BRIEF—MSD and Astellas conclude co-promotion deal in Japan for type 2 diabetes combo drug

Through its Japanese subsidiary MSD KK, US pharma giant Merck & Co has concluded a co-promotion agreement with Astellas Pharma for a combination drug of the DPP-4 inhibitor sitagliptin phosphate hydrate (brand name Januvia) and the SGLT2 inhibitor ipragliflozin L-Proline (brand name Suglat) for the treatment of type-2 diabetes in Japan .

The two companies concluded a basic agreement on co-development and co-commercialization of the drug in Japan in 2015. MSD has submitted an application for the treatment of type-2 diabetes in Japan.

MSD will obtain the marketing approval for the drug, and Astellas will distribute it. MSD and Astellas will jointly provide information to medical institutions according to the agreement.

Januvia Tablet is the first selective DPP-4 inhibitor in Japan manufactured and marketed by MSD.

Suglat Tablet is the first selective SGLT2 inhibitor in Japan manufactured and marketed by Astellas.

The combination of these two drugs with different mechanisms of action for the treatment of type-2 diabetes is expected to improve adherence by reducing patients’ burden of taking drugs.