Sankyo Co., Ltd. (located in Chuo-ku, Tokyo; President: Takashi Shoda) is pleased to announce an agreement with Novartis AG (located in Basel, Switzerland; Chairman and CEO: Dr. Daniel Vasella) concerning the new anti-ulcer agent, CS-526, an Acid Pump Antagonist (APA) that is currently under development, and its backup compound. Under the agreement, Sankyo and Novartis will carry out the joint development and sales of CS-526 and its backup compound worldwide, with the exception of Japan and the Middle East.
CS-526 is a new APA that was created and produced by Sankyo and Ube Industries, Ltd. (located in Minato-ku, Tokyo; President: Kazumasa Tsunemi) and is currently under joint development by both companies. CS-526 is different from existing Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPI) in terms of structure and enzyme inhibition. It has anti-Helicobacter pylori action, and according to the findings of non-clinical tests, it offers superior benefits in comparison with existing drugs.
Under this agreement, Phase I clinical trials on normal healthy subjects were launched immediately. The tie-up with Novartis will not only enable the fast, efficient, and effective development of CS-526 throughout the world but is also intended to maximize the product's value.
