Munich - 11. March 2009 – The professional journal “R&D Directions Magazine” recognized DAIICHI SANKYO as having the “2009 Best Cardiovascular Pipeline”, based on two of its promising compounds, EFIENT® and Edoxaban (DU 176b). The company, which has businesses in 12 European countries, has realised an outstanding achievement in the fight against cardiovascular diseases, concluded the journal. Today DAIICHI SANKYO will be officially awarded during the “R&D Directions Award Ceremony” in Phoenix, Arizona.

According to the publication DAIICHI SANKYO possesses the best cardiovascular pipeline in the industry because EFIENT, an antiplatelet and anticoagulant, and the antithrombotic development compound Edoxaban hold great potential. DAIICHI SANKYO is one of three companies in the world that carries out research in both areas, anticoagulants and anti-thrombotics. It has been active here for more than 25 years.

The magazine also noted that the company has been able to record many accomplishments, from the discovery of the statin class to the success of the anti-hypertension medication OLMETEC®.

“We believe that we are making a significant contribution to an important area of medicine, and we are proud to be recognized for our efforts and our promising pipeline,” said Dr. John Alexander, Global Head of Research and Development of DAIICHI SANKYO. “Coronary heart disease is the single most common cause of death in the EU each year, resulting in over 741,000 deaths. We believe doctors and their patients need new therapies to treat this devastating disease. We believe that our pipeline will provide them with new benefits and treatment options.”

CONTACT
Thorsten Schueller
Media Relations

Phone +49(0)89/78 08-657

thorsten.schueller@daiichi-sankyo.eu

Olaf Lamberz

Corporate Communications

Phone +49(0)89/78 08-442 

olaf.lamberz@daiichi-sankyo.eu

^{Forward-looking statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements and information about future developments in the sector, and the legal and business conditions of DAIICHI SANKYO EUROPE GmbH. Such forward-looking statements are uncertain and are subject at all times to the risks of change, particularly to the usual risks faced by a global pharmaceutical company, including the impact of the prices for products and raw materials, medication safety, changes in exchange rates, government regulations, employee relations, taxes, political instability and terrorism as well as the results of independent demands and governmental inquiries that affect the affairs of the company. All forward-looking statements contained in this release hold true as of the date of publication. They do not represent any guarantee of future performance. Actual events and developments could differ materially from the forward-looking statements that are explicitly expressed or implied in these statements. DAIICHI SANKYO EUROPE GmbH assumes no responsibility for the updating of such forward-looking statements about future developments of the sector, legal and business conditions and the company.}