Eisai has set up a sales and marketing operation in the Netherlands, initially to promote its epilepsy treatment Zonegran.

Managing director of the new subsidiary Gert-Jan Kouseband said that Eisai's entry into the Netherlands is "aligned with the company's wider strategy of establishing a solid foundation in Europe". He noted that the Japanese drugmaker currently has one drug on the market there and hopes to have five products available in the coming months.

The initial focus will be on epilepsy "and a dedicated Eisai team has already been established", the company said. It is estimated that 100,000 Dutch people suffer from epilepsy and the availability of Zonegran (zonisamide), an adjunctive treatment for adults with partial seizures, with or without secondary generalisation, "will provide an additional treatment option to help manage their condition".