Continuation of the Cooperation Agreement with Aichi Prefecture on Drug Abuse Prevention

OSAKA, Japan, April 1, 2022 - Shionogi & Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Osaka, Japan; President and CEO: Isao Teshirogi, Ph.D.; hereafter "Shionogi") signed the “Agreement on Substance Abuse Prevention Cooperation” with Aichi Prefecture (Governor: Hideaki Ohmura) in May 2018. Since then, Shionogi and Aichi Prefecture have collaboratively worked on various initiatives focusing on awareness-raising for drug abuse prevention and proper use of medicines. Shionogi hereby announces that both parties have agreed to extend the Agreement as well as the activities undertaken under the Agreement for one year.

In fiscal 2021, our activities were mainly focused on holding web seminars. To raise awareness of drug abuse prevention and to provide accurate information on the proper use of prescription narcotics to as many residents of Aichi Prefecture as possible, while reducing the risk of infection amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we held seminars online under the joint sponsorship of the Japanese Drug Organization of Appropriate Use and Research (J-DO), an Aichi-based NPO focused on promoting the proper use of drugs, and with the support of the Aichi Pharmaceutical Association and the Aichi Prefectural Society of Hospital Pharmacists. By using an online format, in fiscal 2021 we were able to reach more people than ever and to raise awareness regarding drug abuse prevention and the proper use of prescription narcotics.

Recently, substance abuse is spreading across the world and is one of the most serious social problems. Prescription narcotics have traditionally played an important role in pain treatment, mainly for cancer pain. In Japan, the role of home medical care has increased in recent years, especially with the progress of community-based comprehensive care, and accordingly, broadening the understanding of the proper use of prescription narcotics is needed more than ever. In fiscal 2022, Aichi Prefecture and Shionogi will continue to work closely together and to carry out activities in accordance with the Agreement while leveraging of their respective strengths.

Having defined “Improve social productivity and extend healthy lifespans” as one of its key material issues, Shionogi is seeking to create a society in which patients suffering from pain are able to use prescription narcotics with greater peace of mind. In addition to our ongoing activities to promote the proper use of prescription narcotics for cancer pain relief and palliative care, we will implement various initiatives under the extended agreement with Aichi Prefecture to prevent the misuse of medicines, including prescription narcotics, in order to further contribute to creating a society in which those suffering chronic pain can get relief without abusing prescription narcotics.

Forward-Looking Statements

This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These statements are based on expectations in light of the information currently available, assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from these statements. Risks and uncertainties include general domestic and international economic conditions such as general industry and market conditions, and changes of interest rate and currency exchange rate. These risks and uncertainties particularly apply with respect to product-related forward-looking statements. Product risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, completion and discontinuation of clinical trials; obtaining regulatory approvals; claims and concerns about product safety and efficacy; technological advances; adverse outcome of important litigation; domestic and foreign healthcare reforms and changes of laws and regulations. Also for existing products, there are manufacturing and marketing risks, which include, but are not limited to, inability to build production capacity to meet demand, lack of availability of raw materials and entry of competitive products. The company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

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