Rivals to Careram, Keppra, Patanol, Velcade and Volibris have been listed with Japan’s NHI drug price list by Sawai, as the company seeks to capitalize on its position as a leading supplier in the market.

Kobayashi Kako has agreed to transfer ownership of eight of its production, research and distribution facilities to Sawai, which will use them to expand the manufacturing of its own generics. Business was suspended at Kobayashi Kako for 116 days this year after the company’s manufacturing deficiencies were linked to two deaths.

Sawai’s Q2 results mirrored those of Q1, with a strong performance in Japan but a weak one in the US. The firm is continuing to focus on establishing new production facilities in both territories.

Sun-Cassiopea’s novel mechanism of action acne drug sees a “fair degree” of early physician interest in the US, with some analysts expecting the topical androgen receptor inhibitor to emerge as a key addition to the Indian’s firm’s specialty portfolio.