BUSINESS
    Pfizer Hails Adult Rollout of Prevenar 20 as “Milestone” for Public Health
    By Hayate Horiguchi April 1, 2026
    Quick Look:Pfizer’s Prevenar 20 will be included in Japan’s routine vaccination program for 65-year-olds from April, expanding its NIP use beyond children and replacing the long-used PPSV23.The company is stepping up awareness efforts to address…

    LATEST

    Japan’s FY2026 R&D Tax Credit Reform Wins Broad Industry Backing
    April 1, 2026
    Japan will overhaul its R&D tax credit regime in its FY2026 reform, introducing a new strategic category alongside existing frameworks. The changes mark a shift toward more targeted support for priority sectors, with the pharmaceutical…
    Japan Officially Eases Trial Recruitment Rules; Industry Welcomes Move
    April 1, 2026
    Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW) has issued a notification formalizing its position that information provided to recruit participants for clinical trials will not be considered “advertising” under the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices…
    Astellas’ Protein Degrader Setidegrasib Enters PIII in US
    April 1, 2026
    Astellas Pharma has begun patient enrollment for a US PIII trial of its targeted protein degrader setidegrasib as a first-line treatment for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), the company revealed at its R&D Day briefing on…

    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…

    COLUMN

    Strategic Talent Acquisition in the Japanese Life Sciences Sector: Your Market Intelligence Briefing
    By Philip Carrigan

    Focus: How to Get the Talent You Need in a Tough MarketThe Japanese life sciences sector presents a challenging landscape for global companies. To succeed, you must move beyond reactive hiring and adopt a truly strategic talent acquisition model. Our…

    COMMENTARY

    A “Core Industry” in Name Only? Drug Pricing Reform Leaves a Sour Taste
    By Ken Yoshino

    Japan’s FY2026 drug price revision, officially announced on March 5, has landed poorly with the pharmaceutical industry — and the…

    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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