TMX-67, an oral, once-daily, highly potent, non-purine selective inhibitor of xanthine oxidase, with a structure different from allopurinol, lowers the level of uric acid in the blood of hyperuricemic patients suffering from gout, Teijin Pharma said.
Takeda Canada, a division of Takeda Pharmaceutical, is marketing the product under the brand name ULORIC in Japan.
Takeda Pharmaceutical’s wholly owned US subsidiary Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America (TPNA), which has an exclusive contract with Teijin Pharma to develop and market TMX-67 in North America, received approval for TMX-67 from Health Canada prior to the launch.
In Europe, sales are being handled by Ipsen of France, the TMX-67 licensee in Europe, and its sublicensee the Menarini Group.
In Asia, SK Chemicals is conducting clinical studies for the Korean market.
Teijin Pharma signed an exclusive distributorship agreement with Astellas Pharma Taiwan, for the Taiwanese market in May 2009, as well as with Astellas Pharma China and Astellas Pharma Hong Kong for the Chinese and Hong Kong markets respectively in April 2010.
In Japan, Teijin Pharma resubmitted a new drug application in December 2009.