Singapore: Eisai, a Japanese pharmaceutical company, is seeking to expand its global network by opening a new office in Australia. The new outlet will serve as a platform to market Eisai's oncology and epilepsy products, leading with breast cancer treatment-Halaven (erbulin) and epilepsy drug Fycompa (perampanel).

"Australia has a distinctive healthcare system," said Mr Gary Hendler, president and CEO of Eisai, "Halaven has received reimbursement in Australia recently, and is one of the few breast cancer treatments to be approved by the Australian Pharmaceuticals Benefits Scheme (PBS) in the recent years."

The drug is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer that has progressed after at least two chemotherapeutic regimens for advanced disease. Dr John Bower, market access and medical director of Eisai Australia said that Eisai has an interesting pipeline of drugs that can offer solutions to many un-met medical needs of Australia.