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°®¶¹´«Ã½. (Headquarters: Tokyo, President & CEO: Haruo Naito) announced today that it has concluded an exclusive license agreement with Teikoku Seiyaku Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Kagawa, President & CEO: Shosaku Murayama, “Teikoku Seiyaku”) concerning the research, development and marketing of a new transdermal formulation of Aricept® (an adhesive skin patch containing either donepezil hydrochloride or donepezil) for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease in Japan.

The agreement was concluded following Eisai's decision to exercise its option to enter an exclusive Japan license agreement to research, develop and market the Aricept® transdermal formulation, for which Eisai will supply the active pharmaceutical ingredients for clinical and non-clinical use and Teikoku Seiyaku will develop. By exercising this option, Eisai will now be able to pursue the research, development and later the marketing of the new formulation in Japan.

The Aricept® transdermal formulation is characterized by the fact that it is unaffected by diet, gastrointestinal absorption or metabolism and that stable blood concentration levels are sustained over long periods of time. This means that even patients who have trouble swallowing or who have an aversion to taking oral formulations can easily use the new patch, which Eisai anticipates will lead to improved drug compliance amongst patients as well as a reduction in the burden on caregivers who help patients take their medicine.

The conclusion of the license agreement demonstrates Eisai's commitment to providing the Aricept® transdermal formulation as a new dosing option for mild-to-severe Alzheimer's disease patients, their families and caregivers, adding to its existing Aricept® product portfolio comprising film-coated tablets, fine granules, orally-disintegrating tablets and an oral jelly formulation, as well as for patients with a reduced ability to swallow. Eisai will draw on its abundant experience accumulated thus far and make further contributions to improving the quality of life (QOL) of patients, families and caregivers living with Alzheimer's disease.