March 27, 2007

The Pharmaceutical Society of Japan Award for Drug Research and Development '07 received for antipsychotic drug "aripiprazole "

Tokyo, Japan -- Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan; President: Tatsuo Higuchi) today announced that its CNS Research Group received "The Pharmaceutical Society of Japan Award for Drug Research and Development '07" for the development of its innovative atypical antipsychotic, "aripiprazole" (product name: Abilify^®.)

"The Pharmaceutical Society of Japan Award for Drug Research and Development" recognizes original research outcomes that contribute to medical practice and are innovative from the viewpoints of drug discovery research and development of the related applied technology in pharmacology. As well as drug efficacy and usefulness, the assessment criteria also include originality of the research, novelty of the mechanism of action and medical and technological innovation. Since the award was inaugurated in 1988, Otsuka has now received the award for the second time following "cilostazol." Furthermore, no other antipsychotics have been chosen in the almost 20-year history of this award before aripiprazole.

Abilify^®, with a completely novel mechanism of action, is well characterized as a Dopamine System Stabilizer (DSS). Unlike existing drugs, this particular atypical antipsychotic drug acts as a partial agonist towards dopamine D₂ receptor.

Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. discovered Abilify^® in 1988, developed the drug, and obtained marketing authorization in the U.S. with the initial indication of treatment of schizophrenia, in November 2002. It is currently marketed in more than 45 countries and regions worldwide including Japan, and its global sales in 2006 topped $1.9 billion (USD).

“We have strived to research and develop psychotherapeutic drugs based on the corporate philosophy of contributing to people's health through the development of innovative drugs. I am very delighted at having participated in the discovery of a new compound with a mechanism of action different from conventional drugs” said Dr. Oshiro, the basic researcher who played a central role in the discovery of Abilify^®. “I hope Abilify^® would prove a great boon to all those suffering with mental disorders and for their families.”

Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. strives to contribute to the health of people around the world based on its corporate philosophy of "Otsuka - People creating new products for better health worldwide."

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