Tanabe Pharma has out-licensed its internally discovered anti-IL-33 antibody to a US company and will receive development and sales milestones of up to approximately ¥88.2 billion. Chugai Pharmaceutical has entered into an agreement to out-license its internally discovered RAF-MEK molecular glue SPYK04 to a Chinese company, granting worldwide development, manufacturing and commercialization rights.
On 28 September, Tanabe Pharma announced that it had out-licensed worldwide development rights and commercialization rights outside Japan for its internally discovered anti-IL-33 antibody MT-2990 to US-based Tolerance Bio. In addition to receiving development and sales milestones of up to approximately $560 million, Tanabe Pharma is expected to receive equity consideration and royalties based on sales, while retaining commercialization rights in Japan. Going forward, development will change from Tanabe Pharma to Tolerance Bio, with progress expected in new indications.
On 29 September, Chugai Pharmaceutical announced that it had entered into a worldwide licensing agreement with China’s InxMed for its internally discovered RAF-MEK molecular glue SPYK04. Chugai granted InxMed exclusive worldwide development, manufacturing and commercialization rights for all indications, and will receive an upfront payment and sales royalties. SPYK04 blocks cancer growth signals by linking RAF and MEK.
Toho Holdings and ReproCELL entered into a basic agreement on 29 September concerning the distribution of the regenerative medicine product StemCymel. The companies will discuss supply and distribution systems for medical institutions and consider expanding distribution of the applicable product.
Marubeni Pharmaceuticals launched Gemtesa (vibegron), a treatment for overactive bladder, in Taiwan on 29 September. Marubeni Pharmaceuticals inherited the rights in Taiwan that Sumitomo Pharma acquired from Kyorin Pharmaceutical in 2023, and approval in Taiwan was obtained in April 2025.