Chugai acquires Renalys Pharma, boosts kidney disease pipeline

Chugai Pharmaceutical reported a 5.0% increase in revenue to JPY 911.6 bn and a 2.7% rise in operating profit to JPY 429.8 bn for the nine months ended September 30, 2025, compared to the same period last year. Net income attributable to shareholders grew 3.3% to JPY 305.6 bn. The company anticipates full-year revenue of JPY 1,190.0 bn and Core operating profit of JPY 570.0 bn.

Chugai is acquiring Renalys Pharma, a domestic biotech firm, to obtain exclusive development and commercialization rights for sparsentan in Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan. This acquisition, approved on October 24, 2025, involves an upfront payment of JPY 15,000 m and potential milestone payments of up to JPY 16,000 m based on regulatory approvals and sales. The transaction is expected to conclude by the end of November 2025 and is projected to have a minimal impact on Chugai’s consolidated financial forecast for the fiscal year ending December 2025.

This acquisition enhances Chugai's pipeline in IgA nephropathy, complementing its existing sefaxersen program, and aims to offer diverse treatment options for patients with kidney diseases. The company’s R&D activities also include advancements in oncology, immunology, and neuroscience.