BEIJING – Despite tensions between the U.S. and China, especially in the tech sector, Oncologie Inc. maintains its plans to pursue drug development in both markets. The clinical-stage startup, led by U.S. scientists and funded with Chinese capital, has stationed itself in both Boston and Shanghai to focus on developing innovative cancer therapies simultaneously in China and the U.S.

Daiichi Sankyo Co. Ltd., of Tokyo, reported through its European arm one-year outcomes results from a study of 24,962 patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) treated with Lixiana (edoxaban), including elderly NVAF patients and those with and without a history of intracranial hemorrhage. 

Eisai Inc., of Woodcliff Lake, N.J., the U.S. pharmaceutical subsidiary of Tokyo-based Eisai Co. Ltd., appointed Priya Chaturvedi vice president of global clinical quality assurance. 

Japan's Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma Co. Ltd. plans to pay $3 billion to acquire Roivant Sciences Ltd.'s ownership interests in five biopharma companies, plus options to acquire up to six more from the prolific company-builder. The deal, slated to close in October, would give Sumitomo Dainippon controlling interests in Myovant Sciences Inc., Urovant Sciences Inc., Enzyvant Therapeutics Inc. and Altavant Sciences Inc., as well as an equity stake of more than 10% in Roivant itself.

BEIJING – China has finally written all its drug-related reforms into law, as it passed the amendment of its drug administration law in late August, the amendment to take effect on Dec. 1. Those moves carry one goal: to bring more and better drugs into the Chinese market as quickly as possible.

BEIJING – Chinese T-cell immunotherapy specialist Immunotech Biopharm Ltd., of Beijing, has become the seventh pre-revenue biotech on the waiting list to go public on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEX). In an application filed last week, the specific amount was not disclosed, but company said much of the proceeds are expected to advance its lead candidate targeting liver cancer.

Proteona Pte. Ltd., of Singapore, said it agreed to participate in AI Singapore's 100 Experiments program, which aims to solve challenges in single cell data analysis using artificial intelligence tools. A spin-off from the National University of Singapore and the Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Proteona uses DNA barcoded antibodies to provide both proteomic and genomic information from the same single cells. 

The Asia Pacific region (APAC) is vast and awash with varied economies, languages, governments and ambitions. That's the backdrop for its dramatic underperformance compared to the West's pharmaceutical innovations. Yet plenty of opportunities exist, along with a healthy dose of uncertainty, according to the first Pharmaceutical Innovation in the APAC region report, published by Clarivate Analytics plc.