Eisai Co., Ltd. /Myonal & Merision Assets/

Japanese drug major Eisai (TYO: 4523) today announced that it has entered into an agreement to divest its rights for muscle relaxant Myonal (eperisone hydrochloride) and vertigo and equilibrium disturbance treatment Merislon (betahistine mesilate) in Asia to a subsidiary of Switzerland-based DKSH Holding Ltd. DKSH recently partnered with life cycle management company Pharmanovia, to bring high-quality pharmaceutical products to patients across the Asia Pacific. Eisai noted that, in its Asia and Latin America Pharmaceuticals Business (ALA Region), it is shifting to a product portfolio centered on new global products in its strategic areas of neurology and oncology. Eisai believes that this divestiture will accelerate the pursuit of the best marketing mix in the ALA Region. Under the terms of the agreement, Eisai will receive an undisclosed contractual up-front payment, and also plans to supply the products. Eisai will retain its manufacturing rights to and continue to distribute the products in countries such as Japan, China and South Korea.