Kowa Company, Ltd. (Headquarters: Nagoya, Japan, President & CEO: Yoshihiro Miwa, hereafter referred to as “Kowa”) announced that “Ripasudil Hydrochloride Hydrate” (hereafter referred to as “Ripasudil”), a Rho kinase inhibitor for the indications of Open-Angle Glaucoma and Ocular Hypertension, has been approved by TFDA (Thai Food and Drug Administration) in Thailand.
Ripasudil has been developed as a global product, and was launched in December 2014 in Japan (Brand name: GLANATECR ophthalmic solution 0.4%) as the world’s first glaucoma drug with Rho kinase inhibitory activity. Ripasudil is the first Rho kinase inhibitor filed in Thailand, and the approval by TFDA is the 5th approval in the world. Kowa plans to establish a direct sales system by Kowa (Thailand) Co., Ltd., Kowa’s local subsidiary, to support the marketing of Ripasudil. Kowa is excited to provide a new therapeutic option to patients with glaucoma and ocular hypertension, and Kowa will continue efforts to contribute to patients all over the world, including the East and Southeast Asia.
Kowa focuses on sensory organ diseases as one of its key therapeutic areas, especially ocular disorders. Kowa is developing Ripasudil for patients with Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy, as well as those with glaucoma and ocular hypertension. Kowa also is developing intraocular lenses for cataracts (Brand name: AVANSEE?) and ophthalmic medical equipment, including fundus cameras, seeking to address other unmet medical needs.

GLANATECR Ophthalmic Solution 0.4%

GLANATECR Ophthalmic Solution 0.4% includes Ripasudil as an active ingredient, and lowers
intraocular pressure by promoting discharge of aqueous humor through a main outflow via
trabecular meshwork-Schlemm’s canal as a result of Rho kinase inhibitory activity
In clinical studies enrolling patients with primary open-angle glaucoma and ocular
hypertension in Japan, GLANATECR Ophthalmic Solution 0.4% has been demonstrated
to be effective in lowering intraocular pressure in both cases of mono-therapy and
conjunctival therapy along with conventional treatment-glaucoma and ocular
hypertension drugs.