Eli Lilly has investments in China, Japan, and South Korea. Pfizer has become obese thanks to Chinese consent from local partner Cywind Biosciences. Astellas Pharma’s CEO said the higher-than-expected reimbursement price in Japan was thanks to the U.S. most-favored-nation policy. moreover.
1. Lilly boosts oral GLP-1 production capacity with $3 billion manufacturing commitment in China
Eli Lilly is investing $3 billion in China over the next 10 years to strengthen manufacturing capacity for its pipeline, including the GLP-1 tablet Orforglipron, which is under review in more than 40 countries, including China and the United States. The first part of the investment, approximately $200 million, will be donated to local CDMO Pharmaron to support technical capacity and scale-up.
2. After spending on China, Lilly puts $126 million into expansion of manufacturing facility in Japan
In addition to investing in China, Lilly also announced a 20 billion yen ($126 million) expansion of its factory in Japan. The company plans to install a new production line and expand its warehouse at its only production facility in Japan. According to Nikkei Asia, the project will boost production of drugs to treat diabetes and obesity.
3. Lilly follows Roche in pledging $500 million to South Korea’s biopharmaceutical industry
At the same time, Lilly will commit $500 million over five years to support the growth of South Korea’s biopharmaceutical industry. As part of a memorandum of understanding with the South Korean government, the funding is aimed at attracting clinical trials to the country and supporting the opening of incubators as part of the Lilly Gateway Labs network.
4. Pfizer enters China’s obesity market with GLP-1 approval in collaboration with Sciwind
Just days after Pfizer signed on to sell its GLP-1 drug in China, local authorities approved Cywind Biosciences’ injectable drug ecnoglutide to treat obesity. In the 48-week study, patients receiving the highest dose of ecnoglutide achieved an average weight loss of 15.4% from baseline. This drug is also indicated for type 2 diabetes.
5. President Trump’s promotion of MFN drug pricing has led to Astellas contributing to the rise in the price of Izervay’s drug in Japan (Bloomberg)
Astellas Pharma has won reimbursement for its eye drug Izervay at a more generous level than expected in Japan after telling local authorities that domestic drug costs could affect U.S. pricing under President Donald Trump’s most-favored-nation policy, CEO Naoki Okamura said. He said it was unclear whether Japanese officials had explicitly considered the discussions behind closed doors, but the results signaled a change in the government’s position.
6. Merck KGaA sells pipeline assets from SpringWorks acquisition and Henrui license agreement
Merck KGaA has discontinued the PARP1 inhibitor it licensed from Hengrui Pharma for an upfront payment of $169 million in 2023. At the time, potential milestones included in the deal totaled up to $1.5 billion. Phase 1b trials of the drug in solid tumors and colorectal cancer have been completed.
Other notable news:
7. Taiwan allocates $755 million to multi-year drug supply recovery program
8. Tenacia signs $308 million bioback agreement with Rapport to develop epilepsy treatment in Greater China
9. Ascletis eyes will receive GLP-1 quarterly according to Phase 2 bariatric results
10. Eisai chooses ‘Pokémon Sleep’ app to fight bad sleep habits in awareness campaign
11. Patent dispute between Daiichi Sankyo and Seagen ADC ends (release)
12. FDA praises Glenmark for first ‘true’ generic version of GSK’s asthma inhaler Flovent
13. Enherz of Dyche, Arizona, under FDA priority review for adjuvant breast cancer (Regulatory Tracker)
14. Nordic state of Bavaria and Serum Institute expand production partnership for chikungunya vaccine (release)
15. Charles River signs MOUs with three APAC partners to support biologics (biospectrum)
