In an exclusive interview with Scrip, Chugai's CEO says the now 20-year-old strategic partnership with Roche has been one of the keys to Chugai’s successful growth and has allowed smooth market expansion for both firms, as well as enabling R&D investment by the Japanese firm. A flexible, platform-based approach to R&D, rather than focusing on specific target diseases or technologies, has also benefitted Chugai, Osamu Okuda noted.

Novo Nordisk has filed for the approval of its hemophilia A/B contender concizumab in Japan, which could become the first market globally for the TFPI inhibitor. The company sees dosing convenience as a potential strong advantage in the market, where there are relatively few options for hemophilia B available.

Phase III data for the drug showed strong efficacy among hemophilia A and B patients with inhibitors. The drug’s approval would help drive continued segmentation of the hemophilia market.