TOKYO - Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (hereafter 'Chugai') and Maruho Co., Ltd. (hereafter 'Maruho') announced that, with regards to the press release dated on January 30, 2019, Chugai has completed the transfer of the relevant rights in Japan to Maruho as of December 1, 2019 for Oxarol Ointment 25-microg/g and Oxarol Lotion 25-microg/g, therapeutic agents for keratosis including psoriasis vulgaris, and Marduox Ointment, a therapeutic agent for psoriasis vulgaris (hereafter 'Products').
In Japan, Chugai obtained the manufacturing and marketing approval of the Products, and Maruho has been marketing the Products exclusively.
The Products are topical formulations containing active vitamin D3 derivative maxacalcitol as an active pharmaceutical ingredient, which was originated and is being manufactured by Chugai. The Products have been jointly developed by both companies since the launch of Oxarol Ointment 25-microg/g in 2001, and marketed exclusively by Maruho in Japan.
As of December 1, 2019, Maruho succeeded the manufacturing and marketing approval of the Products in Japan. Subsequently, Maruho retains the rights for research, development, manufacturing and marketing of the Products. Maruho continues to market and appropriately provide and collect relevant information for the Products, and will ensure stable supply.
As a pharmaceutical company specializing in dermatology, Maruho hopes to further contribute to patients suffering from psoriasis vulgaris through the succession of the relevant rights for the Products in Japan.
Chugai maintains the manufacturing and marketing approval rights in Japan and will continue to market Oxarol Injection 2.5-microg, 5-microg, 10-microg, therapeutic agents for secondary hyperparathyroidism.
The impact on the consolidated financials for the fiscal year ending December 2019 of Chugai is expected to be negligible.
About Chugai
Chugai Pharmaceutical is one of Japan's leading research-based pharmaceutical companies with strengths in biotechnology products. Chugai, based in Tokyo, specializes in prescription pharmaceuticals and is listed on the 1st section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange. As an important member of the Roche Group, Chugai is actively involved in R&D activities in Japan and abroad. Specifically, Chugai is working to develop innovative products which may satisfy the unmet medical needs.
About Maruho
Maruho Co., Ltd. has its headquarters in Osaka and leads Japan in research and development, manufacturing and commercialization of dermatological products. Founded in 1915, Maruho has 1,512 employees (as of the end of September 2018), and net sales were approximately 78.57 billion yen in its fiscal year ending September 30, 2018. Pursuing its long-term corporate vision of 'Excellence in Dermatology,' Maruho is striving to improve the health and quality of life of people all over the world.
Contact:
Tomoko Shimizu
Tel: +81-3-3273-0881
Email: pr@chugai-pharm.co.jp
CHUGAI PHARMACEUTICAL CO., LTD 
