For Immediate Release

Sanofi Pasteur-Daiichi Sankyo Vaccine Co., Ltd.
Daiichi-Sankyo Co., Ltd.

Announcement regarding ActHib(R)(pediatric vaccine for the prevention of infections caused by Haemophilus influenza Type b)

Sanofi Pasteur Daiichi-Sankyo Vaccine Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Edogawa-ku, Tokyo, President: Hiroshi Sugiyama) and Daiichi-Sankyo Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo, President: Takashi Shoda) make an announcement on a current situation and an expectation of launch of its pediatric vaccine, ActHIB which prevents the infectious disease caused by Haemophilus Influenza Type b (License holder: Sanofi Pasteur Daiichi-Sankyo Vaccine Co., Ltd., Manufacturer: sanofi pasteur S.A (France), Distributor: Daiichi-Sankyo Co., Ltd. Approval: January 26, 2007)

We have informed you in ?Announcement regarding ActHIB? in February this year that the date of launch of the vaccine would be around this summer. But, it takes more time than expected to manufacture the batch meeting the in-house criteria established for the product toward the Japanese market. However, ActHIB has not yet been launched. Please accept our sincere apology.

At the present time, all import process and quality tests for product release are on-going, in parallel, we have already planned to increase the import quantity in collaboration with the manufacturer to launch in December to protect as many infants as possible against the meningitis caused by Haemophilus Influenzae type b. However, a specificity of vaccine requires a long time from production toward product sales. Therefore, if the demand is much higher than expected after the launch and if you face some delay to get access to the product for instant, your understanding will be highly appreciated. We will make our earnest efforts to bring solutions.

We are planning to announce the final launch date as soon as it is fixed.


Inquiries on this matter should be addressed to:
Sanofi Pasteur-Daiichi Sankyo Vaccines Co., Ltd.
Toll-free phone number: 0120-121-137


Corporate Communication Department
Daiichi-Sankyo Co., Ltd.
Tel: 03-6225-1126