Japan-based pharmaceutical companies Eisai Co Ltd.,and Fuji Yakuhin Co Ltd announced on Tuesday that they have concluded a license agreement concerning dotinurad (generic name), a treatment for hyperuricemia and gout discovered by Fuji Yakuhin,

The agreement is for development and distribution of the product in five ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) member states: Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, and Thailand. This agreement conclusion will lead to an expansion into Southeast Asia of an agreement regarding dotinurad in China concluded by Eisai and Fuji Yakuhin in February 2020.

Based on this agreement, Eisai will acquire exclusive development and marketing rights for dotinurad in the said five countries from Fuji Yakuhin. Fuji Yakuhin will retain responsibility for manufacturing the formulation of dotinurad, and supply to Eisai. Eisai will be responsible for New Drug Applications for dotinurad in the said five countries and pay Fuji Yakuhin an upfront payment and sales milestones.

In Japan, Fuji Yakuhin obtained manufacturing and marketing approval for dotinurad in January 2020 and launched it in May 2020.