Astellas predecessor, Fujisawa Healthcare and Daiichi Asubio Pharma's predecessor, Daiichi Suntory Pharma executed the license agreement in May, 2003.
Astellas had conducted some clinical trials using carperitide in the US but after reassessing competitive circumstances and market potential, decided to discontinue carperitide development. As a result of this decision, both parties have agreed to terminate the license agreement. The drug was in the second of three stages of clinical studies needed for US approval.
Carperitide has been sold as Hanp in Japan to treat acute heart failure for more than a decade.