On 19 June 2026, Chugai Pharmaceutical (a Roche subsidiary) announced that the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare has approved Rituxan® (rituximab) for adult-onset frequently relapsing or steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome, and Avastin® (bevacizumab) for treatment of neurofibromatosis type 2. Avastin® is now the first drug approved in the world for the treatment of neurofibromatosis type 2.
Rituxan® was approved in Japan in August 2014 for paediatric-onset refractory nephrotic syndrome (frequently relapsing or steroid-dependent), in September 2024 for steroid-resistant paediatric-onset refractory nephrotic syndrome, and in March 2025 for paediatric-onset non-refractory frequently relapsing or steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome.
Chugai currently co-promotes Rituxan® in Japan with Zenyaku Kogyo, which is the marketing authorisation holder. However, in April 2026, Chugai and Zenyaku announced that they have terminated their co-promotion in Japan for Rituxan®, effective from 3 September 2026, at which time Zenyaku will assume sole responsibility for sales of Rituxan® in Japan.
Rituximab was one of the first mAbs to become “biosimilar”. Both Pfizer and Sandoz/Kyowa Kirin market rituximab biosimilars in Japan. Bevacizumab biosimilars have also been marketed in Japan for some time, including by Celltrion (Vegzelma™, launched January 2023) and Daiichi Sankyo/Amgen (bevacizumab BS for intravenous drip infusions, launched December 2019).