Antiepileptic drug for dogs to be sold in China

DS Pharma Animal Health Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Chuo-ku, Osaka; Representative Director, President and CEO: Takeshi Nakajima; hereinafter, “DSPAH”), Sumitomo Corporation (Head Office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director, President and Chief Executive Officer: Masayuki Hyodo), and Shandong Sinder Technology Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Shandong Province, China; President: Li Zhaoyang; hereinafter, “Sinder”) have reached an agreement on licensing and selling in China the canine antiepileptic drug CONSAVE® (generic name: Zonisamide; hereinafter, “CONSAVE®”) manufactured and sold in Japan by DSPAH.

Rising incomes and the government’s one-child policy have led to an increasing number of Chinese households who live with companion animals (dogs, cats, etc.) as a member of their families. The total number of dogs and cats presently living together with people in China is about 90 million, second in the world only to the US, and the market for veterinary medicines for companion animals has been steadily expanding, from about $65 million in 2014 to an estimated $430 million by 2020.

Epilepsy is a chronic disorder characterized by convulsions, fainting and seizures due to the overstimulation of nerve cells in the brain, and it can even be fatal on occasion. Epilepsy is said to have a 1-2% rate of incidence among dogs and, with there being no canine antiepileptic drug in China at the moment, the appearance of a new drug is eagerly anticipated.

DSPAH, Sumitomo Corporation, and Sinder, a manufacturer of veterinary medicinal products in which Sumitomo Corporation holds a stake, have come to an agreement on giving Sinder exclusive sales rights for CONSAVE® in China, and approval application procedures are being pursued in China with the hope of beginning sales in 2022. DSPAH, Sumitomo Corporation and Sinder are considering possibilities for further collaboration in expanding sales of animal drugs in China to improve the health of animals in the country and to help people and their companion animals live better lives.


(Reference)
DSPAH is an R&D-based manufacturer/vendor of veterinary medicines, etc., established via a spin-off of a business sector of Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma Co., Ltd., in July 2010, since which time it has been engaged in the companion animal, stockbreeding and fishery, and clinical examination businesses. Although originally focused only on medications and functional food products, DSPAH is seeking to transform itself into a company able to meet the full range of examination, testing, diagnosis, medication, and aftercare (the entire healthcare cycle) needs of veterinarians and other customers.

Sinder is a developer, manufacturer and vendor of veterinary medicines that ranks among China’s top ten selling companies, and it is expanding sales of companion animal pharmaceuticals as well as vaccines to prevent avian and swine diseases. In 2016, Sumitomo Corporation acquired a 25% stake in Sinder with the aim of expanding its veterinary medicine business in China.

(Photo ①) CONSAVE®

 

(Photo ②) Signing ceremony
 

■Sumitomo Corporation’s Material Issues
Sumitomo Corporation Group positions “Six Material Issues to Achieve Sustainable Growth with Society” as an important factor in developing business strategies and in the decision-making process for individual businesses. Going forward, we will pursue sustainable growth by resolving these issues through our business activities. This project especially contributes to “Contributing to the Development of Local Communities and Industries” and “Establishing a Foundation for Comfortable and Enriching Lifestyles”.