BUSINESS
    Novo Targets Double-Digit Growth in Japan in 2026, Obesity Access Key
    By Hayate Horiguchi February 12, 2026
    Novo Nordisk’s newly appointed Japan president Keisuke Kotani has set a goal of lifting domestic sales to double-digit growth in 2026, positioning its obesity drug Wegovy (semaglutide) as the main engine.In an interview with Jiho,…

    LATEST

    Takeda’s Narcolepsy Drug Accepted for US FDA Review
    February 12, 2026
    Takeda Pharmaceutical said on February 10 that the US FDA has accepted its new drug application for oveporexton, an oral orexin receptor 2 (OX2R) agonist, for the treatment of narcolepsy type 1.The drug, also known…
    FDA Rejects Regenxbio/Nippon Shinyaku’s MPS II Gene Therapy
    February 12, 2026
    The US FDA has turned down an application for RGX-121, Regenxbio’s gene therapy for mucopolysaccharidosis type II (MPS II; Hunter syndrome) partnered with Nippon Shinyaku — following a clinical hold issued late last month.Regenxbio said…
    Celltrion to Launch Japan’s First Actemra Biosimilar in Late April
    February 12, 2026
    Celltrion Healthcare Japan said on February 10 that it will launch Japan’s first biosimilar of Actemra (tocilizumab), an anti-IL-6 receptor antibody marketed by Chugai Pharmaceutical, in late April.The follow-on product won approval in September last…

    Chuikyo Debate on FY2026 Drug Pricing Reform

    Chuikyo OKs New CEA Handling, with Third-Party Verification Ahead

    Japan’s cost-effectiveness assessment (CEA) panel has approved a revised handling policy for the CEA system for FY2026, with the health…

    COMMENTARY

    Is Calling for an Abolition the Right Play? Rethinking Japan’s FY2027 Off-Year Drug Price Revision
    By Ken Yoshino

    Japan’s health and finance ministers agreed late last year to go ahead with an “off-year” drug price revision in FY2027,…

    COLUMN

    AI in Healthcare Hiring: Leveling the Playing Field & Unlocking Human Potential
    By Philip Carrigan

    The Japanese healthcare sector is experiencing rapid growth, demanding a highly skilled and diverse workforce. However, finding and attracting the best talent in this competitive market presents significant challenges.Enter AI. With the rise of AI-powered tools, healthcare organizations can revolutionize…

    Drug Approval & Reimbursement in 2025

    Chuikyo OKs Listing of Novartis’ Pluvicto, Peak Sales Outlook at 42.1 Billion Yen

    Japan’s Central Social Insurance Medical Council (Chuikyo) on November 5 approved the reimbursement listing for a slate of new medicines,…

    Chuikyo Debate on Off-Year Drug Price Revisions

    MHLW Unveils New List Prices for FY2025 Revision; Stelara, Januvia Hit by PMP Return
    By Ken Yoshino

    The Japanese government on March 7 announced new NHI prices to be applied in the FY2025 drug price revision, revealing…

    Discussions on Next PMD Act Amendment

    Japan Cabinet Approves Bill to Amend PMD Act

    The Japanese government approved a bill to amend the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices (PMD) Act at its Cabinet meeting on…

    Drug Approval & Reimbursement in 2024

    Japan Approves Zepbound, Qalsody, and Lots More Drugs

    Japan’s health ministry doled out regulatory approvals for a throng of new medicines on December 27 including Eli Lilly’s obesity…

    Chuikyo on FY2024 Reimbursement Reform

    Chuikyo OKs Outline of FY2024 Drug Pricing Reform; No Unprofitability Re-Pricing for 7%-Plus Price Gap

    Japan’s all-important reimbursement policy panel on December 20 approved an outline of drug pricing reforms for FY2024, which enshrines a…

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