OREANDA-NEWS. March 06, 2012. Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation (hereafter, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma; Head Office: Chuo-ku, Osaka; President and CEO: Michihiro Tsuchiya) and Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., (hereafter, Daiichi Sankyo; Head Office: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Joji Nakayama) have agreed to form a strategic sales alliance to conduct joint sales activities for DPP4 inhibitor, MP-513 (generic name: teneligliptin), and SGLT2 inhibitor, TA-7284 (generic name: canagliflozin), which are under development by Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma in Japan for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

 MP-513, a DPP4 inhibitor and TA-7284, a SGLT2 inhibitor, which were both discovered by Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma, are oral treatments for type 2 diabetes mellitus. MP-513 and TA-7284 have different mechanisms of action. In Japan, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma filed an NDA for MP-513 in August 2011, and TA-7284 is currently in phase 3 clinical trials with plans calling for an NDA expected to be filed in 2013.

 Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma and Daiichi Sankyo will conduct joint sales activities for these drugs under a one-brand, two-channel framework. Moreover, the companies will implement new types of joint sales activities, with detailed drug product information provided through mutual visits to medical institutions. In the diversifying market for diabetes treatment agents, these activities will enable the companies to build a dynamic, cooperative sales system. This system will leverage the companies' combined marketing capabilities, which will be among the strongest in Japan, and facilitate the detailed, sufficient, yet rapid, provision of accurate usage information and the proposal of treatments.

 Through this strategic alliance, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma and Daiichi Sankyo will provide new treatment options for type 2 diabetes mellitus and support for patients dealing with diabetes.