Tokyo-based Healios will lead the global clinical studies for Athersys’ cell therapy MultiStem for ARDS and start US Phase II trials for trauma following their long-term collaboration.

Plus deals involving BioLineRx/GloriaBio, Healios/Athersys, Aurobindo/Hilleman, Lupin/Menarini, GC Biopharma/Immetas, CanariaBio, Specialised Therapeutics, TaiGen/Y.S.P., Nippon/Kayaku/Adlai Nortye, WuXi/PharmaEssentia, Evommune/Maruho and Ono/Adimab.

Dr Toichi Takenaka, the first winner of the Lifetime Achievement Award in the inaugural Pharma Intelligence Awards Japan earlier this year, talks to Scrip about his journey from researcher to CEO and today as a mentor for Japanese bioventures. Starting his career in an “empty lab” in the 1960s motivated him to pursue a string of collaborations with universities in Japan and on to the discovery of four successful drugs.

Rona hopes technology acquired from Sanofi will enhance its RNA capabilities in liver and non-liver indications. NeuroFront gets Greater China and Singapore rights to Novaremed’s neuropathic pain drug.