Launch of ROMIPLATE^® [250 mcg] for subcutaneous injection - Platelet producer stimulating thrombopoietin receptors for treatment of chronic Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura

Tokyo, April 13, 2011 - Kyowa Hakko Kirin Co., Ltd. ((Kyowa Hakko Kirin) Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Japan; President, Yuzuru Matsuda) today launched sales of ROMIPLATE^® [250 mcg] for subcutaneous injection. ROMIPLATE^® is biopharmaceutical product designated as an orphan drug on February 2, 2010.

ROMIPLATE^®, a genetically recombinant protein, stimulates platelet production via stimulation of the thrombopoietin receptors. In domestic and overseas clinical trials on patients with chronic Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP) it demonstrated effectiveness for sustained platelet production and patient tolerance. As of December 2010 it had been approved in 28 countries, including the U.S. and Europe, marketed by Amgen Inc. as Nplate^™.

Chronic ITP is normally treated with pharmaceuticals that improve blood platelet count by suppressing platelet destruction, but ROMIPLATE^® serves to improve platelet counts by stimulating platelet production. With the launch of ROMIPLATE^® in Japan, Kyowa Hakko Kirin hopes to assist patients and medical professionals by providing a new treatment option for chronic ITP.

Kyowa Hakko Kirin's vision is to be a Japan-based global specialty pharmaceutical company that contributes to the health and comfort of people around the world through innovative drug discovery and commercialization, driven by state-of-the-art technologies.