`
`July 17, 2001
`
`TANABE SEIYAKU Granted Rights for Bepotastine Besilate
`For Ophtalmic Use to SENJU SEIYAKU (JAPAN)
`
`Tanabe Seiyaku Co., Ltd. (Mr. Toshio Tanaka, President and CEO) announced today that Tanabe Seiyaku
`has granted a right to Senju Seiyaku Co., Ltd. (Mr. Shoji Yoshida, President) for bepotastine besilate which
`is an active ingredient of the anti-allergic product, TALION of Tanabe Seiyaku. Senju receives an
`exclusive worldwide right, except for some Asian countries, to develop, manufacture and market for
`ophthalmic use.
`
`Bopotasitine besilate has been originally synthesized and identified by Ube Industries, Ltd. (Mr.
`Kazumasa Tsunemi, President). Ube Industries and Tanabe Seiyaku has jointly developed and launched as
`TALION tablets for treatment of allergic rhinitis last October in Japan. Since bepotastine besilate has a
`strong histamine antagonistic action as well as an inhibitory action of migration of eosinophils (a kind of
`leucocytes) to inflamed tissues, it is expected to be effective against main symptoms such as itching in
`seasonal allergic conjunctivitis caused by pollens as well as perennial allergic conjunctivitis caused by
`house dusts etc. Furthermore, bepotastine besilate is rich in water solubility, and suitable for applying
`eye-drop products.
`
`As a pioneer in the ophthalmic area, Senju is eager to develop innovative products and has excellent
`expertise and experiences as a specialized company in this area.
`
`Tanabe Seiyaku has already licensed out ecabet sodium (an agent for treatment of gastritis and gastric
`ulcer as GASTROM in Japan) for treatment of dry eyes to Senju. Ecabet sodium is currently under
`development by Senju. Therefore, this new license for bepotastine besilate is the second collaboration
`between both companies.
`
`For further information, please contact:
`Corporate Communications Division.
`Osaka
`Tel: +81-6-6205-5211 Fax: +81-6-6205-5105
`Tokyo
`Tel: +81-3-3230-6757 Fax: +81-3-3230-6888
`
`MYLAN Ex. 1008