Latest news with #HekaBio
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
NKGen Biotech and HekaBio Enter Strategic Partnership to Bring Novel NK Cell Therapy to Japan
In connection with HekaBio's recently announced strategic investment in NKGen, the partnership will expedite the regulatory, manufacturing, and commercial development of NKGen's autologous NK cell therapy, troculeucel, in Japan. Under Japan's Regenerative Medicine guidelines, cell therapies enjoy a regulatory environment with multiple paths for expedited commercialization. Troculeucel is well positioned to be the first-in-class forerunner for the treatment of several intractable neurodegenerative diseases. SANTA ANA, Calif., July 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NKGen Biotech, Inc. (OTC: NKGN) ('NKGen' or the 'Company'), a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on the development and commercialization of innovative autologous and allogeneic natural killer ('NK') cell therapeutics, and HekaBio K.K., headquartered in Chuo-ku, Tokyo ('HekaBio'), announced a strategic partnership to accelerate the regulatory, manufacturing and commercial development of NKGen's autologous NK cell therapy, troculeucel, in Japan following HekaBio's recently announced investment in common equity of NKGen. HekaBio will lead all clinical trials in Japan and oversee all regulatory activities with Japan's Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency for pre-market approval of troculeucel in several neurodegenerative disease indications, including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's Diseases. As troculeucel is an autologous, non-genetically modified cell therapy, there is allowance under regenerative medicine regulations in Japan to offer this therapy to patients on an accelerated path, much faster than in other major markets. HekaBio will fully leverage the regulation and its domestic strategic partner network, aiming for first dosing in Japanese patients over the next 12 months. Beyond intractable disease, troculeucel has the potential to also support Japan's aging population in the longevity/wellness space. 'Japan has always had an advanced progressive health care system where great attention has been placed on the use of novel autologous cell therapies for prevention, longevity, and wellness as well as for the treatment of more chronic illnesses,' said Paul Y. Song, MD, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer ('CEO') of NKGen. 'I am convinced that HekaBio's clinical, regulatory, and commercial expertise will guide us to satisfy all regulatory requirements, find the best local manufacturing partner to make our therapy readily available, and ultimately develop the best commercial strategy for Japan. We are very excited to partner with HekaBio.' 'Dementia, particularly Alzheimer's Disease, and other neurodegenerative diseases together present significant health and social challenges in Japan due to the country's aging population. We are very excited about our partnership with NKGen and look forward to advancing troculeucel for the benefit of patients and society,' said Rob Claar, CEO of HekaBio. About NKGen Biotech NKGen is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on the development and commercialization of innovative autologous and allogeneic NK cell therapeutics. NKGen is headquartered in Santa Ana, California, USA. For more information, please visit About Troculeucel Troculeucel is a novel cell-based, patient specific, ex vivo expanded autologous NK cell immunotherapeutic drug candidate. NKGen is developing troculeucel for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders and a broad range of cancers. Troculeucel is the International Nonproprietary Name ('INN') for SNK01 assigned by the World Health Organization ('WHO'). The WHO INN approval of troculeucel establishes a universally recognized nonproprietary drug name for SNK01 and marks a significant step on NKGen's journey toward bringing this therapy to market. About HekaBio HekaBio is a Japan-based healthcare platform that accelerates patient access to global medicines and MedTech across Asia-Pacific. HekaBio reviews over 200 assets annually to in-license a select few, focusing on early-stage yet de-risked opportunities in CNS, oncology and healthy longevity. HekaBio synchronizes U.S. and Japan development timelines and leverages strategic partnerships to optimize commercial success. Japan, the world's third-largest healthcare market, serves as its launchpad for regional expansion. To learn more about HekaBio's mission and portfolio, please visit Forward-Looking Statements Statements contained in this press release may contain 'forward-looking statements' within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words such as 'anticipate', 'believe', 'could', 'continue', 'expect', 'estimate', 'may', 'plan', 'outlook', 'future' and 'project' and other similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters. Because such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, many of which are outside of the Company's control, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the Company's plans and expected timing for developing troculeucel and SNK02, including the expected timing of completing and announcing further results from its ongoing clinical studies; and the Company's expected timing for developing its product candidates and potential benefits of its product candidates. Risks that contribute to the uncertain nature of the forward-looking statements include: the Company's ability to execute its plans and strategies; risks related to performing clinical studies; the risk that initial and interim results of a clinical study do not necessarily predict final results and that one or more of the clinical outcomes may materially change as patient enrollment continues, following more comprehensive reviews of the data, and as more patient data become available; potential delays in the commencement, enrollment and completion of clinical studies and the reporting of data therefrom; the risk that studies will not be completed as planned; the risk that the abstract will not be published as planned including delays in timing, format, or accessibility; and NKGen's ability to raise additional funding to complete the development of its product candidates. These and other risks and uncertainties are described more fully under the caption 'Risk Factors' and elsewhere in the Company's filings and reports, which may be accessed for free by visiting the Securities and Exchange Commission's website at and on the Company's website under the subheading 'Investors—Financial and Filings'. Investors should take such risks into account and should not rely on forward-looking statements when making investment decisions. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date on which they were made. The Company undertakes no obligation to update such statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made, except as required by law. Internal Contact: Denise Chua, MBA, CLS, MLS (ASCP)SVP, Corporate Affairs949-396-6830dchua@ External Contact: Kevin GardnerManaging DirectorLifeSci Advisors, LLCkgardner@
Business Wire
16-06-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
HekaBio, Japan-based Biopharma and MedTech Platform, Enters Strategic Partnership with Alfresa Holdings Corporation
TOKYO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--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. HekaBio, Japan-based Biopharma and MedTech Platform, Enters Strategic Partnership with Alfresa Holdings Corporation -- Accelerating Access to Innovative Therapies in Japan through Alfresa Group's 'Total Supply Chain Service'-- Share 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. About HekaBio HekaBio is a Japan-based, asset-light healthcare platform that accelerates patient access to global medicines and MedTech across Asia-Pacific. HekaBio reviews over 200 assets annually to in-license a select few, focusing on early-stage, de-risked opportunities in CNS, oncology, and healthy longevity. HekaBio synchronizes U.S. and Japan development timelines and leverages strategic partnerships to optimize commercial success. Japan, the world's third-largest healthcare market, serves as its launchpad for regional expansion. To learn more about HekaBio's mission and portfolio, visit About Alfresa Holdings Alfresa Holdings is the holding company for the Alfresa Group, which operates businesses ranging from the development, manufacture, and distribution of pharmaceuticals to the operation of dispensing pharmacies and is the top corporate group in Japan in terms of ethical pharmaceuticals wholesaling, with consolidated net sales exceeding ¥2.9 trillion in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2025. Guided by its corporate philosophy, 'we create and deliver a fresh life for all,' the entire Group supports supply chains for pharmaceuticals and other products, a form of social infrastructure underpinning Japanese healthcare, contributing to a wide range of medical needs. For more information:
Yahoo
16-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
HekaBio, Japan-based Biopharma and MedTech Platform, Enters Strategic Partnership with Alfresa Holdings Corporation
~~Accelerating Access to Innovative Therapies in Japan through Alfresa Group's 'Total Supply Chain Service'~~ TOKYO, June 16, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--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. About HekaBio HekaBio is a Japan-based, asset-light healthcare platform that accelerates patient access to global medicines and MedTech across Asia-Pacific. HekaBio reviews over 200 assets annually to in-license a select few, focusing on early-stage, de-risked opportunities in CNS, oncology, and healthy longevity. HekaBio synchronizes U.S. and Japan development timelines and leverages strategic partnerships to optimize commercial success. Japan, the world's third-largest healthcare market, serves as its launchpad for regional learn more about HekaBio's mission and portfolio, visit About Alfresa Holdings Alfresa Holdings is the holding company for the Alfresa Group, which operates businesses ranging from the development, manufacture, and distribution of pharmaceuticals to the operation of dispensing pharmacies and is the top corporate group in Japan in terms of ethical pharmaceuticals wholesaling, with consolidated net sales exceeding ¥2.9 trillion in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2025. Guided by its corporate philosophy, "we create and deliver a fresh life for all," the entire Group supports supply chains for pharmaceuticals and other products, a form of social infrastructure underpinning Japanese healthcare, contributing to a wide range of medical more information: View source version on Contacts HekaBio CommunicationsMari TanakaEmail: IR@ Alfresa Holdings CorporationCorporate Communication DepartmentEmail: ir@ Sign in to access your portfolio
