Eisai Diagnostics Subsidiary EIDIA Enters Into Sales Agreements with Medical Equipment Manufacturers for PROTOCO2L Carbon Dioxide Insufflation System for CT Colonography

Eisai Co., Ltd.
EIDIA Co., Ltd.

Eisai Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Tokyo, President & CEO: Haruo Naito, “Eisai”) and its diagnostics subsidiary EIDIA Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Tokyo, President & CEO: Keisuke Watanabe, “EIDIA”) announced today that EIDIA entered into two separate agreements with medical equipment manufacturers Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation (Headquarters: Tochigi, President & CEO: Satoshi Tsunakawa, “Toshiba Medical Systems”) and GE Healthcare Japan Corporation (Headquarters: Tokyo, President: Jun Kawakami, “GE Healthcare Japan”) on April 2 for Japan sales of PROTOCO2L, a carbon dioxide insufflation system for CT (computed tomographic) colonography, and carbon dioxide insufflation tube PROTOCO2L Catheter Set (collectively referred to as “the Product”), both of which are currently marketed by EIDIA.

The Product is used in CT colonography, a minimally invasive colorectal examination performed to detect lesions such as colorectal cancer through the use of CT imaging without requiring the insertion of a colonoscope into the colon. It uses medical carbon dioxide that is readily absorbed by the bowel, which allows for consistent distension of the large intestine and minimization of the discomfort incurred by patients during the procedure.

Carbon dioxide insufflation systems are widely utilized in both the United States and Europe in CT colonography as a useful screening tool for detecting and diagnosing colorectal cancer in its early stages. EIDIA launched the Product as the first system of its kind in Japan on August 22, 2011 to address the significant needs that existed in the medical setting.

The conclusion of the agreements will see the new addition of Toshiba Medical Systems and GE Healthcare Japan, both of which are major sellers of CT equipment in Japan, as powerful sales channels, and is expected to further contribute to the widespread use of CT colonography in colorectal exams and the early detection of colorectal cancer in Japan.

With a view to further fulfilling its corporate mission of human health care (hhc), the Eisai Group established a new Eisai Japan organizational structure in June 2010 to formulate and implement comprehensive strategies across its four Japan business segments comprising prescription pharmaceuticals, consumer healthcare products, diagnostics, and generics. By providing a wide range of information and products related to all aspects of integrative oncology, one of the Group's defined areas of therapeutic focus, Eisai and EIDIA seek to make further contributions to increasing the benefits provided to patients.

[ Please refer to the following notes for a product outline, screening characteristics,
a glossary of terms, and company outlines ]

Colorectal cancer refers to a malignant tumor that forms in the large intestine. In Japan, it is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in men, and the number one cause of cancer-related deaths in women. For women in particular, it is the most common form of cancer in terms of mortality rate and number of deaths. In contrast, early detection through health checkups is said to be effective in patients with three types of cancer, namely breast cancer, endometrial cancer and colorectal cancer. Periodical health checkups are therefore an extremely important means of detecting colorectal cancer in its early stages.

CT Colonography is a diagnostic procedure that uses a computer to process data captured using computed tomography to create a three-dimensional image of the large intestine using multiple image display methods for visual evaluation of the organ from a variety of angles.