For Immediate Release

Company name: DAIICHI SANKYO COMPANY, LIMITED
Representative: Joji Nakayama, President and Representative Director
(Code no.: 4568, First Section, Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya Stock Exchanges)
Please address inquiries to Toshiaki Sai, General Manager,
Corporate Communications Department
Telephone: +81-3-6225-1126
http://www.daiichisankyo.com/

Daiichi Sankyo Receives Approval in Japan to Market RANMARK(R), a Treatment for Bone Complications Stemming from Multiple Myeloma and Bone Metastases from Solid Tumors

Tokyo, Japan (January 18, 2012) - Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd. (hereafter, Daiichi Sankyo) today announced that it has received approval in Japan to market RANMARK (denosumab), a treatment for bone complications stemming from multiple myeloma and bone metastases from solid tumors.

 

Denosumab is the world’s first fully human monoclonal antibody to target RANK Ligand, an essential mediator of osteoclast formation, function and survival approved for therapeutic use. Daiichi Sankyo has been working on denosumab since 2007 when it licensed the rights from Amgen to develop and market this antibody in Japan.

 

Daiichi Sankyo and AstraZeneca KK (an affiliate of AstraZeneca PLC) entered into a co-promotion agreement in Japan for RANMARK on May 24, 2011.

 

With RANMARK, Daiichi Sankyo aims to benefit patients, their families, and medical professionals by augmenting the few available therapeutic alternatives for treating bone disorders stemming from multiple myeloma and bone metastases from solid tumors with a new and effective treatment option.

 

 

About Daiichi Sankyo

Daiichi Sankyo Group is dedicated to the creation and supply of innovative pharmaceutical products to address the diversified, unmet medical needs of patients in both mature and emerging markets. While maintaining its portfolio of marketed pharmaceuticals for hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and bacterial infections, the Group is engaged in the development of treatments for thrombotic disorders and focused on the discovery of novel oncology and cardiovascular-metabolic therapies. Furthermore, the Daiichi Sankyo Group has created a "Hybrid Business Model," which will respond to market and customer diversity and optimise growth opportunities across the value chain. For more information, please visit: www.daiichisankyo.com.

 

About Amgen

Amgen discovers, develops, manufactures and delivers innovative human therapeutics. A biotechnology pioneer since 1980, Amgen was one of the first companies to realize the new science's promise by bringing safe, effective medicines from lab to manufacturing plant to patient. Amgen therapeutics have changed the practice of medicine, helping millions of people around the world in the fight against cancer, kidney disease, rheumatoid arthritis, bone disease and other serious illnesses. With a deep and broad pipeline of potential new medicines, Amgen remains committed to advancing science to dramatically improve people's lives. To learn more about Amgen’s pioneering science and vital medicines, visit www.amgen.com. Follow them on www.twitter.com/amgen.