Toray, Japan Tobacco and Torii Terminate the Joint Development of Nalfurafine Hydrochloride for Pruritus

Source from:  Japan Corp Net 12/27/2011

Toray Industries Inc., Japan Tobacco Inc. and Torii Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd have agreed to discontinue the joint development program of nalfurafine hydrochloride (Toray development code TRK-820), a drug targeted at pruritus associated with chronic liver disease. This announcement follows Torii's recent decision to concentrate its efforts on the sales of REMITCH in its key therapeutic area of renal/hemodialysis. The three companies have been marketing REMITCH CAPSULES 2.5 µg (nalfurafine hydrochloride) since March 2009 in Japan. REMITCH is an oral antipruritus drug for hemodialysis patients. The TRK-820 development is currently in Phase III. Toray will continue the development on its own to maximize the potential of the drug in the hepatic disease area, where the company shows proven bushiness performance. Torii will continue to market REMITCH CAPSULES 2.5 µg antipruritus drug for hemodialysis patients. In addition, all three companies will continue to cooperate in nurturing the drug. Enditem