Nippon Boehringer Ingelheim and Astellas said that they are committed to further contribute to the treatment of hypertension by further enhancing the promotion of the Micardis family.
Micardis family is composed of the currently marketed product line-up of Micardis (telmisartan monotherapy), Micombi (fixed dose combination of telmisartan and hydrochlorothiazide), and a new fixed dose combination with calcium channel blocker amlodipine, which is awaiting marketing approval in Japan.
Micardis and Micombi are manufactured by Nippon Boehringer Ingelheim, distributed by Astellas, and co-promoted by both companies in Japan. Telmisartan is currently marketed in approximately 90 countries, including Japan, USA and European countries.
Katsuro Yamada, senior corporate executive of sales & marketing at Astellas, said: “The achievements with the Micardis family to date encouraged Nippon Boehringer Ingelheim and Astellas to seek new agreements beyond the current contracted term which ends in December 2012. The new agreements are expected to extend the partnership until December 2016.”
Gerrard McKenna, head of prescription medicine of Nippon Boehringer Ingelheim, said: “Considering the still unmet needs in the treatment of hypertension and the profile of the Micardis family, both partners believe that the new agreements will maximise the positive contribution to the treatment of hypertension.”
The term of current contracts is expected to end in December 2012, but pursuant to the new contracts, the partnership is expected to continue through December 2016.