JPMA on Japan’s Biotech Industry: Cancer, Cardiovascular, and Aging Lead Diseases; Antibody, Cell, and Gene Therapies Top the Innovation List

In the second keynote speech at BioJapan 2024, Japan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (JPMA) President Hiroaki Ueno analyzed the current pharmaceutical industry landscape. He also outlined practical approaches to strengthening Japan’s local drug discovery ecosystem.

Global Collaboration—Tech Transfers & Clinical Trials—Drivers in Japanese Drug Discovery Ecosystem: Antibodies and Gene Therapy Top the List

As the global pharmaceutical industry evolves rapidly, Japan’s drug discovery ecosystem has undergone significant changes. Ueno emphasized that several key factors drive this transformation, including the diversification of drug demand, the globalization of pharmaceutical products, and the broad application of digital transformation. These changes present opportunities but also challenges, especially in addressing global competition, improving drug development efficiency, and meeting personalized medical needs.

With Japan’s changing population structure, disease patterns have shifted significantly. For instance, tuberculosis and pneumonia were leading causes of death in the past, but now cancer and cardiovascular diseases are the primary threats in Japan’s aging society. This shift indicates that while small-molecule drugs remain important, emerging treatments like antibody drugs, gene therapy, and cell therapy are gradually dominating the market.

To adapt, Japan’s drug discovery companies must increasingly rely on global collaboration, particularly in technology transfer and clinical trials. Meanwhile, the rapid development of digital technologies, especially artificial intelligence (AI) and big data, is reshaping drug discovery, significantly enhancing research efficiency. This transformation affects not only drug discovery but the entire value chain, from development to manufacturing and sales, all experiencing digitalization.

AI and Digital Transformation Accelerate Drug Discovery Revolution: Japan’s Pharmaceutical Industry Remains Competitive

Digital transformation is redefining Japan’s pharmaceutical industry. Ueno highlighted that applying digital technologies is crucial for improving drug development efficiency. Traditional drug discovery processes often take more than a decade, from basic research to clinical trials and eventual market release, making them time-consuming and costly. With the widespread use of AI and big data, this process has become much simpler. AI can quickly analyze vast amounts of medical data, helping researchers identify potential drug targets, thus speeding up drug discovery.

Ueno also noted that the rise of digital health offers new opportunities for drug discovery. Digital health technologies not only optimize drug development but also contribute to disease prevention and monitoring. For example, health data collected through wearable devices enables researchers to predict patient health conditions more accurately and adjust treatment plans accordingly. Such digital innovations can significantly improve treatment outcomes and help reduce healthcare costs.

As digital technologies mature, Japan’s pharmaceutical companies are accelerating their digital transformation to meet new drug discovery demands. This transformation extends beyond technological changes, involving shifts in corporate culture as well. Research and development teams must embrace digital tools and actively explore new applications to remain competitive globally.

Combining Local Resources and Global Collaboration: Greater Tokyo & Kansai Biocommunities Primary Areas in Focus 

Japan’s drug discovery ecosystem is rich in resources and strong in research, particularly in regions like the Greater Tokyo Biocommunity (GTB) and the Kansai Biocommunity. These clusters gather experts from academia, pharmaceutical companies, and medical institutions, driving further development through collaborative research and technology sharing.

Ueno pointed out that while Japan’s biotech clusters have secured a place in the global pharmaceutical industry, enhancing their competitiveness will require stronger cooperation between regions and alignment with global markets. To this end, Japan’s government and industry are promoting closer industry-academia-research collaborations, particularly in early-stage drug development and data sharing, which can accelerate technology transfer and increase success rates.

Moreover, globalization requires Japanese pharmaceutical companies to actively engage in international partnerships. Ueno suggested that collaboration with pharmaceutical companies in Europe, the U.S., and emerging markets would allow Japanese firms to bring innovative drugs to international markets faster. Such partnerships also help Japanese companies access more global research resources, strengthening their position in emerging fields like regenerative medicine and gene therapy.

Ultimately Ueno summarized that Japan’s drug discovery ecosystem is rapidly evolving, with digital transformation and international cooperation as the two key drivers of growth. As new technologies emerge and global market demands increase, Japan’s pharmaceutical companies will face both opportunities and challenges. By enhancing local resource integration and actively participating in global collaboration, Japan is poised to play a more significant role in the global drug discovery landscape.

Author

Bernice Lottering