{
  "id": 17711898,
  "title": "Drug maker Rohto plans clinical trials in Hong Kong as OASES’ first Japan partner",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/02/drug-maker-rohto-plans-clinical-trials-in-hong-kong-as-oases-first-17711898",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-11-02T00:30:11.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "South China Morning Post - Hong Kong",
    "slug": "south-china-morning-post-hong-kong",
    "url": "https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3372885/drug-maker-rohto-plans-clinical-trials-hong-kong-oases-first-japan-partner"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Japanese pharmaceutical giant Rohto Pharmaceutical has chosen Hong Kong as its first partner under a government initiative aimed at attracting strategic companies to the city. Known for its consumer healthcare goods, Rohto is set to initiate clinical trials in the region, focusing on ophthalmology, cancer, and cell therapy. This move comes as part of the Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises (OASES) program, which aims to recruit firms of strategic importance to Hong Kong.\n\nRohto's chairman and representative director, Kunio Yamada, cited Hong Kong's top-tier university research capabilities and proximity to mainland China as key factors in the decision. He expressed optimism about the potential to leverage Hong Kong's connection to the Greater Bay Area, a Beijing-led initiative to create a business and innovation hub encompassing Hong Kong, Macau, and nine cities in Guangdong province. Yamada also highlighted the city's role as a gateway to the Greater Bay Area, suggesting that the city could provide access to nearly 90 million people for clinical trials, particularly beneficial for cell therapy research.\n\nRohto has already established partnerships with four local universities and is in discussions with hospitals in Hong Kong and Shenzhen regarding trials and research endeavors. The company is also considering establishing a facility within the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Zone. In preparation for setting up its own drug regulatory body, Hong Kong may offer conditional approval for regenerative medicine treatments, a practice already in place in Japan. Rohto plans to increase its investment in Hong Kong over the next three to five years, growing its Hong Kong workforce from six current staff members to approximately 10 to 15 employees. Yamada expressed confidence in Hong Kong's research environment, affirming the company's commitment to expanding its operations in the region.",
  "summary": "Top university research, cross-border data exchanges and access to mainland China’s large market have attracted Japanese firm Rohto Pharmaceutical to conduct clinical trials in Hong Kong, making it the first company from the country to partner with the city’s government under a flagship investment initiative. Rohto, known for its over-the-counter eye care and skincare products, is among the…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}