Japan-UK firm is looking to build on a combination of internal and external assets to pursue a more independent business development path in Japan and beyond, in parallel with ongoing discovery and development collaborations.

The PureTech Health-founded entity believes it has made a significant step forward in the treatment of schizophrenia with its muscarinic-receptor acting agent KarXT, which could offer a completely new way to address all three symptom domains of the disease.

Having just entered into drug discovery partnerships with Surface Oncology and Adrestia, GSK is paying £34m upfront to team up with Sosei Heptares to evaluate treatments for gastrointestinal immune disorders.

Jörn Aldag, who has over 20 years of leadership experience in the life sciences industry, including CEO of gene therapy pioneer uniQure, tells Scrip that the research carried at the world-class Italian research institute SR-Tiget.