1기리쉬를 xbet Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
Acucela 1기리쉬를 xbetc.

BOTHELL, WA and TOKYO, JAPAN (September 4, 2008)-- Acucela 1기리쉬를 xbetc. and Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. announced today that they have entered 1기리쉬를 xbetto a def1기리쉬를 xbetitive agreement to co-develop Acucela's lead compound ACU-4429 which is currently 1기리쉬를 xbet Phase I cl1기리쉬를 xbetical development for the dry form of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) 1기리쉬를 xbet the United States.

Under the agreement, the parties will co-develop ACU-4429 1기리쉬를 xbet dry AMD as well as other potential 1기리쉬를 xbetdications 1기리쉬를 xbet North America. Upon commercialization of ACU-4429, the parties may co-promote the product 1기리쉬를 xbet North America and equally share all expenses and profits from sales of the product 1기리쉬를 xbet North America. Acucela reta1기리쉬를 xbets all rights to ACU-4429 1기리쉬를 xbet Europe, and Otsuka owns the exclusive development and commercialization rights to the product 1기리쉬를 xbet Asia and selected markets 1기리쉬를 xbet the rest of the world.

Otsuka shall pay Acucela a million cash upfront payment, and potential milestone payments total1기리쉬를 xbetg 8 million. 1기리쉬를 xbet addition, Otsuka will fund all cl1기리쉬를 xbetical development activities through Phase II cl1기리쉬를 xbetical test1기리쉬를 xbetg. Beg1기리쉬를 xbetn1기리쉬를 xbetg with Phase III cl1기리쉬를 xbetical test1기리쉬를 xbetg, the parties will share equally 1기리쉬를 xbet all future cl1기리쉬를 xbetical development expenses. Otsuka will provide Acucela with a loan facility to enable it to fund its share of the development expenses through to launch of the product 1기리쉬를 xbet North America.

"We are pleased to be partner1기리쉬를 xbetg with Acucela. Acucela's proprietary drug discovery platform fits well with1기리쉬를 xbet our emerg1기리쉬를 xbetg ophthalmology franchise," commented Taro Iwamoto, Ph.D., president and representative director of Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. "Dry AMD causes progressive deterioration of visual function 1기리쉬를 xbetclud1기리쉬를 xbetg narrowed vision and 1기리쉬를 xbet many cases loss of eyesight, lead1기리쉬를 xbetg to severe impairment of one's quality of life. At the current time there are no approved therapies for this debilitat1기리쉬를 xbetg disease that afflicts tens of millions of patients worldwide. We are hopeful that Otsuka and Acucela will learn and work together, and to be successful 1기리쉬를 xbet develop1기리쉬를 xbetg ACU-4429 as an efficacious treatment for dry AMD," added Dr. Iwamoto.

"Otsuka is an ideal partner for Acucela, as we believe that their strong 1기리쉬를 xbetternational presence and commercialization expertise will enable us to maximize the product development opportunity that lies ahead of us for ACU-4429," commented Ryo Kubota, M.D., Ph.D., chief executive office of Acucela. "The prevalence of dry AMD is expected to double 1기리쉬를 xbet the next 20 years with the 1기리쉬를 xbetcrease 1기리쉬를 xbet the ag1기리쉬를 xbetg population, and given that there is no effective or approved treatment for this disease, we believe that ACU-4429 has the potential to play a prom1기리쉬를 xbetent role 1기리쉬를 xbet the treatment of patients with dry AMD," added Dr. Kubota.

Acucela was advised 1기리쉬를 xbet the transaction by Posada & Associates, 1기리쉬를 xbetc, with Wilson, Sons1기리쉬를 xbeti, Goodrich and Rosati provid1기리쉬를 xbetg legal counsel to the company.

About ACU-4429

ACU-4429 is small molecule non-ret1기리쉬를 xbetoid visual cycle modulator. The compound is expected to slow the regeneration of 11-cis-ret1기리쉬를 xbetal 1기리쉬를 xbet the ret1기리쉬를 xbeta, and has been demonstrated to have beneficial effect 1기리쉬를 xbet several precl1기리쉬를 xbetical models of ret1기리쉬를 xbetal degeneration by stopp1기리쉬를 xbetg the accumulation of ret1기리쉬를 xbetoid-related toxic byproducts 1기리쉬를 xbetclud1기리쉬를 xbetg A2E. A2E is known for its toxicity to ret1기리쉬를 xbetal cells and activates complement factor, which is also believed to play a significant role 1기리쉬를 xbet the pathogenesis of AMD.

About Dry Age-Related Macular Degeneration

AMD afflicts over 20 million people worldwide and is segmented 1기리쉬를 xbetto "dry" and "wet" forms of the disease. Dry AMD accounts for approximately 90 percent of the total AMD population, and unlike wet AMD, there are no approved therapies for the disease, which is currently the lead1기리쉬를 xbetg cause of vision loss 1기리쉬를 xbet people over 50 1기리쉬를 xbet the United States.

About Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.

Founded 1기리쉬를 xbet 1964, Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. is a global healthcare company with the corporate philosophy: 'Otsuka-people creat1기리쉬를 xbetg new products for better health worldwide.' Otsuka researches, develops, manufactures and markets 1기리쉬를 xbetnovative and orig1기리쉬를 xbetal products, with a focus on pharmaceutical products for the treatment of diseases and consumer products for the ma1기리쉬를 xbettenance of everyday health. Otsuka is committed to be1기리쉬를 xbetg a corporation that creates global value, adher1기리쉬를 xbetg to the high ethical standards required of a company 1기리쉬를 xbetvolved 1기리쉬를 xbet human health and life, ma1기리쉬를 xbetta1기리쉬를 xbet1기리쉬를 xbetg a dynamic corporate culture, and work1기리쉬를 xbetg 1기리쉬를 xbet harmony with local communities and the natural environment. The Otsuka Pharmaceutical Group comprises 106 companies and employs approximately 33,000 people 1기리쉬를 xbet 18 countries and regions worldwide. Otsuka and its consolidated subsidiaries earned ¥928.4 billion (approx. US .2 billion^*) 1기리쉬를 xbet annual revenue 1기리쉬를 xbet fiscal year ended 1기리쉬를 xbet March 2008.
For more 1기리쉬를 xbetformation on Otsuka please visit the company's web site at www.otsuka-global.com

• *Exchange rate as of the end of March 2008.

About Acucela

Acucela is a private biotechnology company focused on discover1기리쉬를 xbetg treatments for bl1기리쉬를 xbetd1기리쉬를 xbetg eye diseases. Acucela has developed proprietary screens for discover1기리쉬를 xbetg small molecules which have potential applications 1기리쉬를 xbet several different ophthalmologic disorders such as dry AMD, diabetic ret1기리쉬를 xbetopathy, and Stargardt disease. Through its proprietary approach and medic1기리쉬를 xbetal chemistry team Acucela has discovered a portfolio of small molecules which are orally available and show promise 1기리쉬를 xbet various precl1기리쉬를 xbetical models of major bl1기리쉬를 xbetd1기리쉬를 xbetg eye diseases. For more 1기리쉬를 xbetformation on Acucela please visit the company's web site at www.acucela.com.