WOODCLIFF LAKE, N.J. (Map) - WOODCLIFF LAKE, N.J., May 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Eisai Corporation of North America announced today that results from 16 clinical data abstracts about compounds in the company's oncology pipeline, product portfolio and preclinical oncology research have been accepted for presentation at the 44th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), taking place in Chicago from May 30 to June 3, 2008.

A wide variety of abstracts on Eisai marketed products and investigational compounds will showcase research focused on metastatic breast cancer, lung cancer, ovarian cancer, brain cancer, mesothelioma, pancreatic cancer, myelodysplastic syndromes and other types of cancer, as well as supportive care to aid those currently undergoing treatment for cancer.

"Eisai's commitment to oncology is clearly translating into the substantial growth of our pipeline," said Haruo Naito, President and CEO, Eisai Co., Ltd. "Eisai's focus on becoming a global leader in oncology reflects our human health care mission to satisfy unmet medical needs and increase benefits to patients and their families."

    The following Eisai abstracts are accepted for presentation at this year's
ASCO meeting.
    Product                   Abstract Details               Location Details
    MORAb-003            Exploratory Phase II Efficacy        June 1, 2008
    (farletuzumab)        Study of MORAb-003, a Monoclonal    4:30-4:45 p.m.
    Abstract No: 5500     Antibody against Folate Receptor    Location:  S406
                          Alpha, in Platinum-Sensitive        (Vista Room)
                          Ovarian Cancer in First Relapse
                          Oral Presentation
    E7080                A phase I study of E7080 in          May 31, 2008
    Abstract No: 3526     patients with advanced              8:00 a.m.
                          malignancies                         -12:00 p.m.
                                                              Location: W375E
                                                               Lobby
                         Poster 3                             Poster
                         Awarded a Foundation Merit Award      discussion
                                                              12:00-1:00 p.m.
                                                              Location: W375A
    E7080                Phase I dose escalation study        May 31, 2008
    Abstract No: 3527     and biomarker analysis of           8:00 a.m.
                          E7080 in patients with               -12:00 p.m.
                          advanced solid tumors               Location: W375E
                         Poster 4                              Lobby
                                                              Poster
                                                               discussion
                                                              12:00-1:00 p.m.
                                                              Location: W375A
    Cutaneous T-cell     (Integrated analysis of three        May 31, 2008
     Lymphoma             large Phase III trials in CTCL)     8:00 a.m.
    Abstract No: 8551    Poster 45A                            -12:00 p.m.
                                                              Location: S Hall
                                                               A1
    MORAb-003            A Phase I Study of MORAb-003,        May 31, 2008
    (farletuzumab)        a Humanized Monoclonal Antibody     2:00-6:00 p.m.
    Abstract No: 5517     Against Folate Receptor Alpha,      Location: S403
                          in Advanced Epithelial              Poster
                          Ovarian Cancer                       discussion
                          Poster 7                            5:00-6:00 p.m.
                                                              Location: S406
                                                               (Vista Room)
    ALOXI(R)              Palonosetron (PALO) for             May 31, 2008
    (palonosetron HCl)     Prevention of Chemotherapy-        2:00-6:00 p.m.
    Abstract No: 9617      induced Nausea and Vomiting        Location: S Hall
                           in Patients Receiving High-         A1
                           dose Melphalan Prior to
                           Stem Cell Transplant
                          Poster 46B
    GCP II Inhibitor      Glutamate Carboxypeptidase II       May 31, 2008
    Abstract No: 9558      Inhibition in Rat Models of        2:00-6:00 p.m.
                           Chemotherapy-induced               Location: S Hall
                           Peripheral Neurotoxicity            A1
                          Poster 37A
    E7820                 A phase I study of E7820 in         June 1, 2008
    Abstract No: 3568      combination with cetuximab in      2:00-6:00 p.m.
                           patients (pts) with advanced       Location: S Hall
                           solid tumors                        A1
                          Poster 24G
    MORAb-009             A Phase I Study of MORAb-009,       June 1, 2008
    Abstract No: 3578      a Monoclonal Antibody against      2:00-6:00 p.m.
                           Mesothelin, in Mesothelioma,       Location: S Hall
                           Pancreatic, and Ovarian Cancer      A1
                          Poster 27C
    Eribulin              Phase II Study of Eribulin          June 2, 2008
     Mesylate (E7389)      Mesylate (E7389) in Patients       2:00-6:00 p.m.
    Abstract No: 1084      with Locally Advanced or           Location: S Hall
                           Metastatic Breast Cancer            A1
                           Previously Treated with
                           Anthracycline, Taxane, and
                           Capecitabine Therapy
                          Poster 38A
    Advanced Breast       Oncologist and Patient Roles in     June 2, 2008
     Cancer                Assessing Current and Future       2:00-6:00 p.m.
    Abstract No: 1064      Treatment for Metastatic           Location: S Hall
                           Breast Cancer: Results of an        A1
                           Observational Linguistic study
                          Poster 32B
    DACOGEN(R)            A Multicenter Phase II Trial of     June 2, 2008
    (decitabine)           the Decitabine Alternative         2:00-6:00 p.m.
    Abstract No: 7032      5-day Dosing Regimen: Analysis     Location: E450A
                           of Efficacy in Various
                           Subgroups of Patients with         Poster
                           Myelodysplastic Syndromes           discussion
                          Poster 21                           5:00-6:00 p.m.
                                                              Location: E354A
    DACOGEN(R)            Cytogenetic Responses to a          June 2, 2008
    (decitabine)           5-Day Dosing Schedule of           2:00-6:00 p.m.
    Abstract No: 7030      Decitabine in Patients with        Location: E450A
                           Myelodysplastic Syndromes
                         Poster 19                            Poster
                                                               discussion
                                                              5:00-6:00 p.m.
                                                              Location: E354A
    ALOXI(R)             Palonosetron (PALO) versus          Accepted for
    (palonosetron         granisetron (GRAN), both            publication
     HCl)                 combined with dexamethasone         only.
                          (DEX) in preventing
                          chemotherapy-induced nausea
                          and vomiting (CINV) associated
                          with cisplatin- or anthracycline
                          plus cyclophosphamide-based
                          regimens: Results of a Phase III
                          trial in Japanese patients
    ALOXI(R)             Palonosetron (PALO), administered   Accepted for
    (palonosetron         orally or intravenously (IV),       publication
     HCl)                 plus dexamethasone for prevention   only.
                          of chemotherapy-induced nausea
                          and vomiting (CINV)
    GLIADEL(R) Wafer     Treatment of Adults with Newly      Accepted for
    (polifeprosan 20      Diagnosed Glioblastoma              publication
    with carmustine       Multiforme or Anaplastic            only.
    implant)              Astrocytoma with Surgery, Gliadel
                          Wafers and Limited Field
                          Radiation Plus Concomitant
                          Temozolomide Followed by
                          Adjuvant Temozolomide

Eisai began its oncology research program in 1987, discovering several small molecules that are in development as chemotherapeutic agents. In addition to its in-house oncology research and development (R&D) program, Eisai made three strategic acquisitions to establish a solid business infrastructure and enter the U.S. oncology market.

In October 2006, Eisai acquired four products mainly for the treatment of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, as well as an oncology specialty sales force from Ligand Pharmaceuticals. This provided Eisai with an initial commercial infrastructure for oncology products. The acquisition of Morphotek, Inc. in April 2007 added important antibody technology and an antibody pipeline. In January 2008, Eisai acquired MGI PHARMA, INC., an oncology and acute care-focused company, to broaden its R&D and commercial capabilities, pipeline and product portfolio in oncology and supportive care.

Eisai is committed to addressing the unmet medical needs of patients with cancer and to delivering novel treatment options that create hope.

About Aloxi Injection

Aloxi is approved by the U.S. FDA for the prevention of acute nausea and vomiting associated with initial and repeat courses of moderately and highly emetogenic cancer chemotherapy and for the prevention of delayed nausea and vomiting associated with initial and repeat courses of moderately emetogenic cancer chemotherapy. Aloxi is the first and only 5-HT(3) receptor antagonist to be indicated for the prevention of delayed CINV caused by moderately emetogenic cancer chemotherapy.

The most common adverse reactions related to Aloxi were headache (9%) and constipation (5%). Aloxi is contraindicated in patients known to have hypersensitivity to the drug or any of its components.

Please see the Aloxi package insert, available at www.aloxi.com, for important additional details.

About Gliadel Wafer

Gliadel (polifeprosan 20 with carmustine implant) Wafer is indicated in patients with newly diagnosed high-grade malignant glioma as an adjunct to surgery and radiation. Gliadel is also indicated in patients with recurrent glioblastoma multiforme as an adjunct to surgery.

Gliadel should not be given to individuals who have demonstrated a previous hypersensitivity to carmustine or any of the components of Gliadel. Patients undergoing craniotomy for malignant glioma and implantation of Gliadel should be monitored closely for complications of craniotomy, including seizures, intracranial infections, abnormal wound healing and brain edema.

Communication between the surgical resection cavity and the ventricular system should be avoided to prevent the wafers from migrating into the ventricular system and causing obstructive hydrocephalus. If a communication larger than the diameter of a wafer exists, it should be closed prior to wafer implantation. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging of the head may demonstrate enhancement in the brain tissue surrounding the resection cavity after implantation of Gliadel. This enhancement may represent edema and inflammation caused by Gliadel or tumor progression. The short-term and long- term toxicity profiles of Gliadel, when given in conjunction with chemotherapy have not been fully explored.

Please visit www.mgipharma.com or www.gliadel.com for full prescribing information.

About Dacogen

Dacogen (decitabine) for Injection was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on May 2, 2006 and is indicated for treatment of patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) including previously treated and untreated, de novo and secondary MDS of all French-American-British (FAB) subtypes (refractory anemia, refractory anemia with ringed sideroblasts, refractory anemia with excess blasts, refractory anemia with excess blasts in transformation, chronic myelomonocytic leukemia), and Intermediate-1, Intermediate-2 and High-Risk International Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS) groups.

Dacogen may cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Women of childbearing potential should be advised to avoid becoming pregnant while using Dacogen. Men should be advised not to father a child while receiving treatment with Dacogen and for two months afterwards. The most commonly occurring adverse reactions with Dacogen include neutropenia (90%), thrombocytopenia (89%), anemia (82%), pyrexia (53%), fatigue (48%), nausea (42%), cough (40%), petechiae (39%), constipation (35%), and diarrhea (34%).

Please visit www.mgipharma.com or www.dacogen.com for full prescribing information.

About Eisai Corporation of North America

Eisai Corporation of North America is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Eisai Co., Ltd., a research-based human health care (hhc) company that discovers, develops and markets products throughout the world. Eisai focuses its efforts in three therapeutic areas: neurology, gastrointestinal disorders and oncology/critical care.

Eisai Corporation of North America supports the activities of its operating companies in North America, which include: Eisai Research Institute of Boston, Inc., a discovery operation with strong organic chemistry capabilities; Morphotek, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company specializing in the development of therapeutic monoclonal antibodies; Eisai Medical Research Inc., a clinical development group; Eisai Inc., a commercial operation with manufacturing and marketing/sales functions; MGI PHARMA, INC., an R&D and commercial operation with manufacturing and marketing/sales functions; and Eisai Machinery U.S.A., which markets and maintains pharmaceutical manufacturing machinery.

SOURCE Eisai Corporation of North America