For Immediate Release
Company name: DAIICHI SANKYO COMPANY, LIMITED
Representative: Takashi Shoda, President and Representative Director
(Code no.: 4568, First Section, Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya Stock Exchanges)
Please address inquiries to Toshio Takahashi, Corporate Officer in Charge,
Corporate Communications Department
Telephone: +81-3-6225-1126
http://www.daiichisankyo.com/
DAIICHI SANKYO EUROPE is applying for approval of its new combination product of Olmesartan and Amlodipin
Approval requested in 28 European countries
Munich, October 1st 2007 - DAIICHI SANKYO EUROPE GmbH has applied in 28 European countries for approval of a new antihypertensive medication. It is a fixed combination (CS-8663) of two substances, the angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) Olmesartan and the calcium antagonist Amlodipin.
When approved, the new combination for treatment of essential hypertension is designed for use in patients whose blood pressure cannot be adequately controlled through therapy with the respective monopreparation. In clinical trials the combination of Olmesartan / Amlodipin (CS-8663) has shown a significant lowering of blood pressure. In the new fixed combination, two complementary therapeutic approaches are combined: blocking of the angiotensin II receptor and blocking of the calcium channel. Olmesartan is already being marketed by DAIICHI SANKYO and is the angiotensin receptor blocker with the greatest sales growth in Europe(1). Amlodipin is one of the most frequently used calcium antagonists in many European countries.
"Hypertension is currently viewed as the number one cause of death. Most patients need two or even more medications to normalise their blood pressure. The new fixed combination has proved to be effective and well tolerated in a large number of patients. That also applies to patients who have very high blood pressure at the start of therapy," says Dr Petra Laeis, Head of Clinical Research at DAIICHI SANKYO EUROPE. "The combination of the two wellknown agents Olmesartan and Amlodipin in one tablet gives doctors another effective treatment option for hypertension, which can lead to better results because patients are more likely to use it faithfully," continues Dr Laeis.
(1) Source:IMS MIDAS Juli 2007
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