TOKYO, Mar 25 (Pulse News Wire) – Kyorin Pharmaceutical CO.,LTD. (4569.T) announced today that it has entered into an exclusive sales agreement with Johnson & Johnson (J&J) for the tuberculosis treatment drug Saturo® tablets 100mg in Japan, effective March 25, 2026.
Under the contract, KYORIN will begin promoting the product independently from June 2026. Once additional indications for treating Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) lung disease are approved, KYORIN will handle the distribution exclusively, receiving supplies from J&J. Saturo® is part of J&J's diarylquinoline class of anti-tuberculosis drugs, which inhibit the ATP synthase essential for Mycobacterium tuberculosis growth. It has been available in Japan since 2018 for multidrug-resistant pulmonary tuberculosis, typically administered alongside other antitubercular medications. KYORIN’s mid-term plan “Vision 110-Stage1” includes expanding its pipeline through acquisitions, aiming to contribute to earnings early on.
By adding Saturo® to their lineup, the company seeks to enhance its presence in respiratory, ear-nose-throat, and urology sectors. The impact on the fiscal year ending March 2026 is expected to be minor. According to health ministry data, there were 1,275 newly reported cases of pulmonary tuberculosis in Japan in 2024, with 45 being multidrug-resistant. Non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) infections, particularly MAC, account for approximately 80% of chronic NTM lung diseases. A Phase II/III clinical trial for resistant MAC lung disease patients is currently underway by J&J.
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