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Asahi Kasei Pharma Corporation
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Asahi Kasei Pharma Corporation (AKP, Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, President: Kei Oe) and ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ Korea Inc. (Headquarters: Seoul, Korea, President: Cho Byoung Chic), a subsidiary of ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½. (Headquarters: Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, President and CEO: Haruo Naito), signed a license agreement for Vasodilator Eril® (Injectable formulation, generic name: fasudil hydrochloride). By this agreement, which was signed on March 23, 2007 by both companies, AKP will grant ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ Korea Inc. the right for development and marketing of Eril® in Korea. ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ Korea Inc. will start development of Eril® in Korea in order to submit an application for new drug approval in the region.

Eril® is indicated for prevention of cerebral vasospasm and ensuing cerebral ischemia following surgery for subarachnoid hemorrhage. Employing a new mechanism called a "Rho-Kinase" inhibiting activity, the drug prevents contraction of vascular smooth muscle and improves functional disorders associated with cerebral vasospasm or cerebral ischemia.

ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ Korea Inc. is actively expanding business development in the region including the globally marketed Alzheimer's disease treatment Aricept®. The addition of Eril® to the product lineup will bring greater synergy and enable further contributions for the benefits to patients. Meanwhile, AKP can utilize ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ Korea Inc.'s expertise in neurology field to achieve a rapid launch of the drug and widespread use by the patients in the region.

Introduction of Eril® to Korea, which will be made possible by this agreement following the market introduction of the product in China, will further enhance the corporate presence in their respective fields of focus and increase the recognition for Eril® in Korea for the greater benefits to the patients in the region.