DAIICHI SANKYO, INC. CELEBRATES THE GROWTH OF ITS U. S. HEADQUARTERS

Caren Franzini, CEO of New Jersey Economic Development Authority, highlights New Jersey’s talented workforce and strategic location as factors for economic growth and prosperity

Parsippany, N.J. (May 13, 2009) – Daiichi Sankyo, Inc. (DSI) announced today that the company has recently completed a major renovation and build-out of the interior of its Two Hilton Court U.S. headquarters facility to accommodate its growing workforce, creating sole occupancy by DSI of the building’s 186,000 square feet.

Daiichi Sankyo, which has been doing business in New Jersey for more than 12 years, commemorated this growth milestone with a celebration for all of its employees today at the Parsippany headquarters. Caren Franzini, CEO, New Jersey Economic Development Authority, and Bob Franks, president, HealthCare Institute of New Jersey, attended the celebration and addressed employees, thanking them for their years of commitment to the New Jersey community and patients worldwide.
New Jersey Governor Jon S. Corzine signed a state proclamation congratulating Daiichi Sankyo employees for their success, the expansion of the company headquarters and commitment to the state.

“Daiichi Sankyo has not only made important contributions to pharmaceutical science, but has provided welcomed support to the Parsippany community and the citizens of New Jersey,” said Governor Corzine. “The pharmaceutical industry plays a critical role in the state’s economy, which is particularly important to us right now during these difficult economic times. Daiichi Sankyo is an example of a global company that has leveraged the advantages that the State of New Jersey offers to drive business growth. We are proud that the company has laid its foundation in the Garden State and will continue its commitment to developing innovative medicines that create hope in patients’ lives.”

The U.S. headquarters facility houses Daiichi Sankyo’s 480 Parsippany-based employees, including corporate offices and all functions that support the company’s commercial operations. When completely staffed, the building will house approximately 600 employees. In addition, the company has a clinical development division in Edison, New Jersey that employs 350 people who oversee clinical trials being conducted around the world.

The company expanded its U.S. workforce over the past few years as it launched several products for the treatment of hypertension, lipid disorders and diabetes, and in anticipation of the continuing development of its robust pipeline of compounds for cardiovascular disease and oncology, including an antiplatelet agent currently under FDA review.

According to a 2008 report by the HealthCare Institute of New Jersey, drug industry employment in the state dropped by 600 jobs in 2007, but Daiichi Sankyo experienced a 100 percent increase in New Jersey personnel from 2007 – 2008 alone, and a 10-fold increase in employees since its first occupancy of 15,000 square feet at the headquarters building in 1997.

“We are very happy to have made New Jersey the site of our U.S. headquarters,” said Joseph P. Pieroni, president and CEO, Daiichi Sankyo, Inc. “The state has a long history of supporting the pharmaceutical industry and offers a highly skilled workforce to help us stay competitive. We’re pleased to be part of the Parsippany community, and to have partnered with our neighbors in supporting projects that are vital to the well-being of New Jersey residents,” Pieroni added.

About Daiichi Sankyo, Inc.

Daiichi Sankyo Inc., headquartered in Parsippany, New Jersey, is the U.S. subsidiary of Tokyo-based Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., which is a global pharmaceutical innovator. The headquarters company was established in 2005 from the merger of two leading Japanese pharmaceutical companies. This integration created a more robust organization that allows for continuous development of novel drugs that enrich the quality of life for patients around the world. A central focus of Daiichi Sankyo’s research and development is cardiovascular disease, including therapies for dyslipidemia, hypertension, diabetes and acute coronary syndrome. Also important to the company is the discovery of new medicines in the areas of infectious diseases, cancer, bone and joint diseases, and immune disorders. For more information, visit www.dsi.com.

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