Abstract
Tamsulosin hydrochloride (Harnal) is a drug for dysuria associated with prostatic hyperplasia that was developed by Yamanouchi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. It works by blocking adrenergic α1-adrenoceptors. Dysuria covers a variety of urogenital issues, including prostatic hyperplasia, polyuria, and urinary incontinence. Among these conditions, tamsulosin is effective at reducing dysuria caused by hypertrophy of the prostatic gland. Tamsulosin is prescribed as a once-daily dose and has transformed prostate hyperplasia therapy. Indeed, tamsulosin is both a first-in-class and best-in-class drug that has dominated market share. The research and development (R&D) process for tamsulosin was distinctive in two ways. First, R&D into tamsulosin did not originally begin with the intent of creating a drug to treat dysuria. In fact, a new application of an already-known compound originally developed as an antihypertensive drug was discovered as a result of unauthorized research. Second, continued R&D into tamsulosin led to progress in the scientific understanding of the mechanism of action in the prostate, which was clarified by an academia–industry collaboration.
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Notes
- 1.
Astellas Inc., Drug Interview Form: Harnal D Tablet.
- 2.
Astellas Inc., Drug Interview Form: Harnal D Tablet.
- 3.
Interview with Dr. Toichi Takenaka, in May 18, 2012.
- 4.
Interview with Dr. Toichi Takenaka, 18 May 2012.
- 5.
Interview with Dr. Toichi Takenaka, 18 May 2012.
- 6.
Astellas Inc., Drug Interview Form: Harnal D Tablet.
- 7.
Interview with Dr. Toichi Takenaka, 18 May 2012.
- 8.
Astellas Inc., Drug Interview Form: Harnal D Tablet.
- 9.
The Handbook for Healthcare Drugs.
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Hara, Y., Nagumo, A., Oda, H. (2019). Tamsulosin (Harnal, Flomax, OMNIC). In: Nagaoka, S. (eds) Drug Discovery in Japan. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-8906-1_7
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