Eisai and Seikagaku Enter into Agreement for Joint Development and Commercialization of SI-613 for Osteoarthritis in China

TOKYO, April 1, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Eisai Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Tokyo, CEO: Haruo Naito, "Eisai") and Seikagaku Corporation (Headquarters: Tokyo, President: Ken Mizutani, "Seikagaku") announced that they have reached a collaboration agreement on the joint development and commercialization of SI-613 (diclofenac-conjugated sodium hyaluronate) in China. This product is an osteoarthritis therapeutic agent developed by Seikagaku.

Under the agreement, the two companies will jointly develop SI-613 for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis in China. Upon regulatory approval, Seikagaku Corporation will supply the product to Eisai Co., Ltd., which will be responsible for its commercialization. The two companies will share development costs equally, and Eisai Co., Ltd. will pay Seikagaku Corporation an upfront payment as well as milestone payments related to development and sales.

Osteoarthritis is a joint disease characterized by cartilage damage caused by aging and other factors, leading to inflammation and pain that diminish quality of life (QOL). Knee osteoarthritis is one of the most common forms, with an estimated 47 million symptomatic patients in China.^{* 1}, and this number is expected to continue increasing with the aging of the population.

SI-613 is sodium hyaluronate conjugated with diclofenac, chemically linking hyaluronic acid and diclofenac (an anti-inflammatory drug) using Seikagaku Corporation’s proprietary drug conjugation technology. This substance exhibits the analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of diclofenac, and in addition to the joint function-improving effects of sodium hyaluronate, it can also act through a drug delivery system.^{* 3}Sustained Release^{* 2}. Therefore, SI-613 is expected to rapidly and continuously alleviate pain and inflammation associated with osteoarthritis.

Under the agreement, Eisai aims to leverage the knowledge and network accumulated through its business operations in China to contribute to patients with knee osteoarthritis who have unmet medical needs. Seikagaku Corporation will seek to maximize the value of SI-613 by utilizing Eisai’s business foundation in China.

Through the development and commercialization of SI-613, these companies will provide new treatment options for knee osteoarthritis in China and contribute to improving patients’ quality of life.

References:

*1: Estimated number of patients with knee osteoarthritis

*2: Sustained release is a method by which the active pharmaceutical ingredient of a drug is gradually released to achieve a prolonged therapeutic effect.

*3: Drug Delivery System (DDS) is a technology used for controlled release, targeting, and improved absorption of drugs.