Pfizer and Astellas in co-promotion pact for Caduet combination medication in Japan

Pfizer Japan Inc.and Astellas Pharma Inc today said that that the companies have reached a co-promotion agreement for Caduet combination tablets (generic name: amlodipine besylate and atorvastatin calcium), a combination drug for the treatment of hypertension and hypercholesterolemia in Japan.

Caduet combination tablets are an oral combination drug of Norvasc Tablets (amlodipine besylate) sold by Pfizer and a hypercholesterolemia treatment Lipitor (atorvastatin calcium) co-promoted by Pfizer and Astellas.

Under this agreement, Pfizer will be responsible for manufacturing and sales of Caduet combination tablets, and and Astellas will receive fee on its sales until July 2016. Pfizer and Astellas, will jointly co-promote Caduet combination tablets.

Caduet combination tablet is a single tablet combining the most prescribed drugs for hypertension and hypercholesterolemia to help with both treatments. Caduet combination is now approved in more than 70 countries, with Pfizer having obtained approval in In July 2009 to manufacture and market it in Japan.

Caduet Combination Tablets will be available after it is listed on Japan's National Health Insurance drug price list.

Previously Pfizer and Astellas have cooperated in co-promoting Lipitor Tablets. The companies are committed to work hard to maximise the product value of Caduet Combination Tablets and expect to further contribute to hypertension and hypercholesterolemia treatment.