Astellas Pharma has agreed to provide exclusive distribution and promotion rights in Japan to Kyowa Pharmaceutical Industry, an Osaka, Japan-headquartered pharmaceutical company, for Astellas’ extended-release tablets of quetiapine fumarate, a psychotropic drug for treating mental health and mood disorders, including schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

Astellas submitted a new drug application to the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare in Japan for extended-release tablets of quetiapine fumarate seeking approval for use of the drug to improve depressive symptoms associated with bipolar disorder. When Astellas obtains approval, Kyowa will exclusively distribute and promote the products in Japan.

Source: Astellas