Despite having multiple world-class pharma companies and innovative research, Japan is notably absent as a source of candidate vaccines for the coronavirus. The pandemic is again throwing into sharp relief past and present challenges around the country's vaccines sector.

The recent reimbursement and launch of Zolgensma showed Japan willing and able to approve and pay for gene therapies, and others including from Otsuka/Takara Bio are moving forward under a supportive regulatory framework.

Japanese bioventure goes down the DNA vaccine route, along with several others worldwide, pointing to potential development speed and safety advantages.

The Japanese environment for cell and gene therapies and regenerative medicine in general continues to be highly supportive. But will pricing pressures under the NHI scheme move to the fore as more expensive products come to market?