Astellas Files Regulatory Submission for EC905 - A New Fixed Dose Combination Treatment for Male LUTS

Staines, England (ots/PRNewswire) -

ASTELLAS PHARMA EUROPE Ltd., the European subsidiary of Tokyo -
based Astellas Pharma Inc. today announced the submission of a
Market Authorisation Application for EC905 in the Netherlands. This
application for approval is the first step of the European-wide
mutual recognition process to authorise the drug in other EU
countries. The submission was sent on 2nd March 2012.

EC905 is a combination tablet containing solifenacin 6 mg and
tamsulosin OCAS 0.4 mg. Astellas is seeking approval for this new
fixed dose combination therapy to treat lower urinary tract symptoms
(LUTS) associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia, with storage
symptoms.

This announcement follows presentation of Phase III data on EC905
at the European Association of Urology annual congress in Paris on
26th February 2012. The data demonstrated that EC905 offered
significant benefits over placebo, and was more effective than
tamsulosin alone on storage parameters and quality of life in men
with LUTS with voiding and storage symptoms aged 45 years and
over.[1]

LUTS are common in men and include symptoms of voiding (e.g.
hesitancy, intermittency), storage (frequency, urgency, nocturia) and
post-micturition (feeling of incomplete bladder emptying).[2] In a
study of four European countries plus Canada, LUTS affected over 60%
of the adult male population.[3] Storage symptoms associated with
LUTS are synonymous with overactive bladder syndrome, which can have
a significant negative impact on quality of life, including work,
social activities and sexual relationships.[4]

About Astellas Pharma Europe Ltd.:

Astellas Pharma Europe Ltd., located in the UK, is the European
headquarters of Tokyo-based Astellas Pharma Inc. Astellas is a
pharmaceutical company dedicated to improving the health of people
around the world through the provision of innovative and reliable
pharmaceuticals. The organisation is committed to becoming a global
company by combining outstanding R&D and marketing capabilities and
continuing to grow in the world pharmaceutical market. Astellas
Pharma Europe Ltd. is responsible for 21 affiliate offices located
across Europe, the Middle East and Africa, an R&D site and three
manufacturing plants. The company employs approximately 4,200 staff
across these regions. For more information about Astellas Pharma
Europe, please visit http://www.astellas.eu.

References

1) Drake M et al. Efficacy of combination therapy with tamsulosin OCAS and
solifenacin in NEPTUNE: Results from a randomized Phase III trial in men with LUTS.
EAU 2012 Poster AM12-2045
2) Abrams P, Cardozo L, Fall M et al. The standardisation of terminology of
lower urinary tract function: report from the Standardisation Sub-committee of the
International Continence Society. Neurourol Urodyn 2002; 21: 167-78
3) Irwin DE et al. Population-based survey of urinary incontinence, overactive
bladder, and other lower urinary tract symptoms in five countries: results of the EPIC
study. Eur Urol 2006;50:1306-15
4) Gomelsky A and Dmochowski RR. Overactive bladder in males. Ther Adv Urol.
2009;1(4):209-21

ots Originaltext: Astellas Pharma Europe Limited
Im Internet recherchierbar: http://www.presseportal.de

Contact:
For further information please contact: Julia Holt, Red Door
Communications, jholt@rdcomms.com, Tel: +44(0)208-392-8052, Mobile:
+44(0)7788-441422 ; Mindy Dooa, Astellas Pharma Europe Ltd.,
mindy.dooa@eu.astellas.com, Tel: +44(0)1784-419-408, Mobile:
+44(0)7826-912-339