Sosei Signs Definitive Distribution Agreement With ASKA for Commercialisation
of SOH-075 (NorLevo(R))

TOKYO , Nov. 2 /CNW/ - ("Sosei"; TSE Mothers Index: 4565), the biopharmaceutical company, today announced that Sosei Co., Ltd., its wholly owned Japanese subsidiary, has entered into a definitive distribution agreement with ASKA Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd. ("ASKA", TSE First Section Index: 4514) for the commercialisation of the emergency contraceptive pill SOH-075 (NorLevo(R)).

NorLevo(R) is an oral emergency contraceptive "morning after pill" which is used to prevent unwanted pregnancy after unprotected intercourse. NorLevo(R) contains only levonorgestrel as an active ingredient. The dosing is started within 72 hours after unprotected sexual intercourse. NorLevo(R) was first launched in Europe in 1999 and is currently approved in some 60 countries, the product being both safe and effective as an oral emergency contraceptive for post-coital use.

Sosei have acquired the exclusive distribution rights to the product in Japan from HRA Pharma. The NDA application for SOH-075 was submitted in Japan in September 2009 .

The agreement is based on the terms of a binding letter of agreement that was announced on 22 October 2008 . According to this agreement, Sosei is responsible for development and registration and ASKA for sales and marketing.

In accordance with the agreement, Sosei will receive upfront, milestone payments as well as a margin on product sales to ASKA.

    
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    About Sosei
    

Sosei is a leading international biopharmaceutical company with significant expertise in product discovery and development. It has established a reduced risk business model primarily upon identifying new uses for established drugs and exploiting its unique position within Japanese, European and North American pharmaceutical markets by acquiring compounds from, and bringing compounds into, Japan . For further information about Sosei, please visit http://www.sosei.com.

For further information: Tokyo office: Hidetoshi TORAMI, [phone], [email protected]; London Office: Yumi YAMAMOTO, Manager, Finance and IR Europe, [phone]