For Immediate Release

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

The Percutaneous Absorption-Type Analgesic and Anti-inflammatory Drug Loxonin(R)Tape 50mg/100mg Receives Approval for Manufacture and Marketing

Tokyo, March 12, 2008 - DAIICHI SANKYO COMPANY, LIMITED (President and representative director: Takashi Shoda) and Lead Chemical Co., Ltd. (President: Masao Mori) today announced that they received an approval for manufacture and marketing of the percutaneous absorption-type analgesic and anti-inflammatory preparation, Loxonin(R) Tape 50mg/100mg (generic name: loxoprofen sodium) by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare on March 7, 2008. The product is jointly developed by both firms.

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. The adhesive tape is expected to have superior analgesic and anti-inflammatory efficacy when applied once per day.

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

This preparation is scheduled to be manufactured by Lead Chemical and sold by DAIICHI SANKYO.

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