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Astellas Experiments With Partnering Models For a Phase IIa Ulcerative Colitis Compound

 
• By Daniel Poppy

Astellas out-licensed a melanocortin receptor agonist to a virtual company backed by Astellas' corporate venture arm.

TOKYO – Astellas Pharma Inc. has created what it calls a "uniquely structured partnership" in out-licensing a compound to Drais Pharmaceuticals Inc.,which in turn established a virtual company, Telsar Pharma, Inc., solely to develop the compound. Astellas hasn't washed its hands of the compound though; its corporate venture arm invested in the virtual company and retains a number of negotiation rights if the compound reaches proof-of-concept.

Astellas out-licensed ulcerative colitis therapy ASP3291, a melanocortin receptor agonist in the planning stages of a Phase IIa study, to...

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More from Japan

Japan Price Cuts For Epkinly and Lunsumio Following CEA

 
• By Lisa Takagi

Japan is cutting more drug reimbursement prices following cost effectiveness analysis and is applying the methodology to a new group of products including Wegovy and Leqembi.

Japan Reimburses 11 New Drugs But Slashes Price Of Others By Up To 20%

 
• By Lisa Takagi

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• By Lisa Takagi

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Japan Identifies Drugs ‘In Urgent Need’ Of Development

 
• By Lisa Takagi

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More from Asia

BIOSECURE Act Returning, Privacy, Gain-of-Function Bills Coming, Senate Sponsor Says

 
• By Laura Helbling

Legislation prohibiting work with certain Chinese biopharma firms will be reintroduced soon, Democratic Sen. Gary Peters said. And it will not be the only bill tied to international biotech competition and security concerns that will be considered.

Japan Reimburses 11 New Drugs But Slashes Price Of Others By Up To 20%

 
• By Lisa Takagi

Japan's NHI program continues to give and take as 11 new drugs are granted reimbursement, while the prices of others - including three ophthalmic therapies - are cut by up to 20% under a Market Expansion Repricing scheme.

Korean Pharma Industry Proposes Policies As Election Nears

 
• By Jung Won Shin

As South Korea gears up for a snap presidential election, its biopharma industry proposes key desired policies to candidates, most of whom have not laid out detailed plans of their own for the sector.