AMITIZA 8 mcg now available to treat irritable bowe...( Bethesda Md. and Deerfield Ill. May ...),Health

Bethesda, Md., and Deerfield, Ill., May 27, 2008 Sucampo Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: SCMP) and Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America, Inc. today announced that AMITIZA (lubiprostone) 8 mcg capsules are now available by prescription in pharmacies across the U.S. for the treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation (IBS-C) in women 18 years and older. AMITIZA 24 mcg capsules have been available by prescription to treat Chronic Idiopathic Constipation in adults since 2006.

AMITIZA is the only widely available FDA-approved prescription treatment option that can provide overall symptom relief for the millions of adult women in the U.S. with IBS-C.

AMITIZA has a mechanism of action that works locally in the intestine to increase fluid secretion, resulting in increased passage of stool and alleviating symptoms associated with Chronic Idiopathic Constipation.

Although it is not well understood how AMITIZA works to reduce symptoms in patients with IBS-C, ex vivo animal studies suggest that AMITIZA stimulates recovery of mucosal barrier function by restoring tight junction protein complexes.

The effects of IBS-C can be debilitating and far-reachingaffecting many aspects of a persons life, said Charles Baum, M.D., gastroenterologist, executive medical director, Gastroenterology and Internal Medicine, at Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America, Inc. The availability of AMITIZA makes it possible for appropriate patients to receive a widely available prescription medication that can be an important tool to help treat this condition.

I am very pleased with the quick commercial launch of AMITIZA 8 mcg for this particular indication as it could provide a treatment option to many adult women suffering from IBS-C, said Ryuji Ueno, M.D., Ph.D., Ph.D., founder, chairman and chief executive officer, Sucampo Pharmaceuticals.

AMITIZA was developed by Sucampo Pharmaceuticals and is co-marketed in the U.S. by S
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