Eisai Launches Liver Cirrhosis Drug In The Philippines

The drug for treating liver cirrhosis-associated hypoalbuminemia is also awaiting clinical trials in China.

AsianScientist (Jan. 29, 2015) – Eisai Co., Ltd. and Ajinomoto Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd. have launched a treatment for hypoalbuminemia in the Philippines. The LIVAMIN® Oral Granules (granules of isoleucine, leucine and valine) are a branched-chain amino acid formula for the treatment low levels of blood albumin, a disorder common in patients with advanced liver cirrhosis.

Liver cirrhosis is a serious health issue in the Philippines, with around 127,000 people estimated to have liver cirrhosis. In 2010, it was reported that approximately 9,200 people died due to liver cirrhosis.

In hepatic cirrhosis, increase of fibrous tissues in the liver as chronic hepatitis progresses leads to hardening of the liver and results in loss of normal liver function. When hepatic cirrhosis is not accompanied with clearly defined symptoms despite partial damage to liver function, it is called compensated cirrhosis.

When liver function worsens and symptoms such as jaundice, malaise, ascites, edema or hepatic encephalopathy appear, it is known as decompensated cirrhosis. The cause of such symptoms associated with decompensated hepatic cirrhosis includes malnutrition or metabolic disorder resulting from hypoalbuminemia that occurs as hepatic cirrhosis progresses. LIVAMIN Oral Granules ameliorates these symptoms by increasing serum albumin levels in patients with decompensated hepatic cirrhosis.

Ajinomoto Pharmaceuticals holds the manufacturing and marketing authorization rights to LIVAMIN Oral Granules. Under a basic contract concerning the marketing rights of LIVAMIN Oral Granules in the Asia region signed in February 2009, Eisai obtained the exclusive marketing rights from Ajinomoto Pharmaceuticals to distribute the product in the Philippines as well as Hong Kong, China and Macao.

In April 2014, Eisai’s subsidiary HI-Eisai Pharmaceutical Inc. received approval in the Philippines for LIVAMIN Oral Granules indicated for the improvement of hypoalbuminemia in patients with decompensated hepatic cirrhosis presenting with hypoalbuminemia despite adequate dietary intake.

In June 2014, marketing approval for LIVAMIN Oral Granules was obtained for Hong Kong and the product (brand name in Hong Kong: LIVACT® Granules [Chinese name: 列维通®]) is scheduled to be launched there during the fiscal year 2014. In addition, clinical trials to obtain regulatory approval in China are currently underway.

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Source: Eisai; Photo: Shutterstock.
Disclaimer: This article does not necessarily reflect the views of AsianScientist or its staff.

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