Singapore: India based drug giant Lupin pharmaceuticals Japanese subsidiary Kyowa recently inked a pact with Japan's Astellas pharma seeking exclusive rights to distribute and promote extended-release tablets of quetiapine fumarate in Japan. Founded in 1954, Kyowa Pharmaceutical Industry, is a pharmaceutical company, developing and manufacturing Branded & Generic pharmaceutical products for patients, in the Japanese market.

Astellas has submitted a new drug application (NDA) with the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare in Japan for extended-release tablets of quetiapine fumarate for the indication of improvement of depressive symptoms associated with bipolar disorder.

In a BSE filing, Lupin said "its Japanese subsidiary Kyowa Pharmaceutical Industry Co Ltd and Astellas Pharma Inc have entered into an agreement providing Kyowa the exclusive right to distribute and promote extended-release tablets of quetiapine fumarate in Japan. When Astellas obtains an approval for the new drug application of extended-release tablets of quetiapine fumarate, based on the agreement, Kyowa will exclusively distribute and promote the products in Japan."

Lupin President, Asia Pacific & Japan, Dr Fabrice Egros said the Astellas agreement reinforces Kyowa's transition toward a hybrid pharmaceutical specialty care company and bolsters its leadership in the CNS space in Japan.Post regulatory approval for the product, we hope to bring to market a new solution for the treatment of depressive symptoms associated with bipolar disorder addressing unmet need for patients as well as provide additional treatment option for health care professionals in Japan."

According to WHO statistics depression is a common illness worldwide, with more than 300 million people affected. Depression is different from usual mood fluctuations and short-lived emotional responses to challenges in everyday life. Especially when long-lasting and with moderate or severe intensity, depression may become a serious health condition. Depression is a common illness worldwide, with more than 300 million people affected. Depression is different from usual mood fluctuations and short-lived emotional responses to challenges in everyday life. Especially when long-lasting and with moderate or severe intensity, depression may become a serious health condition.