Eisai launches gastrointestinal prokinetic agent Cidine in China

Japanese drug major Eisai’s (TYO: 4523) China subsidiary has launched the gastrointestinal prokinetic agent Cidine (cinitapride) in China.

Cidine is a gastrointestinal prokinetic agent discovered by Spain’s Almirall (ALM: MC). Under the terms of a license agreement signed with Almirall in March 2010, Eisai acquired exclusive rights to develop, manufacture and market the agent in China. Eisai obtained approval for the agent in China for the indication to improve the symptoms of early satiety, postprandial fullness discomfort and abdominal bloating for mild-to-moderate functional dyspepsia.

By acting upon the serotonin 4 (5-HT4) receptors of the nerve plexus in the alimentary tract, Cidine increases the release of acetylcholine, and its mild antidopaminergic activity also stimulates the release of acetylcholine and contributes to the therapeutic effect. Acetylcholine increases motor and secretory activity throughout the digestive system, thereby improving gastrointestinal function.

The Chinese pharmaceutical market is the second largest market in the world after the USA, and in 2015 was worth $115.2 billion and growing at a rate of 7% on a local currency basis, maintaining high growth. Eisai considers China as a key region for driving its global business and is working to expand business that addresses not only its global areas of therapeutic focus, but also its franchise tailored to the local disease structures in China.

Gastrointestinal franchise is one such area, and the launch of Cidine will further strengthen the company's existing gastrointestinal product portfolio together with the currently marketed proton pump inhibitor Pariet (rabeprazole), gastritis/gastric ulcer treatment Selbex (teprenone) and hepatic disease/allergic disease agents Stronger Neo-Minophagen C and Glycyron Tablets.

Through the launch of Cidine, Eisai seeks to make further contributions to address the diversified needs of and increase the benefits provided to patients suffering from gastrointestinal diseases in China.