For Immediate Release

DAIICHI SANKYO COMPANY, LIMITED
Lead Chemical Co., Ltd.

Percutaneous Absorption-type Analgesic and Anti-Inflammatory Drug Loxonin(R) Tape 50mg/100mg Launched

Tokyo, July 9, 2008 - DAIICHI SANKYO COMPANY, LIMITED announced that the percutaneous absorption-type analgesic and anti-inflammatory preparation, Loxonin(R) tape 50mg/100mg (generic name: loxoprofen sodium hydrate), jointly developed by Lead Chemical Co., Ltd. (hereafter Lead Chemical; President: Masao Mori; Headquarters: Toyama City, Toyama Prefecture) was launched today. Approval for the manufacture and marketing for this preparation was received from the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare on March 7, 2008 and it was placed on the National Health Insurance drug price list on June 20, 2008.

Loxonin(R) tape is the first loxoprofen sodium adhesive tape in Japan containing the same constituents as Loxonin(R) pills and Loxonin(R) powder which are leading agents among orally administered analgesic and anti-inflammatory drugs. This product is expected to have superior analgesic and anti-inflammatory efficacy when applied once per day. Demand for this type of adhesive tape, which sticks firmly to the skin, has been increasing in recent years.

Following the launch of Loxonin(R) pap in 2006, we are confident that this new addition to Loxonin(R), which has been a long-standing top brand since 1986, will further contribute to analgesic and anti-inflammatory drug treatment.

This preparation is manufactured by Lead Chemical and marketed by DAIICHI SANKYO.

●Dosage form    Percutaneous absorption-type analgesic and anti-inflammatory

●Product name    Loxonin(R) Tape 50mg, Loxonin(R) Tape 100mg(generic name: loxoprofen sodium hydrate)

●Drug price    50mg 33.00 yen/strip  ,100mg 50.80 yen/strip

●Efficacy    Relieves pain and inflammation occurring from the following illnesses and symptoms:
                   Degenerative arthritis, muscle pain, swelling and pain caused by external injury

●Dosage    Apply tape to the affected area once per day.

●Remarks    Manufacture and sales: Lead Chemical Co., Ltd.
                    Sales: DAIICHI SANKYO Co., Ltd.

For further information, please contact:

DAIICHI SANKYO COMPANY, LIMITED
Corporate Communications Department
3-5-1 Nihonbashi-Honcho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 103-8426, Japan
Tel: +81-3-6225-1126

Lead Chemical Co., Ltd.
77-3 Himata, Toyama City, Toyama 930-0912, Japan