Drug Researcher: Sun setting on big pharma research in Japan?
A second pharma giant is closing its only research facility in Japan and others are also considering following suit, according to a Japanese business paper. A report in the Nikkei claims GlaxoSmithKline will follow Pfizer's example and close its research base in Tsukuba, relocating the 100 scientists employed there to the development division of its Japanese subsidiary. Only 15 years ago, GSK spent about \20bn on the facility but will now concentrate its research in the US and UK...In January, Pfizer announced its intension to close its research site in Japan, with the 300 scientists there being asked to relocate worldwide to stay with the company. The article also said that Merck & Co is considering reducing their research operations in Japan....[C]linical development in the country has been held back by the high cost of trials and the reluctance of patients to participate in them. The Japanese government is facing up to the problem though, and is about half way through an extended, six-year plan aimed at addressing the problems...more...
