Big Japanese Pharmas Plan R&D Push As Patents Expire
This article was originally published in PharmAsia News
Executive Summary
Japan's largest pharmaceuticals are investing heavily in research and development, chasing their next new drug in advance of expiring patent protection on some of their best-sellers that begins next year. Astellas plans a 6 percent increase despite a decreasing profit this year, Daiichi Sankyo and Eisai see R&D increases of 5 percent, each, and Takeda Pharmaceutical, the largest of the four, plans a 6 percent increase in its R&D budget. All but Eisai have major drugs in Phase III testing, while Eisai looks for something in the field of cancer, thanks to its acquisition of MGI Pharma of the United States. (Click here for more - a subscription may be required