Maruho and Asahi Kasei Pharma Announce First Approval in Japan of an Additional Dosage and Administration for Anti-herpes Virus Agent "Famvir® Tab 250 mg" for the Treatment of Recurrent Herpes Simplex (Herpes labialis/Herpes genitalis)
Osaka and Tokyo (Japan), February 21, 2019 - Maruho Co., Ltd. ("Maruho", Head Office: Osaka, Japan, President and CEO: Koichi Takagi) and Asahi Kasei Pharma Corp. ("Asahi Kasei Pharma", Head Office: Tokyo, Japan, President: Yoshikazu Aoki) announce today that Asahi Kasei Pharma obtained a partial change of approval for anti-herpes virus agent "Famvir® Tab 250 mg" (INN: famciclovir; hereinafter referred to as "the product") for the treatment of recurrent herpes simplex in Japan.
The additional approval of dosage/administration obtained today is the first treatment in Japan recognized as "Patient Initiated Therapy" in which patients with recurrent herpes simplex can take this prescribed medicine at the outbreak of initial symptoms. Overseas this is called "one day treatment" and it is well known as a standard treatment for recurrent herpes simplex.
With the product prescribed in advance, taking 1,000 mg of the product two times during the outbreak of initial symptoms of recurring herpes simplex, it is possible to treat herpes simplex early in its onset, and an improvement in convenience for patients is expected.
Herpes simplex is a disease caused by the herpes simplex virus initially infecting the skin and mucosa, or reactivation of the virus in latently-infected nerve ganglia. Once infection occurs, symptomatic recurrences may occur. It is characterized by repeated recurrence of symptoms, and many patients are aware of early symptoms such as itching and discomfort before skin symptoms such as erythema, papules, blisters, etc. develop.
This partial change of approval is based on the results of a Phase 3 clinical study carried out jointly by Maruho and Asahi Kasei Pharma in Japan on patients with recurrent herpes. Asahi Kasei Pharma submitted the application for a partial change of approval to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare in 2018.
By obtaining this partial change of approval, Maruho and Asahi Kasei Pharma hope to make further contributions to patients and medical professionals by providing a new option for the treatment of recurrent herpes simplex.
Product Profile
Brand name (INN) | Famvir® Tab 250 mg (famciclovir) |
Indication | Herpes simplex, herpes zoster |
Dosage and Administration (Additional dosage and administration underlined) |
Herpes simplex Usually, adults receive one 250 mg dose of famciclovir orally three times a day. In the case of recurrent herpes simplex, usually adults can receive one 1,000 mg dose of famciclovir orally two times. Herpes zoster Usually, adults receive one 500 mg dose of famciclovir orally three times a day. |
Date of Approval | April 16, 2008 |
Date of NHI Price Listing | June 13, 2008 |
Date of Launch | July 1, 2008 |
Date of partial change of approval | February 21, 2019 |
Marketing | Maruho Co., Ltd. |
Manufacturer | Asahi Kasei Pharma Corp. |
Licensor | Novartis Pharma AG |