a global network of research facilities, manufacturing sites and marketing subsidiaries, Eisai actively participates in all aspects of the worldwide health care system. Eisai currently employs approximately 11,000 people worldwide.

For more information about Eisai, please visit www.eisai.co.jp/index-e.html

 

About Almirall

Almirall, an international pharmaceutical company based on innovation and committed to health. Headquartered in Barcelona, Spain, researches, develops, manufactures and commercialises its own R&D and licensed drugs with the aim of improving people's health and wellbeing.

Almirall's products are currently present in over 70 countries while it has direct presence in Europe and Latin America through 11 affiliates.