R-Tech Ueno: Announcement of Commercial Availability of RESCULA® Eye Drops in the U.S. Market

TOKYO -- (BUSINESS WIRE) -- R-Tech Ueno (JASDAQ:4573):

Sucampo Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (hereinafter referred to as "Sucampo") announced that RESCULA^® Eye Drops had been launched in the U.S. market. (See Sucampo's press release dated February 19, 2013.)

RESCULA^® Eye Drops may be used as a first-line agent or concomitantly with other topical ophthalmic drug products with ocular hypotensive effect for treatment of open-angle glaucoma, which is the most common form of glaucoma, or ocular hypertension. RESCULA^® Eye Drops is a BK channel activator, which is different from other intraocular pressure-lowering agents.

Contract for assignment of marketing approval and dealership of RESCULA^® Eye Drops, licensing of related patents, and exclusive manufacturing and provision of the product in the U.S. and Canada for indications of glaucoma and ocular hypertension was made between Sucampo and us in April 2009.

The above venture will not contribute to any revision of the full-year earnings estimates pre-announced on February 12, 2013.

• About RESCULA^® ophthalmic solution :

RESCULA^® is a glaucoma/ocular hypertension treatment drug that was the first in the world to utilize Prostone. RESCULA^® has a pharmacological effect as an ion channel opener. There are reports that RESCULA^® has not only an ocular pressure decreasing action but also an optic nerve protective action (in vitro) and an action to improve ocular blood flow in normal tension glaucoma. It has been approved in 45 countries all over the world since it was marketed in Japan in 1994.
RESCULA^® was originally approved by the FDA in 2000. Sucampo had been making a supplemental New Drug Application about RESCULA^®.

• About R-Tech Ueno, Ltd.

R-Tech Ueno is a bio venture company established in September 1989 for the purpose of R&D and marketing of drugs. Under the leadership of the CEO, also a medical doctor, the company is developing new drugs on the theme "Physician-Oriented New Drug Innovation", targeting ophthalmologic and dermatologic diseases that previously had no effective therapeutic agent.
We aim at becoming a "global pharmaceutical company specializing in specific fields (ophthalmology and dermatology) and developing and selling pharmaceutical products through the eyes of doctors." We are promoting the development of new drugs for unmet medical needs for which the government provides recommendations and assistance, orphan drugs and the drugs in the field of anti-aging (lifestyle drugs).

• About Sucampo Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Sucampo Pharmaceuticals, Inc., is a global pharmaceutical company focused on innovative research, discovery, development and commercialization of proprietary drugs based on prostones. The therapeutic potential of prostones, which occur naturally in the human body as a result of enzymatic, 15-PGDH, transformation of certain fatty acids, was first identified by Ryuji Ueno, M.D., Ph.D., Ph.D., Sucampo Pharmaceuticals' Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Scientific Officer. Dr. Ueno founded Sucampo Pharmaceuticals in 1996 with co-founder.
For more information about Sucampo Pharmaceuticals, please visit www.sucampo.com.