- Teijin-developed Novel Drug for Chronic Management of Hyperuricemia -
Tokyo, Japan, January 21, 2011 --- Teijin Pharma Limited, the core company of the Teijin Group's medical and pharmaceutical business, announced today that Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare approved TMX-67 (febuxostat), Teijin Pharma's novel drug for treating hyperuricemia, on January 21. Teijin Pharma will market the product as tablets in 10mg, 20mg, and 40mg strengths in Japan under the brand name FEBURIC beginning this spring.

TMX-67, a highly potent oral drug taken once daily, is the world’s first non-purine selective inhibitor of xanthine oxidase. It has a novel chemical structure completely different from that of allopurinol, which has been used for over 40 years as the standard treatment for hyperuricemia. TMX-67 is the first drug indicated for treatment of hyperuricemia with or without symptoms (e.g. gout, hypertension, etc.) in Japan. It effectively lowers the level of uric acid in the blood of hyperuricemic patients to the recommended level of less than 6.0mg/dL, and is well tolerated by patients suffering from mild to moderate renal impairment without any dose adjustment.

TMX-67 has strong global potential as one of Teijin Pharma's most promising products. It already is marketed by licensees in the U.S., Canada, France, the U.K., Germany, Ireland, Italy, Greece and Austria. Collaborative efforts to broaden TMX-67's availability in other markets are being pursued.

Teijin Pharma expects to achieve global annual sales of over 100 billion yen for TMX-67 in the foreseeable future. In Japan, the number of patients with hyperuricemia is estimated to be around 16 million.

About Teijin Pharma Limited
Teijin Pharma Limited, the core company of Teijin Group's medical and pharmaceuticals business, focuses on three key therapeutic areas: respiratory, bone/joint, and cardiovascular/metabolic diseases. Teijin Pharma has strong marketing positions, particularly in the respiratory and bone/joint areas, with pharmaceutical products as well as a home healthcare business, including home oxygen therapy. Teijin Pharma continues to enhance its presence worldwide through in-house R&D as well as in-licensing and out-licensing activities. For more information, Please visit www.teijin-pharma.co.jp/english/index.html

About the Teijin Group
Based in Tokyo and Osaka, Japan, Teijin is a global technology-driven group operating in eight main fields: aramid fibers, carbon fibers, polyester fibers, plastics, films, medical & pharmaceuticals, fiber products marketing and IT businesses. Teijin Limited, the holding company for the Teijin Group, is listed on the Tokyo and Osaka stock exchanges. The group had consolidated sales of USD 8.5 billion (JPY 765.8 billion, USD 1=JPY 90) in fiscal 2009 and employs 18,778 people worldwide, with 156 companies around the world.