Astellas Pharma Inc. (“Astellas Pharma”; Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Yoshihiko Hatanaka) and sanofi-aventis K.K. (“sanofi-aventis”; Headquarters: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director and President: Jez Moulding) announced that Astellas Pharma will transfer the rights to distribute the injectable antibiotics Targocid® (generic name: teicoplanin) and the treatment for peptic ulcer and gastritis Maalox® (generic name: dried aluminum hydroxide gel and magnesium hydroxide) to sanofi-aventis effective on January 1, 2012. This transfer of distribution rights is taking place based on the expiration of the contract.
<Products for which distribution rights will be transferred>
◆ Targocid for injection 200 mg (injectable antibiotic)
◆ Maalox combination granules for suspension (treatment for peptic ulcer and gastritis)
Targocid® is a glycopeptide antimicrobial agent effective against methicillin -resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), a major causative agent of hospital-acquired infections, and is also indicated for children. Maalox® is a gastrointestinal drug for the treatment of symptoms associated with gastric/duodenal ulcer, gastritis and other gastrointestinal disorders.
The impact of this transfer has been considered in Astellas Pharma’s financial forecast on the current fiscal year ending March 2012.
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