TANABE SEIYAKU, MARUHO ENTER INTO PDE4 DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT

Japan-based drugmakers Tanabe Seiyaku and Maruho have entered into a licensing agreement for phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) inhibitor, a drug candidate for treating skin diseases.

Under the terms of the agreement, Maruho will receive exclusive rights to develop and sell the agent in Japan. The PDE4 inhibitor, which was discovered by Tanabe Seiyaku, has a property of inhibiting the activity of inflammatory cells.

The agent is expected to be used in the treatment of allergic dermatitis such as atopic and contact dermatitis, the companies reported.