Data Reveals Changes in Management of Patients Living with Atrial Fibrillation in Europe (y 2)

AF is an abnormal rhythm of the heart.[12] The heart has four chambers - two atria and two ventricles.[13] The atria pump blood into the ventricles and the right ventricle pumps blood around the body; they therefore have to work in sequence for the heart to pump blood most effectively with each heartbeat.[13] A normal heart pumps blood with a regular rhythm - it can beat quickly or slowly but the interval between beats is the same.[13]When a patient suffers from AF, numerous electrical pulses that fire from the heart muscles in the atria override the normal controlling 'timer' in the heart.[13] When this happens, the atria contract rapidly, but only partially, and as a result pump blood less effectively.[13] Consequently, blood is not pumped effectively from the atria, which may cause the blood to stagnate and form clots. These blood clots can break off and travel through the blood stream e.g. to the brain, where they have the potential to cause a stroke.[13]

About Edoxaban

Edoxaban is licensed only in Japan for the prevention of venous thromboembolism (VTE) after major orthopaedic surgery, under the brand name Lixiana(R). Elsewhere, including Europe and the U.S., edoxaban is currently in phase 3 of clinical development and has not yet been approved. Daiichi Sankyo continues to develop edoxaban at a global level as a potential new treatment for the prevention of SEE in patients with NVAF and for the treatment and prevention of recurrence of VTE in patients with acute DVT and/or PE.

About Daiichi Sankyo

Daiichi Sankyo Group is dedicated to the creation and supply of innovative pharmaceutical products to address the diversified, unmet medical needs of patients in both mature and emerging markets. While maintaining its portfolio of marketed pharmaceuticals for hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and bacterial infections, the Group is engaged in the development of treatments for thrombotic disorders and focused on the discovery of novel oncology and cardiovascular-metabolic therapies. Furthermore, the Daiichi Sankyo Group has created a "Hybrid Business Model," which will respond to market and customer diversity and optimise growth opportunities across the value chain. For more information, please visit: http://www.daiichisankyo.com

About Daiichi Sankyo Europe

Daiichi Sankyo's European base is located in Munich and has affiliates in 12 European countries in addition to a global manufacturing site located in Pfaffenhofen, Germany. For more information, please visit: http://www.daiichi-sankyo.eu

Forward-looking statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements and information about future developments in the sector, and the legal and business conditions of Daiichi Sankyo Europe GmbH. Such forward-looking statements are uncertain and are subject at all times to the risks of change, particularly to the usual risks faced by a global pharmaceutical company, including the impact of the prices for products and raw materials, medication safety, changes in exchange rates, government regulations, employee relations, taxes, political instability and terrorism as well as the results of independent demands and governmental inquiries that affect the affairs of the company. All forward-looking statements contained in this release hold true as of the date of publication. They do not represent any guarantee of future performance. Actual events and developments could differ materially from the forward-looking statements that are explicitly expressed or implied in these statements. Daiichi Sankyo Europe GmbH assumes no responsibility for the updating of such forward-looking statements about future developments of the sector, legal and business conditions and the company.

References:

1. Trends in management of patients with atrial fibrillation in 5 European countries: Primary results of the PREFER in AF Registry. Presented at the Europace Congress, Late Breaking Trials session II, 26 June 2013.

2. Camm, A. et al. Guidelines for the management of atrial fibrillation: the Task Force for the Management of Atrial Fibrillation of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC). European Heart Journal. 2010;31:2369-429.

3. Pedersen, O. D. et al. Increased risk of sudden and non-sudden cardiovascular death in patients with atrial fibrillation/flutter following acute myocardial infarction. European Heart Journal. 2006;27:290-5.

4. Jones, M. et al. Evaluation of the pattern of treatment, level of anticoagulation control, and outcome of treatment with warfarin in patients with non-valvar atrial fibrillation: a record linkage study in a large British population. Heart. 2005;91:472-7.

5. Kirchhof, P., Lip, G.Y., Van Gelder, I.C. et al. Comprehensive risk reduction in patients with atrial fibrillation: Emerging diagnostic and therapeutic options. Executive summary of the report from the 3rd AFNET/EHRA consensus conference. Thromb Haemost 2011;106:1012-9.

6. de Vos, C.B., Pisters, R., Nieuwlaat, R. et al. Progression from paroxysmal to persistent atrial fibrillation clinical correlates and prognosis. J Am Coll Cardiol 2010;55:725-31.

7. Jahangir, A., Lee, V., Friedman, P.A. et al. Long-term progression and outcomes with aging in patients with lone atrial fibrillation: a 30-year follow-up study. Circulation 2007;115:3050-6.

8. Fuster, V. et al. ACC/AHA/ESC 2006 Guidelines for the Management of Patients With Atrial Fibrillation-Executive Summary. Circulation. 2006;114:700-752.

9. Raskob, G. et al. Edoxaban for the long-term treatment of venous thromboembolism: rationale and design of the Hokusai-VTE study. 2013.

10. Ruff, C et al. Evaluation of the novel factor Xa inhibitor Edoxaban compared with warfarin in patients with atrial fibrillation: Design and rationale for the Effective aNticoaGulation with factor xA next Generation in Atrial Fibrillation-Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction study 48 (ENGAGE AF-TIMI 48). Am Heart J. 2010;160:635-641.

11. Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT00986154. Comparative Investigation of Low Molecular Weight (LMW) Heparin/Edoxaban Tosylate (DU176b) Versus (LMW) Heparin/Warfarin in the Treatment of Symptomatic Deep-Vein Blood Clots and/or Lung Blood Clots.(The Edoxaban Hokusai-VTE Study).[Last accessed: May 2013]. Available at:http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/study...

12. NHS Choices. Atrial Fibrillation. Available at http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/atrial-fibrillation/pages/treat.... Last accessed April 2013.

13. Patient.co.uk http://www.patient.co.uk/pdf/pilsL10.pdf.... Last accessed April2013

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        For more information, please contact:
        Daria Munsel
        Daiichi Sankyo Europe GmbH
        Tel: +49(89)-7808728 (Office)