Challenges in the development of new anti-tuberculosis drugs originated in Japan:
global clinical trials and new global R&D partnership frameworks

On January 20, 2023, we held the 5th Academia Clinical Development Seminar online, inviting Dr. Masanori Kawasaki from Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd (Otsuka).

He has been engaged in research and development of new anti-tuberculosis drugs, diagnostic drugs for tuberculosis, and new vaccines at Otsuka. In this seminar, he spoke about the development of new anti-tuberculosis drugs based on his extensive experience.

He explained that tuberculosis is the most deadly and serious infectious disease except COVID-19, and no new drug has been introduced for more than 30 years since the 1970s. Furthermore, the spread of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis has been a serious problem since the 1990s, but Otsuka has developed the first Japanese drug for multidrug-resistant pulmonary tuberculosis in about 40 years, he said.
In this seminar, he talked about the global research and development efforts of anti-tuberculosis drugs and the worldwide public-private-academic partnerships.
The seminar was a success with many participants and a lively Q&A session.

The next seminar will be held on Friday, March 10, 2023, with Dr. Kyoko Yoshioka from Health Policy Bureau, Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.
We look forward to seeing you at the next meeting.