Dublin, Aug. 28, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Japan Biosimilars - The Start of Authorized Biosimilar Era?" report has been added to Research and Markets' offering.

In 2016, encouraging uptake of Lantus BS in Japan confirms a strong foothold in the market, product mix targeted at DPC hospitals (Diagnostic Procedure Combination hospitals- ~4000) and early entry of the player are critical factors to decide biosimilar penetration and market share dynamics of the Japan Biosimilar Market. While ongoing discussion of local originators to launch authorized generic BS in a way indicate cost pressure & threat on the originators by payers(Chuikyo), but put pause on attractiveness of developing BS for a mid size & generic pharma players. Small molecule authorized generics launch in Japan (Blopress- Aska, Plavix-Nichi Iko.) in last few years took major market share amongst generic players (>50%).

On the contrary, Biologics contribute significant part of the current healthcare spend (17% of total healthcare spend) by government in Japan. As the growth rate of drug cost are higher than the growth rate of the overall health care costs in Japan, and biologics are one of the major contributor to that- to reduce healthcare burden, a biosimilar weapon is a must need in Japan. As per the recent survey of RA market in Japan amongst patient and Prescribers, ~40% of the patients/prescribers not used biologics to treat RA as it is expensive. To address these challenges and to make biosimilar development/use friendly environment, initiative to form JBSA (Japan biosimilar Association) has been in place in 2016. Separately, Government recent Honebuto Policy aims to double Biosimilar API by 2020 from Current (5 to 10), again confirms JP Government stands to aggressively push biosimilars use in Japan.

JBSA has done on the ground survey to handle Biosimilar penetration challenges and we expect this to result in government definite direction for efficient biosimilar development in Japan around 2018 with institutional reforms. This may include remunerating prescribers/pharmacy/hospitals to use biosimilar, removing high cost medical care benefit system for increasing biosimilar penetration in Japan. High cost medical care benefit programme and various Government public Insurance programmes minimize the benefits of co-pay difference associated with biosimilar use. We expect evident change in these programmes in next NHI price revision to push prescribers/DPC hospitals to increase use for biosimilar in Japan.

Globally, a definite positive directions from USFDA to approve Biosimilars in US, recent success of Immuno Oncology Mabs on Innovation front and a steep uptake of these drugs in the Japan market, increased confidence of Japanese giants for more biopharma success in the coming time vs. small molecule to get breakthrough to grow. These has allowed Japanese conglomerates to venture in global biologics CMO space in recent times (Asahi-Kasei - CMC biologics) and more M & A is expected in this direction to fulfill the gap of Biopharma-MAb technology platforms amongst Japanese Players.

Based on the FY2016 sales reported by major biopharma drugs in Japan- Biosimilars are an opportunity of cumulative market size of 630b (Table 3) in next few years for Japan biosimilar players.

In this report, we attempt to evaluate key upcoming opportunity for Japan BS market, its competitive landscape, and current trend of biosimilars use in Japan. It also details Japanese Chuikyo (Central and Social Regulatory Council) stand for Biosimilar penetration and regulatory approval requirement for non- JP specific dosage strength or/has clinical data from Ex-Japan clinical trial. The report provide all the Japanese/Global players' activities in biosimilar space for Japan market along with their pipeline deal history, current Mab tech platforms, alliances and deal structure. It details crisp summary on strategies of each key player (~36 JP local companies, multinational companies), their interest & focus for future collaboration in biosimilar space.

Key Topics Covered:

Chapter 1: Executive Summary

Chapter 2: Japanese Government And Chuikyo Initiatives To Increase Biosimilar Penetration In Japan- In Line With Recent Honebuto

Chapter 3: Growth Hormone & Erythropoietin- Lessons From Launched Biogeneric Progress In Japan Since 2009

Chapter 4: Filgrastim (Gran) Bs: Now Focus Shift To Pegfilgrastim Bs Development- Possibility Of KhkS Ag Of G-Lasta- A Blow For Other Players?

Chapter 5: Remicade BS - Nichi Iko Remicade BS Launch By Ye2017- Will Help In To Remicade Bs Overall Penetration Including Remicade Bs Nippon Kayaku

Chapter 6: Lantus Biosimilar- One Of The Most Successful Bs Launch In Japan- Competition Intensify After Fujifilm Biocon Lantus Bs Launch In 2016

Chapters 7: Next Wave Of Biosimilar Opportunities In Japan

Chapter 8 Biosimilar/Biopharma CMO Opportunity

Chapter 9 Regulatory Approval Requirement For Complex Mab Biosimilar In Japan

Chapter 10: Licensing/Consolidation Activities In Biosimilar Space In Japan

Companies Mentioned

• Amgen
• Asahi Glass
• Aska Pharmaceuticals
• Chugai Pharmaceuticals
• Daiichi Sankyo
• Fuji Film Kyowa Kiri
• Fuji Pharma
• Gene Techno Science
• Itochu Chemical Fron
• JCR Pharmaceuticals
• Kissei
• Kyowa Hakko Kirin
• MGC Pharma
• Meiji Seika Pharma
• Mitsubishi Tanabe
• Mochida
• Nichi-Iko
• Nippon Kayaku
• Nipro Pharma
• Sanwa Kagaku
• Sawai
• Takeda Teva Pharmacy
• Towa
• Toyobo Biologics
• UMN Pharma
• Yoshindo

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/9l7np7/japan_biosimilars

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         Related Topics: Biosimilars and Biosuperiors