Sankyo To Launch Osteoporosis Treatment Drug In Europe (Medical News Today, 24 July 2006)

Daiichi Sankyo Europe GmbH, a wholly owned subsidiary of Sankyo Co. Ltd., have agreed with Eli Lilly on the launch of EVISTA (raloxifene), a new drug that helps prevent osteoporosis and can only be taken after menopause. Raloxifene is a selective estrogen receptor modulator, specifically developed to maintain beneficial estrogenic activity on bone and lipids and antiestrogenic activity on endometrial and breast tissue. It slows bone loss and slightly increases normal bone growth. Because of its tissue selectivity, raloxifene may have fewer side effects than are typically observed with estrogen therapy including vaginal bleeding and breast tenderness. There still needs more proof that raloxifene can also prevent bone fractures or lowers the risk of heart disease.

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