OSAKA, Japan & FLORHAM PARK, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Shionogi & Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Osaka, Japan; President and CEO: Isao Teshirogi, Ph.D.; hereafter "Shionogi") has announced that effective immediately, Shionogi has regained full rights to Symproic® (naldemedine) tablets 0.2 mg in the United States. As Purdue Pharma L.P. is taking significant steps to transform and diversify beyond its historical focus on opioid pain medications, Shionogi and Purdue have agreed to terminate the prior alliance for the US co-commercialization of Symproic®. Shionogi has no residual financial or other obligations to Purdue. Shionogi has begun its own sales and distribution of Symproic®, and is in the process of seeking a new partner with strong commercial capabilities.

About Opioid-Induced Constipation (OIC)

Constipation is one of the most commonly reported side effects associated with opioid treatment, including among patients with chronic non-cancer pain.1 OIC is a result of increased fluid absorption and reduced GI motility due to mu opioid receptor binding in the GI tract. OIC is defined as a change in bowel habits that is characterized by any of the following after initiating opioid therapy: reduced bowel movement frequency, development or worsening of straining to pass bowel movements, a sense of incomplete rectal evacuation, or harder stool consistency.2 In patients receiving opioid therapy for chronic non-cancer pain, the prevalence of OIC ranges from approximately 40-50 percent.3-6

About Symproic

Symproic® (naldemedine) is indicated for the treatment of OIC in adult patients with chronic non-cancer pain, including patients with chronic pain related to prior cancer or its treatment who do not require frequent (e.g., weekly) opioid dosage escalation. Symproic® was made available to patients in the US in October 2017.