Sanko Junyaku Launches Diagnostic Reagent Kit For Automated Clinical Chemistry Analyser To Determine KL-6, Detecting Marker of Interstitial Pneumonia.

Tokyo, June 1, 2009 - (JCN Newswire) - Sanko Junyaku Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of diagnostics business of Eisai Co., Ltd., will launch NANOPIA(R) KL-6 Eisai, a new test kit for automated clinical chemistry analyser to determine KL-6, detecting marker of interstitial pneumonia. The product will be manufactured by Sekisui Medical Co., Ltd. and available on the Japanese market from July 1st this year.

Sanko Junyaku, Eisai, and Sekisui Medical jointly developed NANOPIA(R) KL-6 Eisai. Sekisui Medical received manufacturing and marketing approval for the product from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare in Japan. It is listed under coverage of national health insurance effective today. The product will be marketed by Sanko Junyaku with marketing support by Eisai and Sekisui Medical.

KL-6 is a serum marker highly specific for interstitial pneumonia. Sanko Junyaku currently markets EITEST(R) KL-6 (sandwich enzyme immunoassay method) and PICOLUMI(R) KL-6 (electrochemiluminescence immunoassay method), reagents to determine KL-6, and also LUMIPULSE(R) KL-6 Eisai and LUMIPULSE Presto(R) KL-6 Eisai for fully automated chemiluminescent enzyme immunology system.

NANOPIA(R) KL-6 Eisai, the new diagnostic reagent kit that was developed with the techniques of Sekisui Medical and are based on latex immunoturbidimetric assay, for automated clinical chemistry analyser, which is being widely used in a medical setting, especially in hospitals, will further enhance the convenience of diagnostic aid for interstitial pneumonia.

Idiopathic interstitial pneumonia and drug-induced pneumonia are the most common types of interstitial pneumonia. Recent increase in number of patients with drug-induced pneumonia has raised social concern about and awareness of the importance of the disease. Sanko Junyaku, Eisai, and Sekisui Medical are committed to contribute to increasing the benefits of potential patients with interstitial pneumonia, making the product available in Japan.

Product Information

Product Name        NANOPIA(R) KL-6 Eisai
Assay System        Automated Clinical Chemistry Analyser
Reagents            KL-6 buffer solution     KL-6 latex test solution
Package             24mL x 2                 8mL x 2
List Price          136,000 JPY              204,000 JPY
Intended Use        Determination of sialylated carbohydrate antigen
                     (KL-6) level in serum or plasma
Manufactured by     Sekisui Medical Co., Ltd.
Marketed by         Sanko Junyaku Co., Ltd.
Marketing supported by Eisai Co., Ltd.

Solution and Calibrator (sold separately)

Product Name        KL-6 Calibrator
Package             0.5mL x 4 concentrations
List Price          20,000 JPY
Manufactured by     Sekisui Medical Co., Ltd.
Marketed by         Sanko Junyaku Co., Ltd.
Marketing supported by Eisai Co., Ltd.

Glossary

1. Automated Clinical Chemistry Analyser

A device mainly for colorimetric analysis of marker in serum or plasma using enzyme reaction or colour reaction. The process from sampling to output of assay result is automated. Although discrete method is widely used currently, electrolyte test by electrode method and immunological test by latex immunoturbidimetric assay can also be done using this analyser.

2. Latex Immunoturbidimetric Assay

Latex particles that have sensitised antibody and antigen in specimen cause antigen-antibody reaction to agglutinate latex particles. This assay determines the agglutination as a change of absorbance. Reagent for latex immunoturbidimetry is widely used as the agglutination of latex particles can be determined quantitatively with an easy operation of the automated clinical chemistry analyser.

3. Interstitial Pneumonia

Human lungs are made up of multiple, small grape-like structures called alveoli, where the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide takes place. Inflammation of alveoli causes pneumonia, which can be roughly classified into two groups based on the region where the inflammation occurs: interstitial pneumonia, in which inflammation occurs in the walls of the alveoli (interstitium), and alveolar pneumonia (commonly-termed pneumonia), in which inflammation occurs in the airway between bronchi and alveoli (alveolar space). Differential diagnosis is required since treatment for these two types of pneumonia is different.

4. KL-6 (Sialylated Carbohydrate Antigen)

KL-6 is expressed on the surface of type II alveolar epithelial cells which consist of the walls of the alveolus (interstitium). In interstitial pneumonia, type II alveolar epithelial cells are excessively formed and the KL-6 level increases. Determination of serum KL-6 level is effective for the diagnosis of interstitial pneumonia since intracellular KL-6 exudes into blood.

About Eisai

Eisai Co., Ltd. (TSE: 4523; ADR: ESALY) is a research-based human health care company that discovers, develops and markets products in more than 30 countries. 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 employs more than 8,000 people worldwide. For more information, please visit www.eisai.co.jp .

Source: Eisai

Contact:

Eisai Co., Ltd.
Public Relations
Phone: [phone]

Sanko Junyaku Co., Ltd.
Public Relations
Phone: [phone]

Sekisui Medical Co., Ltd.
General Affairs Group
General Affairs
& Personnel Department
Phone: [phone]

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