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Kyowa Hakko Kogyo Co., Ltd. (Head office in Tokyo; President: Tadashi Hirata) proudly announces that its new antiallergic agent, Allelock (generic name: olopatadine hydrochloride), will be launched in Japan on March 6th, 2001.
This new antiallergic agent, which the Company has developed independently, exhibits its therapeutic efficacy mainly through antihistaminic effects. Allelock not only blocks histamine receptor potently and selectively, but also has inhibitory effects on histamine release and inhibits the release of various chemical mediators such as leukotriene and tachykinin.
Twice daily oral administration of Allelock 5-mg tablets has been shown to be highly effective against the three main symptoms of allergic rhinitis (sneezing, nasal discharge, and nasal obstruction), urticaria, and itching skin diseases (eczema, dermatitis, prurigo, cutaneous pruritus, vulgar psoriasis, and multiform exudative erythema). It is noteworthy that Allelock is the first antiallergic agent to be approved for the indication of "multiform exudative erythema."
Allelock causes fewer side effects such as sleepiness and malaise that are commonly found with antiallergic agents, and there have been few cases of "dry mouth" which is presumably attributable to an anticholinergic effect. With poor transfer to the brain, the drug is considered to have little influence on the central nervous system. After oral administration, most of the dose is excreted through the kidney, so that drug interactions are less likely to occur. The maximum blood concentration is achieved about one hr after administration, which warrants a fast onset of action.
Having high therapeutic efficacy, Allelock is the first antiallergic agent that has been given "Premium for Usefulness (II)," and its National Health Insurance (NHI) reimbursement price has been fixed at ¥89.9/5-mg tablet.
In Japan, allergic rhinitis is estimated to affect around 15 million people (of whom 5 million are treated at medical institutions), dermatitis and eczema 0.55 million people, and atopic dermatitis 0.4 million people; the market for antiallergic agents is said to be worth about ¥150 billion. With much expectation that Kyowa's original product, Allelock, will make great profits, the sales target in the first year (from launch to the end of March 2002) is ¥10 billion/year, and sales at the peak are expected to reach ¥20 billion/year.
The Company has recently introduced mobile personal computers in order to enable its medical representatives to perform sales activities more efficiently. By making the best use of this system, we will exert our utmost efforts in sales promotion.
Currently, people are exposed to so many allergens, including ticks, molds, and the pollens of cedar, Hinoki cypress, etc., throughout the year that allergic diseases such as atopic dermatitis are prevalent increasingly. Under the slogan "Block a wide range of allergies effectively," we will vigorously pursue sales promotion of Allelock that will relieve various allergic symptoms and benefit patients with allergic diseases greatly.
* Certain sections of this press release contain forward-looking statements using words such as expect and estimate. Such expectations are based on information presently available and are subject to various risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those currently anticipated.
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