Kowa Company, Ltd. (Headquarters: Nagoya, Japan, President & CEO: Yoshihiro Miwa, hereafter referred to as “Kowa”) announced that “Ripasudil Hydrochloride Hydrate” (hereafter refer to as “Ripasudil”), a Rho kinase inhibitor, for the indications of Open-Angle Glaucoma and Ocular Hypertension has been approved by HSA (Health Sciences Authority) in Singapore.
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 and approved by HSA. Kowa plans to establish a direct sales system to support the marketing of Ripasudil. Following this approval in Singapore, Kowa continues efforts to gain approval for Ripasudil in counties all over the world.
Kowa focuses on sensory organ diseases as one of its key therapeutic areas, especially ocular
disorders. Kowa is developing Ripasudil for corneal endothelial diseases, as well as a fixeddose combination (Ripasudil Hydrochloride Hydrate / Brimonidine Tartrate) in patients
with glaucoma or ocular hypertension. In addition, Kowa markets intraocular lenses for
cataracts, and seeks 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.