launch of new asthma drug

1st LAUNCH OF NEW ASTHMA DRUG

The first compound in a new class of anti-asthma drugs has now been launched onto the market in Japan. On June 1, Kissei Pharmaceutical introduced Domenan (ozagrel HCl), a thromboxane A2 synthetase inhibitor, as an oral treatment for bronchial asthma. The drug was developed in conjunction with originator Ono Pharmaceutical, which has also started marketing it under the trade name Vega.

Thromboxane A2 is a substance believed to exacerbate airway hypersensitivity, one of the fundamental pathological processes implicated in bronchial asthma. Kissei and Ono submitted New Drug Application dossiers for ozagrel HCl to the Japanese regulatory authorities in June 1990. According to Kissei, sales of the drug in the first year are expected to reach 4 billion yen, rising to 7 billion yen in 1993-4.