Kyowa Hakko Kirin and Otsuka announce new alliance

Kyowa Hakko Kirin is to pursue a new strategic alliance with Otsuka Pharmaceutical, focusing on the fields of diabetes and oncology.

The agreement will see the firms conduct joint research into new cancer therapies, while Kyowa Hakko Kirin will also purchase exclusive Japanese development and marketing rights to Otsuka's diabetic agent saxagliptin.

Originally developed by Bristol-Myers Squibb, saxagliptin was licensed to Otsuka in 2006 and is currently undergoing regulatory review in Japan.

The new alliance will leverage the expertise of both organisations and will help new treatments to be developed more rapidly, ensuring they are delivered to patients as early as possible.

Nobuo Hanai, president and chief executive officer of Kyowa Hakko Kirin, said: "We have three strategic therapeutic areas: oncology, nephrology and immunology/allergy. I am pleased that this strategic alliance with Otsuka will enable us to solidify our presence in two of these."

Earlier this year, Kyowa Hakko Kirin and Fujifilm launched a biosimilar joint venture called Fujifilm Kyowa Kirin Biologics, with its first new drug set to begin clinical testing in 2013.