Japanese chemical industry news

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  9 April 2026

  Zenyaku Kogyo and Chugai end Rituxan co-promotion in Japan effective Sept 3, 2026

  Rituxan co-promotion in Japan ends Sept 3, 2026. One partner will cease sales on sell-out; the other assumes sole sales and medical information from Sept 4. Transition to ensure stable supply.
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  8 April 2026

  GSK’s Exdensur approved in China for CRSwNP

  China approves Exdensur (depemokimab) as biannual add-on for adults with CRSwNP uncontrolled by systemic steroids or surgery. ANCHOR trials showed reduced polyp size and obstruction; well tolerated.
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  8 April 2026

  Clariant showcases sustainable plastics innovations at Chinaplas 2026

  PFAS-free PPAs for film extrusion and food contact; halogen/antimony‑free Exolit OP 1266 for 800V+ e‑mobility; rice‑bran wax food‑approved additives; titanium catalysts to replace antimony
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  6 April 2026

  Chugai: Study in Blood Identifies Complement-Activated ITP Subgroup

  Joint Osaka Univ study published in Blood finds three ITP platelet‑destruction mechanisms and suggests a simple clinical test to identify patients who may benefit from complement inhibitors.
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  6 April 2026

  James Robinson Speciality Ingredients and Mitsui Fine Chemicals partner to distribute Jarocol® hair dyes in Japan

  Exclusive distribution of a hair-dye range; offers formulators colours from grey coverage to vibrant fashion shades, with technical support and local market expertise.
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  2 April 2026

  FDA approves Lilly's Foundayo (orforglipron), oral GLP‑1 for anytime dosing

  Oral GLP‑1 produced ~12% mean weight loss (~27 lb) at 72 weeks in Phase 3. Available via direct home delivery with low‑cost copays; carries thyroid tumor and GI side‑effect warnings.

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  2 April 2026

  TotalEnergies and Masdar form $2.2bn JV for onshore renewables in Asia

  Merger of onshore solar, wind and storage in nine Asian countries, combining 3 GW operational and 6 GW advanced-development (to 2030). HQ in ADGM; ~200 staff; closing subject to approvals.
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  31 March 2026

  Mitsubishi Gas Chemical to End Polycarbonate Production at Kashima Plant

  Discontinuing Kashima polycarbonate plant in March 2028 (120k t/yr) due to weak margins and oversupply. Domestic supply to shift to overseas sites; employees prioritized; financial impact under review.
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  31 March 2026

  Sumisho Venture Partners launches ¥10 billion fund

  Shifting to a fund structure to enable medium/long‑term, larger lead investments, deepen portfolio engagement and co‑creation, and pursue strategic and financial returns in digital, AI and deep tech
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  30 March 2026

  Velocys and SuMo commission Fischer–Tropsch unit at Wednesbury for UK waste-to-SAF

  FT unit at Wednesbury is online and stable, validating integration of gasification and FT for waste-to-SAF and supporting ClearSkies demonstration toward modular, scalable SAF production.
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  30 March 2026

  GSK's bepirovirsen accepted for regulatory review in China for chronic hepatitis B

  China NMPA accepted NDA for bepirovirsen after Phase III B-Well trials showed significant functional cure rates in treated CHB patients; granted Breakthrough Therapy; acceptable safety.
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  30 March 2026

  GSK’s Exdensur approved in China for severe eosinophilic asthma

  First ultra-long-acting IL-5 biologic for eosinophilic severe asthma; twice-yearly dosing cut annual exacerbations by ~48–58% in SWIFT trials and lowered hospital/ED visits.
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  29 March 2026

  LOTTE Chemical to merge with HD Hyundai Chemical after Daesan spin-off, pivots to specialty materials

  Targets >60% specialty by 2030; building a 500k t/yr compounding plant; creating hydrogen value chain—four fuel-cell plants (80MW) and 450‑bar H2 hub; expanding high-end copper foil and TMAH output.
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  28 March 2026

  Amgen: Repatha cuts first major cardiovascular events 31% in high‑risk patients without significant atherosclerosis

  VESALIUS‑CV subgroup (3,655 high‑risk diabetics without known atherosclerosis) showed a 31% reduction in first major CV events vs placebo; median LDL‑C 44 mg/dL over ~4.8 years.
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  27 March 2026

  Eastman raises ester prices effective April 1, 2026

  isobutyl acetate +$0.15/lb (NA, LatAm), +$0.28/lb (APAC); n-butyl (excl Eastapure) +$0.15/lb (NA, LatAm); n-propyl +$0.15/lb (NA, LatAm). Cited higher raw-material and energy costs.
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  26 March 2026

  Takeda proposes new board slate and nominates Julie Kim as CEO

  Current CEO Christophe Weber will retire at the June 24 shareholder meeting; Bruce Broussard, Koichiro Kimura and Paul Stoffels proposed as new external directors; six existing externals to retire.
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  25 March 2026

  Mitsui Chemicals Obtains ISCC PLUS Certification for ACTCOL

  Nagoya Works gained ISCC PLUS for ACTCOL (Jan 2026). Certification covers ACTCOL PPG and polymer polyol resin premix; group to expand mass‑balance biomass and chemically recycled products (~50 total).
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  24 March 2026

  Mitsui Chemicals: Collaborative Rail Freight Enables Same‑Container Continuous Round‑Trips

  Demonstration (Aug 2025–Jan 2026) showed multi-shipper collaborative rail freight in Tokai/Chugoku can use same containers for continuous round-trips, cutting CO2 by 57% and guiding logistics plans.
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  23 March 2026

  Chugai obtains MHLW approval for Lunsumio–Polivy combo in relapsed/refractory large B‑cell lymphoma

  Japan approves Lunsumio + Polivy for relapsed/refractory large B‑cell lymphoma after Phase III SUNMO: ORR 69.7%, PFS 11.5 vs 3.8 months (59% lower progression/death risk); manageable safety.
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  23 March 2026

  GSK’s risvutatug rezetecan granted orphan drug designation for SCLC in Japan

  Risvutatug rezetecan, a B7-H3–targeted ADC, showed durable responses in extensive‑stage SCLC in phase I ARTEMIS‑001; global phase III in relapsed ES‑SCLC is underway.
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  22 March 2026

  Toray Named Next Nadeshiko Company Again for Employee Work‑Life Balance

  Named Next Nadeshiko again for work-life balance: longstanding childcare leave, flextime, telecommuting, hourly leave, awareness campaigns, new family-care support grant and inclusivity unit.
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  19 March 2026

  GSK: Lynavoy (linerixibat) FDA-approved for cholestatic pruritus in PBC

  FDA approved linerixibat for cholestatic pruritus in adults with PBC after GLISTEN phase III showed rapid, sustained itch and sleep improvements. Common AEs: diarrhea, abdominal pain.
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  19 March 2026

  Asahi Kasei wins Tanahashi Prize for 10 MW alkaline electrolyzer durability

  Pilot alkaline water electrolysis plants demonstrated long-term stable, multi-module operation, proving durability under variable renewables and enabling scale-up toward >100 MW systems
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  19 March 2026

  Asahi Kasei awarded Tanahashi Prize for long-term operation of 10 MW alkaline-water electrolysis system

  Pilot plants in Namie (since Mar 2020) and Kawasaki (Mar 2024) validated stable alkaline electrolysis, tested 4x0.8 MW multi-modular units for grid response and durability, aiming >100 MW
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  19 March 2026

  Sumitomo Corporation to Deploy Palantir AIP for OCTG Supply Chain DX

  AI/data platform to optimize OCTG supply chain—inventory, processing and billing. Europe pilot validated; rollout from FY2026 with phased function and regional expansion.
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  18 March 2026

  Toray to Mass-Produce STF-1000 High-Aspect-Ratio Photosensitive Polyimide

  STF-1000 photosensitive polyimide enables 36:1 aspect-ratio patterning in films up to 500 µm, suppressing cracking/delamination for MEMS, semiconductors and scintillators.
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  18 March 2026

  Asahi Kasei, Nippon Steel and Nippon Steel Trading recycle electrolysis cell titanium scrap into pure titanium

  Titanium scrap from chlor-alkali electrolysis cell production is collected, processed and remelted into high-purity titanium with strict contamination control, traceability and recycling targets.
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  18 March 2026

  Avantium reports 2025 full-year results

  Phased start-up of the FDCA Flagship Plant progressed despite construction delays; €85M equity and amended financing secured; half the plant operational; full start-up targeted in 2026
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  17 March 2026

  Aptar appoints Gael Touya CEO effective Sept 1, 2026; Stephan Tanda to retire end-2026

  Gael Touya, a 30-year veteran, led the Pharma unit’s transformation (~82% sales growth) and has global commercial and operational experience. Tanda raised margins, EPS and sustainability.
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  17 March 2026

  Eni secures €9bn 5-year revolving credit facility

  €9bn 5‑year revolver with 2‑year extension option refinancing prior €6bn and €3bn lines; provided by 28 banks, ~40% oversubscription, maintains financial flexibility and extends maturity