NOVARTIS, MOCHIDA TO CO-PROMOTE DIOVAN IN JAPAN

Novartis Pharma, a Japanese subsidiary of Novartis, and Mochida Pharmaceutical announced that the two companies have signed a contract to co-promote Novartis' angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) Diovan (valsartan) in Japan.

Novartis aims to increase sales of Diovan, approved in Japan to treat high blood pressure, in the ARB market where competition is intensifying, and Mochida wants to strengthen its cardiovascular health business.

"We are very pleased that we could build a partnership with Mochida Pharmaceutical, a company that is continuing to grow in the cardiovascular area through products such as Atelec and Epadel," Noriyuki Baba, president of Novartis Pharma, said.

Diovan works by selectively blocking the AT1 receptors that are involved in blood pressure elevation. The drug has been approved as a first-line treatment for high blood pressure in roughly 100 countries.