Japan Cancer Immunotherapy Market Analysis

Japan Cancer Immunotherapy Market Executive Analysis

Japan's cancer immunotherapy market is expected to witness growth from $6.9 Bn in 2022 to $12.5 Bn in 2030 with a CAGR of 7.6% for the forecasted year 2022-30. With varying patterns in age groups, the overall annual medical spending in FY 2050 will amount to $535.1–584.0 Bn, which is 1.3–1.5 times more than in FY 2018. If the influence of the spread of gastroesophageal medication consumption was considered, it was anticipated that the cumulative total medical care spending would reduce by roughly $7.2-9.0 Bn. On the other hand, the cumulative total medical care expenditure was predicted to increase by roughly $68.7-106.5 Bn as a result of the ongoing rise in cancer-related medical costs.

In 2020, 378,356 people in Japan passed away from cancer, according to a report from the Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare. This translates to one in four persons dying from cancer and makes up 27.6% of all deaths that year. The cancer death rate—the number of fatalities per 100,000 people—has been gradually increasing and surpassed 307.0 in 2020. Lung cancer, which claimed 53,244 lives in men, had the greatest mortality rate (88.8), followed by stomach cancer (27,769) and colorectal cancer (27,715). With a death rate of 38.0, colorectal cancer (24,069) and lung cancer (22,337) were the two most prevalent types in women.

Numerous studies on cancer immunotherapy have been conducted ever since the first cancer treatment trials using Coley's toxin to elicit an immune response were started. Tumor-specific T-cells have been found to directly destroy tumor cells in mice studies that have uncovered tumor-specific antigens. Tumor-specific antigens, their T-cell epitopes, and immune responses to these antigens were later shown in humans to help clarify the molecular mechanisms behind the immune system's identification and destruction of tumours. These results led to the development of cancer immunotherapies that target the stimulation of tumor antigen-specific T-cell responses. Ipilimumab, a monoclonal antibody (mAb) against CTLA-4 that disrupted costimulatory signalling via the CTLA-4 and B7 molecules, was the first immunotherapy drug. In a clinical trial comparing ipilimumab to standard therapy for individuals with advanced melanoma, a higher durable objective response rate was seen. The FDA expanded the approved use of nivolumab to patients with advanced squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with progression on or after platinum-based chemotherapy in 2015. Subsequently, PD-1 mAb, nivolumab, was also approved for the treatment of unresectable melanoma in Japan and the USA in 2014. The development of new cancer immunotherapy that targets immunological checkpoint molecules and immune suppressive cells was inspired by the clinical success of these mAb medicines.

Market Dynamics

Market Growth Drivers

Japan has one of the oldest and fastest-ageing populations in the world, and its older population has a high incidence of cancer. This is increasing demand for innovative and efficient cancer therapies, such as immunotherapy. The regulation procedure for novel cancer therapies, such as immunotherapy, has been streamlined by the Japanese government. This has facilitated the commercialization of novel therapies and is anticipated to boost the Japanese market for cancer immunotherapy. Japan is home to some of the top cancer research facilities in the world and has a sophisticated healthcare system. This infrastructure offers a solid framework for the creation and uptake of novel cancer therapies, such as immunotherapy. In Japan, people and healthcare professionals are becoming more aware of the potential advantages of immunotherapy. This is increasing the demand for these therapies and encouraging the development of newly developed immunotherapy drugs across the nation. This has resulted in the expansion of the Japanese cancer immunotherapy market.

Market Restraints

Numerous individuals in Japan might not be able to afford immunotherapy therapies since they can be costly. The market size for these treatments might be constrained by this, particularly in the absence of extensive insurance coverage. Although the regulatory environment in Japan is generally favourable for innovative cancer treatments, the standards for approval can be rather onerous. This may cause delays in the commercialization of novel therapies, which would restrain the market for immunotherapy. While radiation therapy and chemotherapy are well-known and frequently used in Japan, they compete with the potential new method of cancer treatment known as immunotherapy which limits the growth of the Japanese cancer immunotherapy market.

Competitive Landscape

Key Players

• Chordia Therapeutics (JPN)
• Heartseed (JPN)
• LUCA Science (JPN)
• Modulus Discovery (JPN)
• Noile-Immune Biotech (JPN)
• Bayer
• Bristol-Myers Squibb
• ELI Lilly
• F Hoffman-La Roche
• Janssen
• Merck
• Novartis
• Pfizer

Notable Deals

December 2022- Imfinzi + Imjudo and Imfinzi have both received approval in Japan for the treatment of advanced liver and non-small cell lung malignancies, respectively. Imfinzi (durvalumab) and Imjudo (tremelimumab), immunotherapies from AstraZeneca, have received approval in Japan for the treatment of advanced liver, biliary tract, and lung cancers. In accordance with the approvals, Imfinzi and Imjudo may be used in combination to treat adult patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) or adult patients with unresectable, advanced, or recurring non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who are also receiving chemotherapy. Imfinzi was also approved for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable HCC in conjunction with chemotherapy (gemcitabine + cisplatin) and for the treatment of adult patients with curatively unresectable biliary tract carcinoma (BTC).

May 2022- The first immunotherapy to receive regulatory approval in Japan for the adjuvant treatment of non-small cell lung cancer is Chugai's Tecentriq. The Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare has given the anti-cancer drug/humanized anti-PD-L1 monoclonal antibody Tecentriq® Intravenous Infusion 1200 mg, also known as atezolizumab (genetic recombination), regulatory approval for an additional indication for the adjuvant treatment of PD-L1-positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Healthcare Policies and Regulatory Landscape

In Japan, the NHI system was first implemented in 1961. If a copayment established by the national rules is paid, the right to obtain equitable medical care is guaranteed to the entire country. Medical technology and practice technical fees are set openly. The NHI drug price plan passed into law in September 1950, is used to set drug costs. The universal healthcare system in Japan, which gives all residents access to fundamental healthcare services, covers cancer treatment. A separate cancer insurance scheme run by the Japanese government pays for all citizens' cancer treatments, including immunotherapy. Regarding payment procedures, the NHI, a program established by the Japanese government, covers cancer treatment. Immunotherapy is one type of cancer treatment that is covered under the NHI system at rates determined by patient co-pays and government subsidies.