For Immediate Release

DAIICHI SANKYO COMPANY, LIMITED
KISSEI PHARMACEUTICAL CO., LTD.

Daiichi Sankyo and Kissei to Launch Urief® Tablet, a Treatment for Dysuria Associated with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

Tokyo, February 4, 2009 - Daiichi Sankyo Company, Limited and Kissei Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. announced that they will launch Urief® tablet 2 mg and Urief® tablet 4 mg (generic name: silodosin) on February 5 in Japan. Urief® is used for the treatment of dysuria associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia.
The Urief® tablet is a new formulation of Urief capsule 2 mg and Urief® capsule 4 mg, which were jointly marketed by Daiichi Sankyo and Kissei in Japan since 2006. Urief was originally discovered by Kissei and was co-developed by Daiichi Sankyo and Kissei. The efficacy of Ufief capsule is appreciated since its introduction. Its annual sales is growing to approximately 15 billion yen.
Dysuria associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia is a condition specific to males. The prostate gland that surrounds the urethra in the lower part of the bladder becomes hypertrophied with age, and the hypertrophied prostate gland contracting excessively and compressing the urethra causes dysuric symptoms such as difficulty of urination, frequent urination and residual urine. With the continuing aging population of Japan, the number of afflicted patients is anticipated to grow further.
The tablet makes it easier for elderly patients and patients with dysphagia to swallow compared with the capsule. Additionally, Urief® tablet 4 mg has a cleavage line to allow for dosage adjustment and thus improves the convenience for patients and medical professionals.
By selectively blocking alpha 1A-adrenoceptors that primarily exist in the prostate gland, Urief® removes the tension of the prostate gland to improve urethral resistance, thereby improving dysuria associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia. Compared with existing drugs, Urief offers faster onset and improves symptoms such as difficulty of urination, frequent urination, and urinary incontinence.
Overseas, development is currently being conducted by companies which Kissei granted development and marketing rights. The drug received approval in Korea in April 2008 and in the U.S. in October 2008. An application was filed for the drug in the EU in November 2008. In December 2008, Daiichi Pharmaceutical (Beijing) Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Daiichi Sankyo in China, filed an application to China's State Food and Drug Administration (SFDA).
Daiichi Sankyo and Kissei expect this drug to contribute to improvement in the quality of life in patients worldwide.


For further information, please contact:
DAIICHI SANKYO COMPANY, LIMITED
Corporate Communications Department
Tel : +81-3-6225-1126
KISSEI PHARMACEUTICAL CO., LTD.
Public Relations
Tel : +81-263-25-9523