Santen Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (based in Osaka, henceforth referred to as Santen) and Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation (also based in Osaka, henceforth referred to as Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma) have recently inked a collaboration agreement aimed at jointly promoting Alesion® Eyelid Cream 0.5% (generic name: epinastine hydrochloride, development code: STN1011402; hereinafter referred to as Alesion® Cream) in Japan. This cream serves as a long-acting remedy for allergic conjunctivitis.
Having obtained manufacturing and marketing approval for Alesion® Cream in Japan in March 2024, Santen is gearing up for a swift market launch following the listing of its National Health Insurance price. Per the terms of the contract, Santen will be responsible for the manufacturing and distribution of the product. The collaboration officially commenced on May 7, 2024, with both companies coordinating efforts to detail medical institutions.
Under the agreement, Santen will oversee detailing for ophthalmic medical institutions, while Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma will handle detailing for medical institutions specializing in other fields. It’s worth noting that the existing contracts between the two companies for the joint sales promotion of the anti-allergic eyedrops “Alesion® LX Ophthalmic Solution 0.1%” and “Alesion® Ophthalmic Solution 0.05%”, which have been in place since 2019, are set to expire by the end of May 2024. Subsequently, Santen will exclusively provide drug information services for them starting June 2024.
Allergic conjunctivitis, commonly treated with anti-allergy eye drops, often requires multiple daily applications. Alesion® Cream, however, stands out as the world’s pioneering cream treatment for allergic conjunctivitis, requiring just one application per day to the periocular area. This innovation, developed by Santen, aims to alleviate the treatment burden on patients and enhance adherence. Its active ingredient, epinastine hydrochloride, acts as a histamine H1 receptor antagonist, effectively suppressing the release of chemical mediators from mast cells.
Clinical trials, including a Phase III Conjunctival Allergen Challenge trial conducted in Japan, have demonstrated the cream’s superiority over placebo eyelid cream in alleviating key symptoms such as pruritus and conjunctival hyperemia. Moreover, long-term administration trials have reported minimal adverse reactions, further affirming its safety profile.
This collaboration between Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma, known for its allergy treatment agent Rupafin® Tablets 10 mg, and Santen, renowned for its specialization in eye health, is poised to expand the accessibility of this innovative allergic conjunctivitis treatment to a wider network of medical institutions. Ultimately, this joint effort aims to enhance patients’ quality of life.
About Alesion® Cream 0.5%:
- Product name: Alesion® Eyelid Cream 0.5%
- Generic name (JAN): Epinastine hydrochloride
- Dosage form: Cream
- Indication: Allergic conjunctivitis
- Dosage: Once daily administration to the upper and lower eyelids
- Alesion® is a registered trademark of Boehringer Ingelheim KG.
About Santen: Santen, dedicated to eye health, envisions a world where “Happiness with Vision” is a reality for all. With over 130 years of commitment to improving eye health, Santen operates globally, offering pharmaceutical products, research, and services in the field of eye care. Its mission is to deliver significant value to patients and society by preventing, diagnosing, and treating eye diseases. With a focus on patient well-being, Santen aims to create a future where everyone can experience “Happiness with Vision.”
