Asahi Kasei Pharma and Eisai in Sales Promotion Agreement for Eril in China.

Tokyo, Japan, Apr 3, 2006 - (JCN) - Asahi Kasei Pharma Corporation and Eisai Co., Ltd. announced on March 31 that AKP and Eisai China Inc., a subsidiary of Eisai, signed an agreement on March 28 giving Eisai China exclusive rights to promote injectable formulations of AKP's vasodilator Eril (fasudil hydrochloride) in China.

Under the agreement, effective June 1, 2006, Eisai China will receive a commission on sales while AKP will continue to be responsible for distribution of the product to wholesalers in China.

Eril is indicated for prevention of cerebral vasospasm and ensuing cerebral ischemia following surgery for subarachnoid hemorrhage. Eril prevents blood vessels from constricting with a new mechanism that inhibits the protein kinase, which is the last step in the vasoconstriction process.

Eisai is actively concentrating on market development activities in China. In addition to the sales promotion of its own products including the globally marketed Aricept, a drug for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, Eisai is proactively undertaking promotional activities of other companies' products.

In particular, Eisai has a solid basis for product marketing in the neurology area achieved by Aricept. The addition of Eril to the product lineup will bring greater synergy and enable further contributions to greater numbers of patients.

AKP will strengthen its business base in the Chinese market through a concentration of management resources on the osteoporosis therapy Elcitonin and the immunosuppressant Bredinin, both of which are key products in China.

The agreement announced today will enable both AKP and Eisai to gain enhanced presence in their respective fields of focus while heightening market recognition for Eril, for the ultimate benefit of the patient.

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