Taiho Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd and Nordic Group BV Enter Into a Development and Commercialization Agreement for the Recently EMA Approved Anti-Cancer Drug Teysuno[TM] Covering the EU and Other Selected

Paris (ots/PRNewswire) -

Taiho Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. and Nordic Group BV (Head office:
Hoofddorp, the Netherlands ; CEO and Managing Director: Drs. Hans
Schram) have entered into an agreement to support the ongoing
development and commercialization of Teysuno[TM] in the EU and other
selected European countries. Teysuno[TM], a novel oral anti-cancer
agent, recently received Marketing Authorization from the EMA for the
treatment of adults with advanced gastric cancer when given in
combination with cisplatin (March 14, 2011), which will form the
basis of its commercial entry into this region.

Under this agreement Nordic will acquire an exclusive right to
commercialize Teysuno[TM] in their territory and will become the
Marketing Authorization Holder.

Nordic will combine its strong track record of success for
entering new specialty pharmaceutical markets with its commitment to
immediately develop a leading oncology business unit in Europe to
ensure doctors and patients throughout the region will soon benefit
from their access to Teysuno[TM], an important new addition to the
treatment of advanced gastric cancer.

The agreement has been structured to encourage and support a
strong collaborative environment between the companies from which
Taiho's extensive experience with Teysuno in Japan and other
countries in Asia will be immediately and seamlessly available to the
partnership.

About Teysuno

Teysuno(TM) was authorised for the treatment of gastric cancer in
Japan in 1999. Teysuno(TM) is also authorized for patients with
gastric cancer in South Korea, China, Singapore and Taiwan. To date,
Teysuno(TM) has been used by more than 870,000 patients in Japan and
Asia.

A member of the fluoropyrimidine class of anticancer agents,
Teysuno(TM) is a combination of three pharmacological compounds. The
main active substance in Teysuno, tegafur, is a prodrug of a chemical
called 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), meaning that it is converted in the
body to 5-FU. In the body, 5-FU interferes with the enzymes involved
in making DNA. As a result, it can prevent the growth of cancer cells
or result in cell death.[1]

The two other active substances in Teysuno(TM) allow tegafur to
be effective at lower doses and with fewer side effects.
Specifically, gimeracil prevents the breakdown of 5-FU and oteracil
reduces the activity of 5-FU in normal, non-cancerous tissue in the
gut.

About Taiho Pharmaceutical

Taiho Pharmaceutical, a subsidiary of Otsuka Holdings Co., Ltd.,
is an R&D-driven specialty pharma focusing on the three fields of
oncology, allergies and immunology, and urology. Its corporate
philosophy takes the form of a pledge: "We strive to improve human
health and contribute to the enrichment of society." In the field of
oncology in particular, Taiho Pharmaceutical is known as a leading
company in Japan and around the world for developing evidence-based
medicines for the treatment of cancer. In areas other than oncology,
as well, the company creates quality products that effectively treat
medical conditions and can help improve people's quality of life.
Always putting customers first, Taiho Pharmaceutical also aims to
offer over-the-counter medicinal products that support people's
efforts to lead fulfilling and rewarding lives.

For more information about Taiho Pharmaceutical, please visit
http://www.taiho.co.jp/english/

About Otsuka Holdings Co., Ltd.

The Otsuka Group is a diversified healthcare group operating
globally under the corporate philosophy 'Otsuka-people creating new
products for better health worldwide'. The Otsuka Group has business
operations in 23 countries and regions around the world, and its
consolidated sales for fiscal 2010 is Yen1,090.2 billion.

For more information, please visit the company's website at
http://www.otsuka.com/en/.

About Nordic Group BV

The Nordic Group is a privately owned, fast growing, fully
integrated, pan-European Pharmaceutical company, with a strong focus
on the development and commercialization of niche hospital and orphan
products and services that cater to the specific needs of clients and
patients. In addition to its sales and marketing companies in 13
European countries, operating under the name of Nordic Pharma and
Nordic Drugs, the Nordic Group operates as well a number of
specialized Pharmaceutical Services companies, specialized in product
development, manufacturing, supply logistics, clinical studies and
regulatory activities. These companies are operating under the name
of Prague Clinical Services, QPharma, Disphar and Indeus. Since its
creation, Nordic has enjoyed an average growth of 20% in revenues,
and it pursues its expansion through organic growth and strategic
collaborations. Additional information can be obtained by visiting
Nordic Group's website at http://www.nordicpharmagroup.com.

1. EPAR Summary for the Public: Teysuno (draft). EMA/467/2011,
EMEA/H/C/001242. London, UK: European Medicines Agency, January 2011.

contact

Hans Schram, CEO & Managing Director, info@nordicpharma.com

Stéphane Altaba, Director Corp. Bus. Dev.,
busdev@nordicpharma.com

ots Originaltext: Nordic Group and Taiho Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd
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