On September 22, 2021, a cooperation agreement was concluded between Sumitomo Pharma (Suzhou) Co., Ltd. (Sumitomo Pharma (Suzhou) Co., Ltd.) and Profex (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. (Profex). According to the agreement, Sumitomo Pharma (Suzhou) Co., Ltd. and Profex will carry out the cooperative promotion of tandospirone citrate tablets (trade name: Sediel^®). The rich experience in the Chinese market and multi-channel commerce platform of Profex would help improve the accessibility of Sediel^®, to serve the most patients with anxiety disorders.

Mr. Naoki Noguchi, President of Sumitomo Pharma (Suzhou) Co., Ltd., Mr. Hiroki Uemukai, Senior Vice President of ,Sumitomo Pharma (Suzhou) Co., Ltd. Mr. Xue Jun, Vice President of Sumitomo Pharma (Suzhou) Co., Ltd., Mr. Xiao Gengmin, CEO of Profex, Mr. Paul Contomichalos, Chairman of Profex, and Mr. Huang Haitao, General Manager of Profex attended the signing ceremony and expressed their common aspiration for the project’s success.

The Chinese government has paid increasing attention to mental health in recent years. On June 4, 2015, the relevant ministries and commissions issued the National Mental Health Work Plan 2015–2020 (NMHWP), which proposed to raise the whole society's awareness of the importance of mental health, to promote public mental health, and to promote harmonious development of the society. According to a report released by the WHO in 2017, there were about 264 million patients with anxiety disorders worldwide, accounting for 3.6% of the global population. In China, there are more than 40 million patients with anxiety disorders 1. Anxiety disorders are ranked as the sixth largest contributor to non-fatal health loss globally1. The China Mental Health Survey (2019) showed that anxiety disorders had become the most common mental disorders in China2. Anxiety symptoms seriously affect the patients' daily activities and all aspects of lives, and impose a heavy medical burden in China3. Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illnesses in China, and general hospitals or primary clinics are the preferred visiting institutions for patients with anxiety disorders.

 Central nervous system disease is a key therapeutic area deployed by Sumitomo Pharma (Suzhou) Co., Ltd. around the world, including China. This company has successively launched two new products for schizophrenia in China, blonanserin tablets (trade name: Lonasen^®) and lurasidone hydrochloride tablets (trade name: Latuda^®). Sediel^® is the first CNS drug launched by  in China, and the present cooperation is also the company's first cooperative promotion project in the field of central nervous system disease. It is expected that the partners will continue to expand the accessibility of the product in a broad market and multiple channels, to serve more patients in China.

Mr. Naoki Noguchi, Sumitomo Pharma (Suzhou) Co., Ltd.’s President, said: “I am very pleased to have the opportunity of cooperation with Profex. Central nervous system disease is an important strategic therapeutic area both in China and globally. Profex’s continuous and deep understanding of the field of central nervous system disease is also in line with  Sumitomo Pharma (Suzhou) Co., Ltd.long-term strategy. Combining Profex’s expertise and potential, our close cooperation, following the concept of patient-centered care, would promote a rapid growth of the Sediel^® brand and benefit an increasing number of patients with anxiety disorders."

Mr. Xiao Gengmin, Profex CEO, said: “We look forward to cooperating with a company like Sumitomo Pharma (Suzhou) Co., Ltd. with a multiproduct pipeline in central nervous system disease. Meanwhile, we are confident in the potential of Sediel^®, and believe our cooperation with Sumitomo Pharma (Suzhou) Co., Ltd. is just a beginning. With this close cooperation, high-quality products will provide clinical benefit to a higher number of patients in China."

About Sediel^®

 Tandospirone Citrate Tablets (trade name: Sediel^®) were introduced into China in 2003, included in the National Medical Insurance drug list in 2009, and included in the National Essential Medicines List (NEML, 2018 edition), whose indications include: 1) anxiety states caused by various neuroses, including generalized anxiety disorder; 2) anxiety associated with physical diseases such as essential hypertension and peptic ulcer. Tandospirone Citrate Tablets have been commercialized in China for 18 years. With stable clinical efficacy and reliable safety performance, this drug has become the preferred treatment for many patients with generalized anxiety disorder and physical diseases accompanied by anxiety, relieving anxiety symptoms and helping them return to normal study, life and work [4].

About Profex

Profex is committed to cooperating with the world's leading pharmaceutical companies, and is also responsible for identifying excellent pharmaceutical products with innovative technologies worldwide. Profex has established a team of highly qualified and passionate employees. Many Profex employees are experts or leaders in operation management, marketing or other business fields, with profound professional knowledge and rich practical experience, previously achieving impressive performance in Fortune 500 multinational companies.

About Sumitomo Pharma (Suzhou) Co., Ltd.:

Since its establishment in China in the 1990s, Sumitomo Pharma (Suzhou) Co., Ltd. has developed China as one of its key market operating bases. The company has introduced advanced international manufacturing technologies to China and has provided high-quality products and pharmaceutical solutions in the fields of central nervous system disorders,  infection prevention, cardiovascular diseases and digestive diseases, benefiting numerous patients over the years. At the same time, the company also actively participates in various social welfare projects and fully supports the further development of health care in China. Sumitomo Pharma (Suzhou) Co., Ltd. adheres to its corporate mission of "Based in China, we will continue to create and contribute new value to human health and happiness", and will continue to provide high-quality pharmaceutical products with a "patient-oriented" mission to contribute to the long-term development of China's medical industry.

【References】

1.World Health Organization. (2017). Depression and other common mental disorders: global health estimates.

2.Yueqin Huang , et al. Lancet Psychiatry. Published Online February 18, 2019

3.Lancet. 2016 Jul 23;388(10042):376-389.

4. [Chinese Journal of New Drugs and Clinical Remedies. 2006;25(4):282.]

[Declarations]

1. The information in this document is for reference only. Please follow the advice or guidance of your physician or other health care professional.

2. The purpose of this article is to transmit frontier information and research progress in medicine, and does not constitute commercial promotion of any drugs or recommendation of treatment plans.

3. If you want to know more about the disease or need information about drugs and treatment, please consult a health care professional.

4. Please refer to the product specifications for the drug products mentioned in this article.