Launch of Apokyn^® Subcutaneous Injection 30 mg for Treatment of Parkinson's Disease

Tokyo, Japan, July 26, 2012 --- Kyowa Hakko Kirin Co., Ltd. ("Kyowa Hakko Kirin") announces that it will launch Apokyn^® (apomorphine hydrochloride hydrate) Subcutaneous Injection 30 mg ("Apokyn^®") for treatment of Parkinson's disease on July 27.

Apokyn^® is a dopamine agonist that patients can self-administer subcutaneously using the specially-designed injector. This drug has been shown to rapidly improve wearing-off episodes of Parkinson's disease that cannot be effectively treated by conventional drug therapy. In March 2012, it received marketing authorization approval in Japan. In March 2011, Apokyn^® was designated an orphan drug in Japan.

Apomorphine preparations have been approved for the treatment of Parkinson's disease in over 20 countries, including the U.S., U.K., France, and Germany. In February 2006, Kyowa Hakko Kirin entered into a license agreement with Britannia Pharmaceuticals Limited, U.K., for the exclusive rights to develop and market apomorphine hydrochloride hydrate in Japan and parts of Asia.

Kyowa Hakko Kirin believes that Apokyn^® can become a useful drug, offering a new treatment option (rescue treatment) to temporarily and rapidly improve wearing-off episodes of Parkinson's disease.