Eisai dissolves joint venture with Bracco Imaging

Bracco and Eisai established Bracco-Eisai in 1990 with the aim of establishing a contrast agent business in Japan. The companies launched the non-ionic contrast agent Iomeron and the macrocyclic non-ionic contrast agent ProHance for MRI in 1994, and have worked together in a friendly partnership for more than 30 years. After comprehensive consideration, the companies decided to dissolve the joint venture in order to respond quickly and flexibly to the changing environment surrounding the healthcare industry and achieve sustainable contributions to patients through these products.

Regarding Iomeron and ProHance, products that Eisai and Bracco-Eisai have co-promoted thus far, Eisai and Bracco-Japan will continue to co-promote these products between April 1, 2023 and March 31, 2024, with Bracco-Japan as the domestic manufacturer and Eisai as the distributor. Bracco Japan will exclusively commercialize the products from April 1, 2024.

“The Asia-Pacific region plays a leading role in diagnostic imaging and is expected to grow faster than other global markets.” said Fulvio Renoldi Bracco, Vice-Chairman & CEO of Bracco Imaging S.p.A. “Bracco has had a considerable presence in Japan for many years and will continue to strengthen its relationships with customers in order to better understand and meet the needs of customers in Japan. We will continue to provide better diagnostic imaging technology and services.”

“We are deeply grateful to Bracco, with whom we have worked together for more than 30 years since Bracco-Eisai’s founding to contribute to patients in the field of diagnostic imaging.” said Haruo Naito, Chief Executive Officer at Eisai Co., Ltd. “Based on our human health care concept, Eisai will continue to play a role in providing information on both Iomeron and ProHance until the end of March 2024, and will take all possible measures to ensure a smooth transfer of operations, so that Bracco Japan can maintain its contribution to patients.”