Business alliance on the New Radiopharmaceutical "Metastron Injectable"
2007/9/10
(This document is an English translation of the Japanese language original.)
Nihon Medi-Physics Co., Ltd.(NMP; Head Office: Nishinomiya City, Hyogo Pref. President: Nobuyoshi Mikami) and Nippon Kayaku Co., Ltd.(NK; Head Office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo President Koichiro Shimada) are pleased to announce that the two companies agreed on the business alliance on 10 September 2007 about distribution of "Metastron Injectable"(generic name: Strontium-89 chloride injection). "Metastron Injectable" was developed by GE Healthcare, who obtained a foreign exceptional approval on this radiopharmaceutical on 31 July 2007 from the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. NMP assumes the marketing responsibility of this radiopharmaceutical in Japan as an appointed marketing authorization holder.
Based on the agreement, while NK will be in charge of marketing of Metastron Injectable to medical institutions, NMP will be responsible for import and logistics of this product, as well as for providing information about radiation safety etc at medical institutions.
"Metastron Injectable" is a radiopharmaceutical with an indication of pain relief in patients with metastasized solid cancers to bone, which is confirmed by bone scintigraphy images. Localized irradiation of the metastasized lesion by the beta-ray emitted from Strontium-89, a radioisotope contained in "Metastron Injectable," is expected to palliate pains caused by bone metastasis of cancers. "Metastron Inejctable" has been used in over 40 countries around the world since 1986.
With the extensive experience in diagnostic nuclear medicine, NMP aims at reinforcing the business in the therapy field in a medium and long term perspective. NMP has judged the alliance with NK beneficial for providing information in a more prompt and appropriate manner about the proper use of "Metastron Injectable" such as efficacy and safety, taking advantages of NK's strong background in clinical oncology field.
NK aims at establishing its presence specialized in the clinical oncology filed. NK considers that alliance with NMP will expand its business domain to radiation therapy, leading to a greater contribution to cancer treatment.
Through the business alliance, both companies expect that this new radiopharmaceutical, "Metastron Injectable," will further contribute to pain relief care for the patients suffering from bone metastasis of solid cancer.
