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Japan Pushing Forward In Global Scrum For Cancer Leads

 
• By Ian Haydock

Japan is forging ahead with a national project to elucidate cancer-related gene alterations in its population, both to identify responder patients for possible inclusion in clinical trials for targeted therapies and to inform the development of new treatments.

With the Rugby World Cup getting underway in the UK, it seems appropriate to be talking about scrums, particularly after the Japanese team’s historic last-minute upset of past winners South Africa. Japanese scientists are hoping they can be as successful in another battle, this time not involving the "Brave Blossoms" but rather a team of industry and academic researchers tackling cancer.

The collaborative SCRUM-Japan cancer genome screening initiative, led by Japan's National Cancer Center (NCC), began in 2013 as part of...

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More from Japan

Citeline Japan Awards 2025 - Enter Now!

 
• By Ian Haydock and Lisa Takagi

The 14 July deadline for the Citeline Japan Awards 2025 in Tokyo is approaching fast, so here's a reminder to take a look at the categories and criteria and be sure to get those submissions in by this date. Sponsorship opportunities and tables for the event are also available.

Crisis Or Opportunity? US MFN Policy Could Test Japan’s Appetite For Reforms

 
• By Lisa Takagi

While the adoption of most favored nation drug pricing in the US stands to affect Japanese biopharma firms now heavily reliant on this market, it might also present an opportunity for pricing and policy reforms at home.

In Brief: Nicox Extends Cash Runway As Kowa Advances NCX 470 In Japan

 
• By Sushmita Panda

Eye drug is already in Phase III trials elsewhere, with results due in Q3. Nicox could earn up to a further €24.5m in milestones and royalties from Kowa alliance.

Japan Pharma Sees US Revenues Grow But Policy Impact Still Unclear

 
• By Lisa Takagi

Japanese majors put in generally solid performances in the fiscal year ended 31 March, but overseas revenues and forex effects, rather than the domestic market, provided most of the growth.

More from Focus On Asia

Henlius CEO Details PD-L1 ADC’s Path To 1L Mono/Combo Therapy

 
• By Dexter Jie Yan

Henlius is investigating the optimum dose for its PD-L1-targeting antibody-drug conjugate HLX43 to support potential first-line use, its CEO explains to Scrip.

Big Top-Level Shifts At Sun: Ganorkar Is MD, Ex-Takeda Exec To Helm US Business

 
• By Anju Ghangurde

Sun’s founder hands top job to company longtimer Kirti Ganorkar as the firm implements a “structured and forward-looking” succession plan, while Richard Ascroft will lead the Indian drugmaker’s North America business.

AstraZeneca Taps Into China’s R&D Engine With CSPC Alliance

 
• By Andrew McConaghie

After in-licensing a cardiovascular candidate last year, AstraZeneca has signed a strategic drug discovery alliance, which could generate billions of dollars in payments to the Chinese firm.