Eisai Co. Ltd., the Japan-based pharmaceutical firm, has reportedly announced that it will acquire manufacturing and marketing rights of ‘Equfina 50mg’ tablets in Japan from Meiji Seika Pharma Co. Ltd.
Developed for Parkinson's disease treatment, Meiji conducted clinical trials of the drug and obtained its marketing and manufacturing approval in September 2019. Since then, Eisai has sold Equfina in Japan as a distributor.
As per the license agreement inked between Meiji and Eisai, Eisai will take over the manufacturing and marketing approval of the drug from September 23, 2020. Eisai, a distributor, and manufacturer of the drug in Japan will continue to offer information on the usage of Equfina.
Sources cite that after the completion of the transfer, Eisai will continue to provide Equfina in the forthcoming period. The company will further contribute to enhancing the QOL of patients and allowing their families to develop a vibrant daily life.
Equfina is a new option of treatment for Parkinson's disease therapy developed as once-daily oral therapy. It is a reversible and selective MAO-B (monoamine oxidase B) inhibitor that helpful in maintaining the density of exogenous dopamine and endogenous dopamine from levodopa-containing drugs in the brain.
Moreover, the drug blocks voltage-reliant sodium ion channels and impede glutamate release. In the clinical trials conducted in Japan for Parkinson's disease patients who were undergoing treatment with a drug comprising levodopa, the extension of levodopa's duration of effect of one hour or more and enhancement of motor functions were demonstrated.
For the record, Meiji Seika Pharma specialty and generic pharmaceuticals firm committed to improve and protect people’s lives and health. The company operates its pharmaceutical business in two major fields: central nervous system disorders and infectious disease, as well as generic drugs. The company strives to respond to expanded medical needs and to donate to the well-being of people across the globe.