Takanawa Pharma

We develop projects, provide advisory and licensing

Pharma Team

Dr. Kaoru Nozu

Dr. Kaoru Nozu

Executive Representative, Pharmaceutical

47 years experience in the Japanese pharma market

Bolli Thoroddsen

14 years experience in the Japanese market

Dr. Katsushige Gomi

Dr. Katsushige Gomi

Scientific Director, Pharmaceutical

41 years experience in the Japanese pharma market

Masakazu Sano

Masakazu Sano

Head of Business Development, Pharma

40 years experience in the Japanese pharma market

Hildur Jónsdóttir

Hildur Jónsdóttir

Manager, Pharmaceutical

9 years experience in the pharma market

Jean-Pierre Fere

Jean-Pierre Fere

Advisor, Pharmaceutical

46 years experience in the Japanese pharma market

Ayako Sasajima

Ayako Sasajima

Tokyo Office Manager

18 years experience in business development

Why work with us?

Experience

Seasoned pharmaceutical industry specialists, with extensive global business experience.

Network

Strong network among the top management of the leading pharmaceutical companies in Japan.

Track Record

Strong track record in pharmaceuticals and health care products. For example M&A, JV, licensing and partnering.

Science Background

Our team members have solid science know-how through decades of pharmaceutical research and development.

KOL Connections

Strong connections with pharmaceutical related key opinion leaders (KOLs) in Japan, especially in the area of oncology.

Active Participation

Active participation in leading industry bodies such as the Japan Pharma Manufacturers Association and the Japan Pharma Licensing Association.

Track Record

2023: Licensing

Takanawa finalized a $221 m. licensing agreement between Gi-Innovation, Korean pharma company, and Maruho, a Japanese pharma company

2020: Licensing

Takanawa finalized a $510 m. licensing agreement between a US pharma company and a Japanese pharma company

2020: Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)

Takanawa supported and facilitated Avigan (Favipiravir) from Fujifilm to Iceland in the fight against Covid-19. More information can be seen here.

2018: Acquisition

Takanawa participated in acquisition, with industry specialists, financial experts and a strong group of investors, of Actavis' manufacturing site in Iceland, owned by Teva, and established a new pharma company, Coripharma. Takanawa is a shareholder in the company.

Enzymatica

2018: Licensing

Takanawa finalized a partnership agreement between Enzymatica AB and a large Japanese pharmaceutical company on the product ColdZyme, a medical device.

Past Projects

By Takanawa's team members in their prior positions

JV

For Actavis, coordinated and facilitated a JV with Aska Pharmaceutical, a Takeda Group company.

Partnership: Oncology

For Actavis, coordinated the establishment of its Japan oncology business, camptothecin, epirubicin, gemcitabine, with Nippon Kayaku, Taiho and Sawai.

Licensing: Oncology

For Sanofi, coordinated evaluation and negotiated the in-licensing of the global leading oncology product camptothecin from Yakult for the European market.

Licensing: Oncology

For Sanofi, coordinated evaluation and negotiated the in-licensing of G-CSF from Chugai for the European market, which led to the establishment of a JV.

Licensing: Oncology

For Yakult, negotiated the in-licensing of G-CSF from Kyowa Hakko Kirin, for the Japanese market.

Licensing: Oncology

For Sanofi, lead the negotiation of the out-licensing of the global leading oncology product docetaxel to Chugai for the Japanese market.

Clinical study: Oncology

For Kyowa Kirin, project read preclinical studies of vinorelbine, for lung/breast cancer, from Pierre Fabre.

Medical affairs: Oncology

For Kyowa Kirin, managed medical affairs of the oncology product 5-FU, which was launched in Japan.

R&D and marketing: Oncology

For Yakult, involved in R&D and marketing of irinotecan, which was launched in Japan.

R&D and marketing: Oncology

For Yakult, involved in R&D and marketing of oxaliplatin, which was launched in Japan.

Co-development and co-promotion: CNS

For Sanofi, lead the negotiation of co-R&D/promotion with Chugai of a CNS product, zopiclone, a hypnotic agent used in the treatment of insomnia, for Japan.

Licensing: CNS

For Sanofi, lead the negotiation of the licensing of a CNS product, zolpidem, that increases GABA inhibitory effects leading to sedation, to Astellas for Japan.

Licensing: CNS

For Kyowa Kirin, involved in the licensing of a CNS product, SSRI, which increases levels of serotonin in the brain, and was launched in Japan.

Global Development: CNS/Cardiovascular:

For Kyowa Kirin, involved in global devel. of istradefylline, parkinson’s disease drug, MOA of adenosine A2a antagonist, for Japan & USA.

R&D: Cardiovascular

For Kaken, involved in the R&D of an anti-hypertensive drug, beta-blocker, launched in Japan.

Licensing: Cardiovascular

For Sanofi, lead the negotiation of the out-licensing of the cardiovascular product, acetanol, β1-receptor antagonist, to Chugai for the Japanese market.

Licensing: Cardiovascular

For Sanofi, lead the negotiation of the out-licensing of a cardiovascular product, antiplatelet agent, to Daiichi-Sankyo for the Japanese market.

The logos are used only for illustrative purposes. They are the property of those companies and should not be viewed as representing current relations with Takanwa Pharma or as a indirect or direct endorsement of those companies.