Linzess launches in Japan

24 March 2017

Japanese drug major Astellas Pharma (TYO: 4503) says it launched a guanylate cyclase-C (GC-C) receptor agonist, Linzess(linaclotide) tablets for irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C) in Japan.

Astellas entered into a license agreement with Ironwood Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: IRWD) in 2009 and was granted exclusive rights to develop and commercialize linaclotide in Japan. Astellas obtained marketing approval for Linzess in Japan in December 2016 for patients with IBS-C. That approval generated a milestone payment of $15 million for Ironwood.

Astellas expects that the launch of Linzess will help patients in Japan who are suffering from IBS-C by providing a new therapeutic option.

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