This page highlights a number of selected news items released from Japanese biotech and pharma companies.
February 2012
20 February 2012
3-D Matrix Ltd. licensed exclusive commercialization right ofTDM-641 in Japan to Fuso Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. Release
14 February 2012
UMN Pharma acquires worldwide rights to develop and commercialize novel norovirus and rotavirus vaccine candidates. Release
6 February 2012
Oncotherapy Science jointly initiates Phase III study for OCV-C01 with Otsuka Pharmaceutical. Release
January 2012
23 January 2012
Sosei announces collaboration with CEOLIA pharma. Release
16 January 2012
Nobelpharma and Eisai announce Japan launch of anti-convulsant agent Fostoin®. Release
13 January 2012 Kaneka Corporation actively expands into the cell therapy business through acquisition of Japanese regenerative medicine company BioMaster, Yokohama. Release
11 January 2012D. Western Therapeutics Institute (DWTI) initiates Phase IIb clinical trials for its anti-platelet agent and receives milestone payment from Kowa. Release
December 2011
29 December 2011RaQualia Pharma announces execution of Letter of Intent for COX-2 inhibitor. Release
21 December 2011
Chiome announces execution of a pilot study, material transfer and evaluation agreement with OncoMed Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Release
20 December 2011
Chiome lists on the Tokyo stock exchange.
7 December 2011
Mebiopharm establishes a healthcare joint venture with Nawaloka Holdings in Sri Lanka. Release
November 2011
8 November 2011Livtech and Yakult Honsha enter an option agreement for LIV-2008, Livtech's anti-cancer monoclonal antibody programme. Release
October 2011
26 October 2011
Solasia Pharma announces initiation of Darinaparsin injection Phase I study. Release
24 October 2011
3D Matrix lists on the Osaka Securities Exchange JASDAQ Growth Market.
20 October 2011
SymBio lists on the Osaka Securities Exchange JASDAQ Growth Market.
13 October 2011Medicinova receives $2.5 million from Kissei Pharmaceutical Co Ltd to expand clinical development of its asthma/COPD programme MN-221. Release
4 October 2011Ono to enter into license agreement with Merck KGaA. Release
September 2011
5 September 2011Astellas Pharma signs a license agreement with Evec for a fully-human antibody. Release
August 2011
31 August 2011Toyama Chemical and Eisai submit marketing authorisation application for anti-rheumatic agent T-614. Release
26 August 2011GNI Group Ltd. released Notice for Acquisition of Beijing Continent Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. Release
22 August 2011AnGes establishes a subsidiary company, AnGes Healthcare Science. Release
July 2011
28 July 2011Fujifilm and Dr Reddy's to establish an exclusive joint venture for developing, manufacturing and promoting generic drugs in Japan. Release
21 July 2011NanoCarrier initiates Phase II study of Nanoplatin, micellar nanoparticles containing cisplatin derivatives for cancer treatment. Release
20 July 2011RaQualia lists its common shares on the Osaka Securities Exchange. Release
15 July 2011Mebiopharm lists on Tokyo AIM. Release
8 July 2011Kringle Pharma initiates Phase I trial of recombinant human HGF for the treatment of ALS. Release
June 2011
21 June 2011Wakamoto Pharmaceuticals licenses ILM Blue dye for ophthalmology surgery from Aqumen Biopharmaceuticals. Release
10 June 2011Mebiopharm applies for listing on Tokyo AIM. Release
May 2011
12 May 2011Sosei announces collaboration with Toa Pharmaceuticals and Nitto Medic. Release
April 2011
19 April 2011 Sosei announces positive Phase III data of NVA237 in COPD patients. Release
4 April 2011 PRISM BioLab enters into license and collaborative research and development agreement with Eisai for CBP/β-CATENIN inhibitor and derivatives. Release
March 2011
31 March 2011 ECI Inc. executed a license agreement with Yuhan Corporation for development and commercialization of anti-cancer drug candidate ECI301 in territories of Korea, Thailand, Vietonum, Russia and CIS. Release
31 March 2011 MEDRx and AnGes MG enters into a license agreement for the improvement of skin permeability of NF-κB decoy oligodeoxynucleotide. Release
29 March 2011 OncoTherapy Science announced a license deal on anti-cancer peptide vaccine products with Ono Pharmaceuticals. Release
29 March 2011 RaQualia announces successful phase I study outcome for its acid pump antagonist. Release
February 2011
25 February 2011 SymBio Pharmaceuticals successfully completes JPY2.0 Billion (USD24 Million) series E private placement. Release
23 February 2011 Sosei receives approval from Japan MHLW for emergency contraceptive pill, NorLevo® tablets. Release
16 February 2011 RaQualia Grants a Non-Exclusive Patent License to Shire AG for the Use of Ghrelin Receptor Agonist. Release
15 February 2011 Toyama Chemical initiates a Phase 2 clinical trial in the US of its anti-influezna drug candidate T-705. Release
January 2011
24 January 2011 R-Tech Ueno completes Phase 2a clinical study of RK-023 to treat androgenetic alopecia. Release
December 2010
27 December 2011 Anges MG and Shionogi Pharmaceuticals executed co-development and licensing agreement for exclusive global commercialization of NF-κB decoioligo for treatment of atopic dermatitis. Release
21 December 2011 RaQualia announces collaboration and license agreement with Eli Lilly for pain treatments Release
21 December 2011 RaQualia announces agreement with Durata Therapeutics for Japanese rights to dalbavancin Release
20 December 2011 Bristol-Myers Squibb and Oncolys BioPharma enter global licensing agreement for investigational HIV compoundRelease
10 December 2011 SymBio pharmaceuticals launches TREAKISYM® in Japan. Release
November 2010
19 November 2010 Oncotherapy Science initiates Phase I/II clinical trials of its stomach cancer vaccine in Singapore. Release
11 November 2010 UMN Pharma secures exclusive rights from Protein Sciences Corporation to commercialize influenza vaccines in China, Hong Kong, Korea, Singapore and Taiwan. Release
October 2010
27 October 2010 SymBio Announces Japan NDA Approval of TREAKISYM® (Bendamustine Hydrochloride) Release
25 October 2010 Shionogi and GlaxoSmithKline to collaborate on novel antibiotics targeting drug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria. Release
21 October 2010 Chiome Bioscience and Fujirebio enter into a licensing and collaborative R&D agreement around Chiome's ADLib® system. Release
19 October 2010 Astellas and ASKA Enter into License Agreement for AKP-002, a potential treatment for functional symptoms of benign prostate hyperplasia. Release
September 2010
30 September 2010 Astellas and UMN Pharma enter into the definitive agreement for UMN Pharma’s Cell Culture Based Influenza Vaccine Programs in Japan. Release
10 September 2010 Eisai and Anaeropharma Science Conclude Agreements Concerning the Novel Anticancer Agent APS001 and a Drug Delivery System Using Bifidobacterium Longum. Release
6 September 2010 CJ CheilJedang Co and Raqualia Pharma sign licensing agreement for acid pump antagonist Release
August 2010
17 August 2010 Astellas Pharma Inc. and UMN Pharma Inc. enters into a memorandum of understanding for UMN Pharma's cell culture based influenza vaccine program in Japan. Release
July 2010
17 July 2010 MEDRx and its subsidiary IL Pharma Inc initiates phase III trial of MRX-7EAT, a pharmaceutical topical patch containing etodolac (NSAID) for the treatment of acute pain. Release
9 July 2010 ImmunoFrontier, Inc. announced that they have entered exclusive evaluation and negotiation agreement of their cancer vaccine, CHP-NY-ESO-1 with Daiichi Sankyo Pharmaceuticals. ImmnoFrontier has received some investment from Daiichi. Release
2 July 2010 Zeria Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. has started PhaseII study of TM-411 hepatic cancer drug candidate which was licensed from TMRC Co. Ltd. Release
June 2010
21 June 2010 Sosei to acquire Activus Pharma Release
14 June 2010 SymBio Pharmaceuticals and Cephalon Conclude License Agreement to Develop Drug for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus in Japan Release
3 June 2010 Kyowa Hakko Kirin to enter out-licensing agreement with Viovail for anti-parkinson's disease drug KW-6002 in North AmericaRelease
May 2010
31May 2010 RaQualia Pharma and Maruishi Pharmaceutical sign Letter of Intent for EP4 antagnoist (RQ-00000007). Release
26 May 2010 Asahi Kasei Pharma Initiates Phase IIa Trial in Japan for Pentosan Polysulfate Sodium (Pentosan) for Knee Osteoarthritis. Release
10 May 2010 Sosei Announce Start of Phase III Clinical Study with QVA149. Will receive $7.5m Milestone from Novartis. Release
April 2010
20 April 2010 UMN Pharma Confirms Immunogenicity and Safety of Avian Influenza A (H5N1) Vaccine Manufactured from Cell-Culture, UMN-0501 in Phase II Clinical Trial. Release
6 April 2010 Daiichi Sankyo Company, Limited submits a New Drug Application in Japan seeking approval of the anticoagulant, edoxaban, for the prevention of venous thromboembolism (VTE) after major orthopedic surgery.
March 2010
16 March 2010 CellSeed Inc. a regenerated medicine producer listed its shares in JASDAQ's NEO market.
February 2010
26 February 2010 Daiichi Sankyo Group to establish generics business in Japan, Daiichi Sankyo Espha. Release
9 February 2010 Fujifilm Corporation announced the establishment of Fujifilm Pharma Corporation, making a full-scale entry into the clinical development and sales of pharmaceutical products. Release
4 February 2010 Kissei Pharmaceutical's Silodosin approved in Europe for the treatment of dysuria associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia. Release
January 2010
28 January 2010 SymBio's Bendamustine HCl (SyB L-0501) approved in Singapore and Hong Kong. Release
26 January 2010 Otsuka Pharmaceuticals secure manaufacturing and commecialization right of cancer vaccine, OTS102 from OncoTherapy Science Inc. Release
4 January 2010 Dicerna Pharmaceuticals signs deal with Kyowa Hakko Kirin to develop RNAi cancer treatments Release
December 2009
11 December 2009 Daiichi Sankyo announce the results of a clinical Phase III trial of edoxaban in prevention of venous thromboembolism in patients undergone total knee arthroplasty in Japan and Taiwan. Release
1 December 2009 Eisai launches new oral jelly formulation of Aricept® Release
November 2009
26 November 2009 Pfizer Japan and Astellas announce the launch of Caduet combination tablets in Japan. Release24 November 2009 AnGes MG announces Japanese approval for substance patent 4255123 for product, NF-kB Decoy Oligo for the treatment of inflammation, aneurysm and arteriosclerosis. Release
18 November 2009 Takeda initiates Phase II trial of TAK-438 for the treatment of reflux esophagitis. Release
16 November 2009 Sciel Pharma, a Shionogi company, to acquire Addrenex Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a US Speciality pharmaceutical company. Release
7 November 2009 Yokohama-based regenerative medicine company Biomaster Inc. receives investment from Beike Biotech, Shenzhen. Release
2 November 2009 Sosei signs definitive distribution agreement with ASKA for commercialisation of emergency contraceptive pill SOH-075 (NorLevo®). Release
October 2009
30 October 2009 J-TEC and CellSeed Inc. announce joint R&D programme in regenerative medicine. Release
26 October 2009 Astellas Pharma Inc. to terminate development of their anti-human osteoponin antibody for rheumatoid arthritis. Release
23 October 2009 D. Western Therapeutics Institute (DWTI) lists its shares on the JASDAQ's NEO market.
19 October 2009 Eisai launches "Crystal Veil" - an allergen screen topical gel. Release
16 October 2009 Toray Industries, Inc. obtain approval in Japan for combination therapy with interferon beta preparation Feron® and ribavirin against hepatitis C. Release
13 October 2009 NanoCarrier Co, Ltd. and MEDINET announce joint research agreement for development of new cancer therapies. Release
July 2009
28 July 2009 Yakult Honsha and Celsion announce start-up of Japanese clinical trial sites in Celsion's global Phase III TheroDox® trial for primary liver cancer. Release
April 2009
2 April 2009 SymBio Pharmaceuticals Limited Concludes Sublicense Agreement Granting Cephalon, Inc.Development and Commercialization Rights for Bendamustine Hydrochloride in China. Release
March 2009
31 March 2009 MEDINET (Mothers index: 2370) and Osaka National Hospital Start Collaborative Clinical Study for a Novel DC Vaccine Therapy Utilizing Cell Loading System. Release
26 March 2009 Tella Inc which is focusing on Research & Development of Dendritic Cell (DC) Vaccine Therapy floated in Neo market (Nagoya). Release
9 March 2009 Solasia Pharma K.K. announced initiation of a Phase I study of SP-01 (long-acting transdermal granisetron patch; Sancuso®) in Japanese volunteers. Release
February 2009
23 February 2009 Sucampo Group granted U-Tech Ueno, Ltd. (Mothers 4573) exclusive manufacturing and supply right of Amitiza (Lubiprosone) for Japan, Asia and Oceania. Release
January 2009
28 January 2009 aRigen Pharmaceuticals announced exclusive licensing agreement with Taiho Pharmaceuticals of ARH-1029, small molecule having proton pump inhibition and H. pylori eradication. Deal is only for Japan with upfront payment, milestone and bonus together with double digit royalties of the sales. Release
21 January 2009 GNI announced positive results of Phase II study of F647 (pilfenidone) for the treatement of radiation pneumonitis. Release
9 January 2009 SymBio Pharmaceuticals Limited announced that Bendamustine Product Registration Dossiers Submitted in Singapore. Release
November 2008
10 November 2008 CanBas's CBP501 enters Phase II trials for the treatment of maligant pleural mesothelioma. Release
6 November 2008 REGiMMUNE Corporation present following 2 papers at the 50th ASH Annual Meeting (USA): The two presentations will show reduction of GvHD Lethality and Specific Tolerance Induction by a Liposomal Formulation of KRN7000 (RGI-2001)' Release
5 November 2008 Anges published positive results of animal study: Drug-eluting baloon catheter for profilactic treatment of vascular occlusion. Release
October 2008
31 October 2008 NanoCarrier filed IND to start Phase I/II study of Nanoplatin® in Taiwan. Release
28 October 2008 CytoPathfinder Inc (CP) and Takeda Pharmaceutical have signed agreement to transfer CP's transfection technology to Takeda as non-exclusive licensee. Release
28 October 2008 TSD Japan has raised 800 million yen ($ 8 million) in a funding round led by VCs including Daiwa SMBC Capital. Release
27 October 2008 Nipuro Corporation invested in ReproCELL Inc. and Cell Science & Technology Institute, Inc. Release
27 October 2008 Eiken Chemical and the Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics agree to expand their collaboration to develop novel diagnostics into HIV, malaria and sleeping sickness. Release
23 October 2008 Anges MG announced Results of Phase IIa Clinical Trials of STAT-1 Decoy Oligodeoxynucleotide on Psoriasis in Europe. Release
22 October 2008 Sosei agrees Terms with ASKA pharmacetuicals Co., Ltd. for Commercialisation of SOH-075 (NorLevo®). Release
15 October 2008 Sosei announce results of SOH-075 Phase III study. Efficacy is confirmed. Release
07 October 2008 AnGes executed Letter of Intent with Vical Inc. (USA) to evaluate their new type influenza DNA vaccine. Release
07 October 2008 Sosei annouced NVA237 Phase II results presented at the European Respiratory Society Annual Meeting show promising efficacy and tolerability with potentially faster onset than tiotropium. Release
07 October 2008 Takara Bio announced an initiation of clinical trial of HSV-TK gene therapy for the treatment of recurrent leukemia. Release
02 October 2008 Evec Inc. has signed a license agreement with Boehringer Ingelheim for one of our fully-human antibody programmes. Release
01 October 2008 Kringle Pharma Files IND Application to FDA to Conduct Studies on recombinant human HGF for the Treatment of ARF. Release
September 2008
15 September 2008 Y's Therapeutics Completes Phase IIa Trial with YSPSL in Kidney Transplant Patients for Prevention of Ischemic Reperfusion Injury (IRI) Release
10 September 2008 Y's Therapeutics announced Conclusion of Exclusive Licensing Agreement of YSCMA, Humanized Anti-CD26 Monoclonal Antibody, for Development and Sales in Japan. Release
01 September 2008 Takara Bio to collaborate with Sun Yat-Sen University in China to conduct clinical research of cancer immunotherapy targeting hepatocellular carcinoma using RetroNectin® expansion culture system. Release
August 2008
19 August 2008 MediBic group announced PhaseI study results of glufosfamide in Japan confirming safety and pharmacokinetics: Moving to PhaseII.Release
18 August 2008 SymBio Pharmaceuticals and Eisai Sign License Agreement for bendamustine hydrochloride (SyB L-0501). Release
1 August 2008 GNI announces a plan to streamline its operations, shifting R&D to China with closing down Fukuoka research facility. Release
July 2008
16 July 2008 GNI has entered into an agreement with EpiCept to develop EP1013, a di-peptide small molecule compound, in Asia, Australia and New Zealand for liver diseases induced by viral hepatitis. Release
10 July 2008 Sosei announced completion of Phase III trial for NorLevo® emergency contraceptive pill in Japan. Release
3 July 2008 Pfizer Japan Inc. announced its spin-out company, RaQualia Pharma Inc. started business on July 1st. Release
June 2008
11 June 2008 ReqMed, bene pharmaChem GmbH & Co., KG and Asahi Kasei Pharma Corporation announce the exclusive license agreement on Sodium Pentosan Polysulfate. Release
May 2008
28 May 2008 M's Science Corporation completes US $9 Million Series E Financing.