THR-687’s failure in Phase II marks the second drug to flunk in the disease after a Phase IIa study of THR-317 showed disappointing results in 2019, but THR-149 has shown some encouraging data.

Towa Pharmaceutical has struck a deal to acquire fellow Japanese firm Sunsho Pharmaceutical in a move that Towa says will help it to diversify by developing value-added products.

Towa has issued a minor upward revision to its full-year guidance after its domestic business delivered higher than expected sales and profit growth during H1, but uncertainty in the Japanese generics market and concerns over the firm’s overseas units have led some analysts to raise questions.

Japanese player Towa Pharmaceutical joined Sawai in capitalizing on Nichi-Iko’s misery by taking market share from its rival, as it ran factories at full capacity and plotted for further expansion.