Tokyo,May 22,2018 -MSD K.K. (head office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President: Jannie Oosthuizen; “MSD”) and Astellas Pharma Inc. (head office: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO; Kenji Yasukawa; “Astellas”) today announced the release of SUJANU® Combination Tablets co-developed by the two companies for the treatment of type-2 diabetes, combining the DPP-4 inhibitor sitagliptin phosphate hydrate (trade name: JANUVIA® Tablets) and the SGLT2 inhibitor ipragliflozin L-Proline (trade name: Suglat® Tablets).

SUJANU® Combination Tablets are once-daily oral tablets containing active ingredients of JANUVIA® Tablets, the first selective DPP-4 inhibitor in Japan manufactured and marketed by MSD, and Suglat® Tablets, the first selective SGLT2 inhibitor in Japan manufactured and marketed by Astellas. SUJANU® Combination Tablets selectively inhibit DPP-4 and increase the active incretin levels, thus demonstrating glucose-dependent glucose- lowering effect, while also selectively inhibiting SGLT2 and blocking renal glucose reuptake, thus demonstrating non-insulin-dependent glucose-lowering effect. With the two different mechanisms of action, the combination drug is expected to improve patients’ adherence and help them maintain and improve long-term stable control of blood glucose levels.

SUJANU® Combination Tablets will be manufactured and marketed by MSD and distributed by Astellas. MSD, Astellas, and Kotobuki Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (based on sales collaboration with Astellas) will jointly provide medical institutions with information.

MSD and Astellas expect that SUJANU® Combination Tablets will be a new option for the treatment of type-2 diabetes and further contribute to the treatment of diabetes.

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