Ajinomoto to Expand Osteoporosis Treatment Risedronate Business in Japan by Obtaining Related Assets Including Patents and Trademarks from P&G

July 31, 2009 - Tokyo - Ajinomoto Co., Inc. (Ajinomoto, President & CEO: Masatoshi Ito, Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan) signed today an agreement with The Procter & Gamble Company and Procter & Gamble Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (P&G, Headquarters: Cincinnati, Ohio, USA) for transfer of P&G assets relating to the business of an osteoporosis treatment risedronate (generic name: sodium risedronate hydrate) in the Japan market including patents and trademarks at a total of US$210 million (consumption tax inclusive: approximately \21 billion). 　Given placement of the agreement, Ajinomoto obtains from P&G the rights to research, develop, manufacture and sell risedronate, which was a licensed product, exclusive to the Japan market. Ajinomoto positions metabolic diseases such as osteoporosis as one of its focused disease areas. Hereafter Ajinomoto promotes LCM (Life Cycle Management) of risedronate as a product of Ajinomoto's own, including development of improved dosage forms in line with medical needs in this country, and continues efforts to realize advanced support to patients for enhancement of QOL (Quality of Life). This project will add strength to the base of risedronate business and is expected to boost future profits by reduction of royalty burden and so on. 　Sodium risedronate hydrate is a bisphosphonate agent, which was originally developed by P&G. In Japan, a 2.5 mg once-daily formulation was launched in May 2002 indicated for the treatment of osteoporosis. In June 2007, a 17.5 mg once-weekly formulation that exerts equivalent effects in only once-weekly administration as once-daily was launched for the same indication. Ajinomoto also developed the 17.5 mg once-weekly formulation for the treatment of Paget's disease of bone under the orphan drug designation, and the additional indication was approved in July 2008. Sodium risedronate hydrate is widely used in about 100 countries over the world. 　Sodium risedronate hydrate continues to be available on the Japanese market just like up to the present under Ajinomoto's license with the brand names of ACTONEL marketed by Ajinomoto (manufacture) and Eisai Co., Ltd. (distribution) and BENET by Takeda Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., (manufacture and distribution). The two drugs sold in total approximately \30 billion (estimated figure) the previous fiscal year. 　Osteoporosis is defined as "a skeletal disease characterized by impaired bone strength that increases fracture risks". Notably, most osteoporosis patients are women. With aging of the population, the number of osteoporosis patients is increasing: An estimate says about 10 million people are suffering from osteoporosis in Japan. Osteoporosis patients can easily break their bone in the spine or hip, which often leads a patient to a bedridden status. In recent years, importance of taking measures against osteoporosis is being more recognized not only from medical viewpoints but also in social perspective. 　The Ajinomoto Group will all strive together to be "a group of companies that contributes to human health globally" and who constantly creates unique values through approaches from Food and healthful materials as well as development of characteristic pharmaceuticals. For further information please contact: Ajinomoto Co., Inc. Public Communications Department; Tel: +81-3- 5250-8180

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