BRIEF—Daiichi Sankyo launches generic of Fentos Tape

Following marketing approval on February 18 and now listing in the National Health Insurance (NHI) reimbursement price list, Daiichi Sankyo (TYO: 4568) says it has launched fentanyl citrate tape in Japan today.

The tape is a once-daily transdermal opioid analgesic for treatment of moderate to severe cancer pain, and is a generic formulation of Fentos Tape from fellow Japanese drugmaker Kyowa Hakko Kirin (TYO: 4151).

Kyukyu Pharmaceutical will handle manufacturing, and Daiichi Sankyo will handle marketing and promotion activities, for this product.

Daiichi Sankyo expects that the release of the tape will help to expand its product line up of opioid analgesics and will offer a novel treatment option to patients suffering from cancer pain and healthcare providers in Japan, thus contributing to advances in medicine.