Tokyo, Japan (April 16, 2010) - Daiichi Sankyo Company, Limited (hereafter; Daiichi Sankyo,) today announced that it has launched Rezaltas^® combination tablets LD and HD for the treatment of hypertension in Japan. (Approval date: January 20, 2010 / Drug price listing date: April 16, 2010)

Rezaltas^® is a combination drug featuring the Daiichi Sankyo-developed olmesartan medoxomil (Olmetec^®), a high-affinity ARB (angiotensin receptor blocker), and azelnidipine (Calblock^®), a long-acting CCB (calcium channel blocker) that the company researched and developed with Ube Industries, Ltd. 

ARBs and CCBs are often prescribed together in Japan because they address the multiple causes of hypertension in order to reduce blood pressure to target levels. Daiichi Sankyo has combined olmesartan medoxomil, which has proven exceptionally powerful in lowering blood pressure among ARBs, with azelnidipine, a CCB that delivers ongoing decreases in blood pressure while minimizing sympathomimetic hyperactivity. Clinical studies demonstrated that Rezaltas^® consistently suppresses blood pressure for 24 hours while offering excellent tolerance. 

Daiichi Sankyo has a long track record in developing and marketing medications to lower blood pressure, and the company is confident that Rezaltas^® will contribute significantly to hypertension treatment.