DAIICHI SANKYO, ELI LILLY TO LAUNCH EVISTA IN EUROPE

Sankyo's European unit, Daiichi Sankyo Europe, and Eli Lilly have signed an agreement to market and distribute Evista, an osteoporosis drug, in certain European countries.

The drug, developed by Eli Lilly, will be marketed in Germany, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, Austria and Switzerland.

Evista, a selective estrogen receptor modulator that inhibits bone absorption, is indicated in Europe to treat and prevent osteoporosis in post-menopausal women. It slows bone loss and slightly increases normal bone growth. Because of its tissue selectivity, raloxifene may have fewer side effects than are typically observed with estrogen therapy.