A Japanese approval for Lilly's Alzheimer's drug donanemab is expected soon following a positive recommendation from the MHLW. The ministry has also announced reimbursement prices for 12 new products including Fabhalta, along with price cuts for Tezspire, Dupixent and competitors following a review.

New supplies of Shionogi's antiviral Xofluza will be used to boost Japan's national stocks of flu therapeutics, along with others including Tamiflu and Relenza, to increase preparedness for new viral strains. While resistance concerns for Xofluza appear to be reducing, local experts supported the decision on condition use is limited to those under 12 years of age.

The US firm has faced yet another clinical setback as its Phase II candidate, NYX-458, failed to improve cognitive impairment in patients with Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s, triggering the cessation of its only other program as priorities shift to preserving funds.

Excellence, innovation, deal-making and individual achievement across the Japanese biopharma sector were celebrated at the inaugural Pharma Intelligence Japan Awards 2022 in Tokyo on 1 September.