Chugai transfers Monilac rights to Maruishi

Japanese drugmaker Chugai (TYO: 4519) today announced it will transfer to Maruishi Pharmaceuticals the business in Japan concerning the physiological intestinal function improving and hyperammonemia drug Monilac for which Chugai holds the manufacturing and marketing authorization in Japan.

Chugai, which is majority-owned by Swiss pharma giant Roche (ROG: SIX), has been marketing Monilac and providing information in Japan since 1975. In consideration of the maturity of its product lifecycle, Chugai has been considering its future domestic marketing.

As a result of discussions between Chugai and Maruishi, it was agreed that Chugai would transfer all assets relating to Monilac in Japan, including manufacturing and marketing authorization and intellectual property rights such as trademarks, to Maruishi, and Maruishi would thereafter be responsible for sales of the drug. Maruishi, which has strengths in the basic drug field, will strive to maximize the value of Monilac through synergy with its existing products.