- For Print
- June 15, 2021
Eisai Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Tokyo, CEO: Haruo Naito, “Eisai”) announced today that it has entered into an agreement to divest its rights for the antiepileptic agent Zonegran® (generic name: zonisamide) in Europe, the Middle East, Russia, and Australia to Advanz Pharma (Headquarters: London, CEO: Graeme Duncan).
Zonegran is an antiepileptic drug (AED) originally created by Dainippon Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (currently Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma Co., Ltd.), for which Eisai holds the exclusive rights in a number of European countries, the Middle East, Russia, Australia, Canada, Mexico, and Asian countries. Under this agreement, Eisai will divest its rights associated with Zonegran in such European countries, the Middle East, Russia, and Australia to Advanz Pharma. Eisai will continue to act as the distributor in Russia, through its local affiliate Limited Liability Company Eisai, and Australia through its local affiliate Eisai Australia Pty. Ltd., for an agreed transition period. In addition, Eisai and Advanz Pharma have agreed to enter into a supply agreement under which Eisai’s UK affiliate, Eisai Manufacturing Ltd., will serve as Advanz Pharma's supplier of Zonegran for the transferred territory for an agreed transition period.
Eisai will retain its rights to Zonegran in Canada, Mexico and Asian countries and continue to distribute the product in certain licensed Asian countries.
Eisai believes that this divestiture agreement with Advanz Pharma will lead to maximization of the antiepileptic agent's product value. In addition, the agreement will enable Eisai to strategically reallocate resources to other mid-to-long-term business growth areas so as to continue to make further contributions to address the diversified needs of, and increase the benefits provided to, patients and their families.
Media Inquiries:
Public Relations Department,
Eisai Co., Ltd.
+81-(0)3-3817-5120
[Notes to editors]
1. About ADVANZ PHARMA
ADVANZ PHARMA is a specialty pharmaceutical company with a strategic focus on complex medicines in Europe. With an agile and experienced team, including direct sales, marketing and medical capability across many of Europe's major markets, the Company supplies, innovates and enhances the critical medicines patients depend on, ensuring continued patient access and improving health outcomes.
ADVANZ PHARMA has expertise in the anti-infectives and endocrinology therapy areas, along with strong relationships with hospital decision makers, making it an attractive partner when commercialising complex medicines in Europe.
ADVANZ PHARMA has an operational headquarters in London, an operations centre of excellence in Mumbai, commercial affiliates in North America, Europe, and Australia, and an established global network of commercial partners throughout the rest of the world. For further information about ADVANZ PHARMA, visit www.advanzpharma.com.