Japan is aiming for the betterment of pharma R&D and medical services for rare disease patients by building a database connecting genome analysis data and clinical records. While several clinical studies are planned for the next couple of years, there are also concerns around the actual trickle-down of benefits to patients and data privacy.

Polyhexanide, from SIFI, could become the first approved treatment for acanthamoeba keratitis, while aflibercept could become the first biosimilar version of Eylea in the EU.

Taiho will pay Cullinan Oncology up to $405m for their joint venture and lead candidate for a form of lung cancer. Plus deals involving Zhaoke/Visus, AnGes/Eiger, Juniper/Helsinn, Peak Bio and more.

The latest batch of new drug approvals in Japan includes several products receiving their first marketing clearances globally, notably a new oral competitor to a blockbuster ulcerative colitis drug and a high-need therapy for the rare disease ASMD.