Otsuka opens Canadian operations

Otsuka Canada Pharmaceutical Inc. (OCPI) has opened its first Canadian office, in the Montreal suburb of Saint-Laurent. This marks a major milestone in the continued growth of Otsuka in North America.

“As one of the world's leading pharmaceutical innovators and manufacturers, Otsuka`s investment is excellent news for Canada. Patients across the country will benefit from their innovative medicines once introduced on the market. It also makes our research community and the life sciences sector stronger in the province of Quebec.”

OCPI will initially promote two Otsuka products: ABILIFY^® (aripiprazole) and IV BUSULFEX^® (busulfan) Injection. ABILIFY (aripiprazole) is indicated for the treatment of schizophrenia and related psychotic disorders and the acute treatment of manic or mixed episodes in Bipolar I Disorder. OCPI will co-promote ABILFY with Bristol-Myers Squibb Canada. IV BUSULFEX (busulfan) Injection is indicated for use in combination with other chemotherapeutic agents and/or radiotherapy as a conditioning regimen prior to hematopoietic progenitor cell transplantation; this includes acute lymphocytic leukemia, acute non-lymphocytic leukemia, acute myeloid leukemia, chronic myeloid leukemia, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease, multiple myeloma, myelodysplastic syndrome and several genetic diseases.

OCPI plans to seek regulatory approval to bring additional innovative products to the Canadian market in the future.

"We are delighted to establish this permanent presence in Canada," said Masaru Taguchi, General Manager of OCPI. "We believe Otsuka has a great deal to contribute to the health and well-being of Canadians and we look forward to building a strong, positive presence in the Canadian healthcare sector."

"The opening of our Canadian operations is a very important milestone for Otsuka," said Mark Altmeyer, President and CEO of Otsuka America Pharmaceutical, Inc., parent company of OCPI. "As an organization, we are committed to expanding our presence around the world to ensure we are able to live our mission of creating new products for better health worldwide."

Russell Williams, President of Rx&D, Canada's Research-Based Pharmauceutical Companies, welcomed the arrival of OCPI: "As one of the world's leading pharmaceutical innovators and manufacturers, Otsuka`s investment is excellent news for Canada. Patients across the country will benefit from their innovative medicines once introduced on the market. It also makes our research community and the life sciences sector stronger in the province of Quebec."