FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
No.07-20
May 15, 2007

On May 14 (local time in Thailand), Eisai (Thailand) Marketing Company Limited (Headquarters: Bangkok, President: Sithongsurapana Thaweesak), the Thai pharmaceutical sales subsidiary of Eisai Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Tokyo, President & CEO: Haruo Naito) submitted an application to the Thai Food and Drug Administration for the gastroprokinetic agent Gasmotin® (generic name: mosapride citrate) for the treatment of gastrointestinal symptoms associated with functional dyspepsia.

Gasmotin® is the gastroprokinetic agent originally developed by Dainippon Sumitomo Pharma Co., Ltd. In April 2006, Eisai and Dainippon Sumitomo Pharma executed the license agreement which Dainippon Sumitomo Pharma granted to Eisai the rights for development, manufacturing and marketing of Gasmotin® in ten Asian countries including ASEAN members. This application in Thailand is the first application submitted since the license agreement was signed.

Gasmotin® is a selective serotonin 5-HT4 receptor agonist which stimulates 5-HT4 receptors in nerve plexuses in the gastrointestinal tract and has gastroprokinetic and gastric evacuant effects by enhancing acetylcholine release.

Eisai is actively developing new business in Asian market with its global products including Aricept® (symptomatic treatment for Alzheimer’s disease) and Pariet® (proton pump inhibitor), as well as utilizing various business alliances with its partners. In particular, Eisai has a solid basis for marketing in the gastroenterology area achieved by the experience with major gastritis/gastric ulcer treatments including Pariet® and Selbex®. The extension of the product lineup with Gasmotin® will bring greater synergy, allowing it to make further contributions to the greater numbers of patients in the market.

Eisai plans to make further efforts in order to achieve submission in other Asian countries and continues to make efforts for increasing the benefits to the patients in this region.

Contacts:
Corporate Communications Department
Eisai Co., Ltd.
81-3-3817-5120