Japanese Biosimilars Landscape Study, 2009-2020 - 25 Biosimilars of 12 Originator Products are Approved in Japan and Have Yielded Mixed Performances

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Jan 14, 2020, 18:00 ET

DUBLIN, Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Japanese Biosimilars Landscape Study, 2009-2020" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

In this report, we attempt to analyze trend/requirement of regulatory approval of biosimilars based on Ex-Japan clinical trialdata, factors responsible for each key launched biosimilar penetration (Made in Japan vs. Tested by Japan), and the future competitive landscape in the biosimilars space in Japan.

We also attempt to analyze detail BS market of EPO, Filgrastim/Pegfilgrastim/Insulin/Lantus apart from other key complex Mab Biosimilar opportunities and list out niche opportunities in biosimilar space in Japan. Details of all major consolidation activities done by JP/Foreign companies in biosimilar space in the last five years and crisp summary on strategies of each key player (~21 JP local companies, multinational companies), their interest & focus for future collaboration in biosimilar space.

Since 2009, 25 biosimilars of 12 originator products are approved in Japan and have yielded mixed performances and attained annual sales of ~32.4b ($300m).

Unique biosimilars landscape with the entry of NESP biosame by originator Kyowa Hakko Kirin through its subsidiary, co-promotion/marketing collaboration with local companies for the front-end skill sets (Ayumi, Kyowa Hakko Kirin, Teijin) and few skipped listing to better manage constant supply (Pfizer), a key requirement by MHLW, makes Japan a distinct market vs. US and EU.

Less stringent regulatory environment vs. US for approval, increasing healthcare burden and strong foothold of the marketers have played key roles in this early uptake which is at par to one of the best generic small molecule penetration in Japan in a short time (Filgrastim BS-volume share~45% in two years, Lantus BS- ~9% in 2 months vs. Lipitor generics ~50% volume share).

While analyzing the launched biosimilar penetration since 2009 in Japan, bolstering uptake of Enbrel, Rituxan, and Lantus biosimilar vs. very slow uptake of Remicade BS mainly been attributed with the use of biosimilars in DPC hospitals,product reimbursement under high cost medical care benefit system and front end presence of the local partner.

Despite the string of recent biosimilars approvals, healthcare professionals still harbor concerns over the quality of biosimilars.

MHLW's announcement to update a decade back biosimilars guideline by FY2020 to reduce cost of development as well as to increase confidence of physician on quality, is indicative of biosimilar as important weapon for Chuikyo(Central social Insurance Medical Council) to curb healthcare cost. Further, Biosame pricing game will play a major role in the future for biosimilar penetration. We see that Abenomics measures and government involvement in biosimilars use would lead to the Biosimilars promotions in the coming times in Japan.

Mixed strategies by originator for Bio-same launch (Kyowa Hakko Kirin to launch Biosame vs. Chugai said not to launch Biosame), therapy area wise biosimilars cherry picking by mid-size Japanese companies, and different strategies by local generic companies (NichiIko heading for global market vs. Sawai testing through co-promotion and Towa yet not decided to enter), demonstrates each company's different need and approach to cater biosimilar opportunities in Japan.

Since the last five years, most of the companies have some alliance in place for biosimilars, with most of the Japanese companies undertaking pacts with South Korean companies to ride on their back of biosimilar mAb expertise.

There is a trend of doing product specific alliance by most of the JP companies active in BS space and to go step by step on this high risk/high return opportunities. Against this backdrop, multinational companies like Pfizer are setting their sights on this market without local partnership taking advantage of pro-biosimilar environment to capture decent biosimilar market share. Overall, in the Japan market, each opportunity has a different competitive landscape for itself, and some companies are looking for niche opportunities in biosimilar space as per their specialty therapy area- like ophthalmology BS (Lucentis), Enzyme therapy BS (JCR).

While launched biosimilars now generates ~32b ($300m) sales and its penetration is accelerating, MHLW's approval of Biosame of NESP based on same clinical data as the originator NESP, and current ongoing dialogs to price Biosame higher than biosimilars, indicative of Biosame to be the key hurdle in the future for mid-size biosimilar companies in Japan. In the year 2020, MHLW's stand on Biosame, will be important to decide future of theses mid-size /generic biosimilar developers. Around ~550b opportunity is opening for biosimilar in the next 7 years in Japan due to patent expiry of Wave 2-3 biologics.

Key Topics Covered

CHAPTER 1: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

CHAPTER 2: JAPANESE GOVERNMENT AND CHUIKYO INITIATIVES TO INCREASE BIOSIMILAR PENETRATION IN JAPAN

JBSA - How it will play important role for biosimilar penetration in Japan and overcome BS penetration related issues?

CHAPTER 3: LESSONS FROM LAUNCHED BIOGENERIC PROGRESS IN JAPAN SINCE 2009

Encouraging uptake for Filgrastim, Insulin glargine, Rituximab and Eternacept BS, while sluggish start for Infliximab demonstrates variable market for each BS - Highly depends on the reimbursement status and front-end presence

CHAPTER 4: GROWTH HORMONE MARKET (SOMATROPIN) IN JAPAN

Despite being the first biosimilar to hit the Japan market, low uptake reported due to the brand loyalty by pediatrician; Long acting growth hormone entry is the upcoming threat

CHAPTER 5: ANEMIA MARKET IN JAPAN

EPO- After an initial struggle, biosimilar of EPO is steadily growing
NESP Biosame vs. NESP BS uptake - key to watch in 2020

CHAPTER 6: FILGRASTIM (GRAN) BS

G-LASTA uptake squeeze the market for GRAN BSs - Entry of G-lasta biosimilars expected to change the game

CHAPTER 7: REMICADE (INFLIXIMAB) BS

High cost healthcare system and impact of competing products like Simponi in the RA market, key hurdles for the slower biosimilar uptake

CHAPTER 8: LANTUS (INSULIN GLARGINE) BIOSIMILAR

One of the most successful BS launch in Japan - now facing challenges from next generation Lantus (Lantus-XR)

CHAPTER 9: ENBREL (ETANERCEPT) BIOSIMILAR

First Etanercept BS had encouraging early uptake as provides co-pay difference due to low cost vs. other approved Mabs, available in both formulations and strong front end of the commercial partner

CHAPTER 10: ONCOLOGY BIOSMILARS ERA STARTS WITH RITUXAN (RITUXIMAB) BIOSIMILAR

Rituxan biosimilar take off strongly captured major shares from the originator; Gazyva (obinutuzumab) to replace Rituxan is the major threat

CHAPTER 11: HERCEPTIN (TRASTUZUMAB) BIOSIMILAR

Now with approval of all dosing schedules and indications as the originator, three BS players ready to take the market share- Approval of fixed-dose combination of Roche's Herceptin/Perjeta and new competitors can change the game

CHAPTER 12: AVASTIN (BEVACIZUMAB) BIOSIMILAR

Japan's best selling drug with sizable market to attract more biosimilar players in the coming future without Biosame threat

CHAPTER 13: FABRAZYME (AGALSIDASE BETA) BIOSIMILAR

Niche opportunity captured by Japanese biosimilar rising star, difficulties ahead with the entry of Japan's first oral treatment for Fabry disease (Galafold)

CHAPTER 14: FORTEO (TERIPARATIDE) BIOSIMILAR

Entry of Evenity -create a headwind despite lower copay & strong front end by Mochida

CHAPTER 15: NEXT WAVEOF BIOSIMILAR OPPORTUNITIES IN JAPAN

Actemra BS a more attractive opportunity in Japan vs. Humira
Avastin biosimilar uptake and Opthalmology BS development are key to watch

CHAPTER 16: BIOSIMILAR/BIOPHARMA CMO OPPORTUNITY

Would Japanese conglomerates cater the global market?

CHAPTER 17: REGULATORY APPROVAL REQUIREMENT FOR COMPLEX MAB BIOSIMILAR IN JAPAN

Key take away of JP biosimilar guideline when compared to EU/US requirement
JP requirements for the approval of biosimilars

CHAPTER 18: LICENSING/CONSOLIDATION ACTIVITIES IN BIOSIMILAR SPACE IN JAPAN

CHAPTER 19: JAPANESE COMPANIES ACTIVE INTO BIOGENERICS SPACE

Aska Pharmaceuticals - No major progress on the biobetter
Asahi Glass - Entering in Biopharma CDMO Business for Global Market
Chugai Pharmaceuticals - Entry to Authorised Biosimilar unlikely - Fighting for originator rights
Daiichi Sankyo - Potential to be a front runner in the biosimilar space with Amgen Partnership
Fuji Film Kyowa Kirin Biologics (FF-KKB) - Looking beyond domestic opportunities to capture global biosimilar business
Fuji Pharma - Alvotech partnership to bolster biosimilar business as its new core in the home ground
Gene Techno Science - JP Biopharma rising star - A reliable partner for Developing Biosimilar in Japan by Japanese Front End Companies
Itochu Chemical Frontier Corporation - A trading house with new role in biosimilar value chain
JCR Pharmaceuticals -A pioneer for biosimilars -now thrive in regenerative medicine & fast tracking NESP biosimilar
Kissei - Timely launch of NESP biosimilar - Next to watch! Focus to be a niche player in BS space
Kyowa Hakko Kirin - Tapping biosimilar market through Biosame launch -Taking advantage of front end leadership for Anemia and Heamatology therapy area
Meiji Seika Pharma (MSP) -Trastuzumab biosimilar launch awaited in Japan- Tough competition with already approved other players!
Mochida - Enbrel BS - first to file for Japan, now equipped with full basket for being one of the top biosimilar player in Japan
Mitsubishi Tanabe - Not in biosimilars area yet
MGC Pharma (now as Cultivec) - A Bio-pharmaceutical CMO - leveraging the findings gained through developing the mass-culture technology to develop biosimlars!
Nichi-Iko - Aspiring to capture overseas markets, committed to the biosimilar business in the US
Nipro Pharma - Not much development after Somatropin BS
Nippon Kayaku - Pioneering New Age' of biosimilars: After Remicade - now launch of Herceptin BS is key
Sawai - Intends to establish sales team in biosimilar field in next few years
Towa - Still waiting for Government right policy pitch for biosimilar
Toyobo Biologics - Eying at biosimilars CMO Business
Takeda Teva Pharmaceuticals - Noclarity on biosimilar launch plan in Japan
UMN Pharma - Transforming vaccines heritage into new generation biologics- but no major progress in last couple of years in biosimilar area
Yoshindo - A steady progress for Enbrel biosimilar- Three step approach to build a Bio Company
Sanwa Kagaku - NESP biosimilar - a therapy focus biosimilar entry for Japan market
Amgen - Timely launch is key through Daiichi Sankyo Partnership in Japan
Chong Kun Dang - With Fuji Pharma entering in NESP BS market

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/vc4afj

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