Tokyo, Mar 13, 2009 - (ACN Newswire) - HI-Eisai Pharmaceutical Inc., a subsidiary in the Philippines of Eisai Co., Ltd., announced today that the Bureau of
Food and Drugs (BFAD) approved Clevudine (generic name) for the inhibition of virus replication in chronic hepatitis
B patients (HbeAg positive or HbeAg negative) with evidence of active viral replication and elevations in serum
aminotransferases (ALT or AST). Eisai will market the drug under a brand name of REVOVIR in the Philippines.

Clevudine is an antiviral drug with aninhibitory effect on DNA polymerase for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B.
In the Philippines, about 8 million people are believed to be infected with hepatitis B. With its potent and
sustained anti-viral effect, Clevudine is expected to be a new treatment option for patients with deterioration in
liver function caused by hepatitis B.

Eisai obtained exclusive right to develop, manufacture and market Clevudine in eight Asian countries including China
from Bukwang Pharma, a South Koreanpharmaceutical company, and has been developing Clevudine in those countries. The
Philippines is the first country among them to approve Clevudine for marketing. Eisai is currently expediting the
development or proceeding with the preparations forfiling for approval of Clevudine in the remainder of the
countries.

Eisai develops and markets drugs for liver diseases that include Stronger Neo-Minophagen C(R), Glycyron(R) and
Livact(R) in China and other Asian countries. Eisai will continueto make further contributions to improving QOL and
benefits to patients with liver diseases in Asia.

About HI-Eisai Pharmaceutical Inc.

Corporate Name:      HI-Eisai Pharmaceutical Inc.
Office:              Makati City, the Philippines
Date of Fo
undation:  July 1974
Paid-in Capital:     56,250 thousand PHP (as of 30 of September, 2008)
Business:            Distributor/Importer and Trader of pharmaceutical products
President:           Lourdes Magno






Eisai licensed territories for Clevudine include China, Philippines, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand,
Vietnam.

About Clevudine

Clevudine is an antiviral drug developed for the treatment of hepatitis B. It exerts its anti-HBVeffect by
inhibiting DNA polymerase, which is necessary for the virus to be replicated. It is also believed to decrease ccc DNA 
(covalently closed circular DNA, which is a template DNA for viral replication) in the liver cells. Potent and
sustained anti-HBV effect of Clevudine is attributed to these mechanisms of action. Clevudine was also approved in
South Korea back in 2006 and is currently being marketed by Bukwang Pharma.

About Eisai

Eisai Co., Ltd. (TSE: 4523; ADR: ESALY) is a research-based human health care company that discovers, develops and
markets products in more than 30 countries. Through a global network of research facilities, manufacturing sites and
marketing subsidiaries, Eisai actively participates in all aspects of the worldwide health care system. Eisai employs
more than 8,000 people worldwide. For more information, please visit www.eisai.co.jp.

Contact:

PR Department
Eisai Co., Ltd.
TEL: 81-3-3817-5120
China, Philippines, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam.


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Published Mar. 14, 2009— Reads 379 
 

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