2013年1月14日讯 --安斯泰来（Astellas）与日本三和化学研究所（Sanwa Kagaku Kenkyusho）宣布，推出ARGAMATE颗粒（89.2%，5.6g，通用名：聚苯乙烯磺酸钙）。
该药是一种高钾血症治疗药物，主要用于预防和治疗急、慢性肾功能不全和肾衰患者的高钾血症。
英文原文：Astellas Pharma Inc. ("Astellas"; Tokyo: 4503; President and CEO: Yoshihiko Hatanaka) and Sanwa Kagaku Kenkyusho Co., Ltd. ("SKK"; Nagoya; President: Kazuo Yamamoto) announced today the launch of a hyperkalemia treatment "ARGAMATE? 89.29% Granule 5.6g" ("ARGAMATE? Granule"; generic name: calcium polystyrene sulfonate) in Japan on January 11, 2013.
ARGAMATE? Granule helps to evacuate the excessive potassium in the gastrointestinal tract by exchanging potassium ions in the intestine with the drug's calcium ions, and is used to treat hyperkalemia caused by acute or chronic renal failure.
Hyperkalemia medications are often difficult to take because of their rough sensation and other properties of the ingredient. SKK developed "ARGAMATE? 20% Jelly 25g" by formulation innovation to meet patients' needs for improved swallowing, and it has become a main medication for the treatment of hyperkalemia.
ARGAMATE? Granule is a product with different formulation of ARGAMATE?, having greatly improved ease of swallowing, and it is anticipated that ARGAMATE? Granule will also provide an additional therapeutic option to patients with hyperkalemia.
The main characteristics of ARGAMATE? Granule are as follows:
1) It is not necessary to be suspended beforehand and ARGAMATE? Granule can be easily taken with a small amount of water.
2) Granules are processed to have a smooth surface and a reduced rough and burning sensation.
3) ARGAMATE? Granule is a granular preparation of cation exchanger resin of calcium salt.
Astellas and SKK established a strategic alliance in February 2012 in the pharmaceutical market for kidney diseases in Japan. Under the alliance, SKK will supply ARGAMATE? Granule to Astellas and Astellas will distribute it, while both companies will conduct co-promotion activities.
Through the strategic alliance Astellas and SKK expect to further contribute to patients with kidney diseases by providing various medical treatments for this pharmaceutical market in Japan.
