BUSINESS

Itochu Launches J-STEP to Help Overseas Drug Makers Tackle Japan’s “Drug Loss”

By Sakura Kono August 21, 2025

- Only subscribers can save articles.
  
  Sign In
  
  Subscribe

Trading house Itochu and its subsidiaries A2 Healthcare and ITC Venture Partners (IVP) have launched a support service called J-STEP, aimed at helping overseas drug makers bring their products to the Japanese market and addressing the country’s “drug loss” issue.…

To read the full story

Itochu Snaps Up CoreMed to Bolster Japan Entry Support
March 3, 2026
Japan’s Trading Houses Gain Ground in Pharma, Rewriting the Industry Playbook
November 10, 2025

BUSINESS

Positive Price Revisions Seen at Several Firms in FY2026 Reform: Poll
March 6, 2026
Japan Grants First-Ever Approval to iPSC-Based Therapies
March 6, 2026
Meiji Starts Japan PIII Trial of Rezurock for CLAD
March 6, 2026
Meiji Rolls Out Rezurock in Taiwan
March 6, 2026
Toray Out-Licenses Parkinson’s Drug to Immunis
March 6, 2026

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

G1 Rule to Hit Originator Biologics for First Time, Impact Seen for Up to 13 Brands

By Shinya Sato

Japan’s FY2026 drug pricing reform will, for the first time, apply the “G1” price cut rule for long-listed original biologics…

COLUMN

The Strategic MSL: Beyond Data Delivery, It’s About Impact

By Philip Carrigan

I recently sat down with one of the leading medical directors in Japan to discuss the critical evolution of the medical science liaison (MSL) role.The MSL has transformed from a scientific resource into a strategic partner essential for successful product…