Accelerating Access to Innovative Therapies in Japan through Alfresa Group’s ‘Total Supply Chain Service’
HekaBio K.K. (Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; President & CEO: Robert E. Claar; hereinafter “HekaBio”) today announced the signing of a strategic partnership agreement with Alfresa Holdings Corporation (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director & President: Ryuji Arakawa; hereinafter “Alfresa Holdings”), the leading pharmaceutical wholesaler group in Japan. As part of this agreement, Alfresa Holdings has also made a capital investment in HekaBio. The partnership aims to accelerate the commercialization of innovative medical products in Japan.
Background and Purpose
In recent years, Japan has implemented policy reforms to address the growing access gap, where innovative therapies approved overseas are slow to come to the Japanese market.
In response to these developments, HekaBio has focused on introducing cutting-edge pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and regenerative medicine products from global markets into Japan and the Asia-Pacific markets. Leveraging a proprietary global network and partnership model, HekaBio evaluates over 200 assets annually across oncology, cardiology and CNS, and supports end-to-end commercialization from licensing to clinical and regulatory development, manufacturing and sales.
This partnership with Alfresa Group will enable HekaBio to advance and expand its portfolio and impact, particularly in CNS and regenerative medicine where Alfresa Group has strengths in manufacturing and in sales, including various other aspects of sales-related operations across the supply chain.
Outlook
Through this partnership, HekaBio and Alfresa Group aim to accelerate the introduction of high-impact, potential blockbuster therapies into the Japanese market, expanding treatment options for patients. The companies also plan to explore commercialization strategies across the Asia-Pacific region and beyond.
