Sparks - Basilea Pharmaceutica

Basilea has announced that Japanese partner Asahi Kasei Therapeutics has initiated a Phase II study of lead asset Cresemba in paediatric patients in Japan, evaluating safety and pharmacokinetics in children at risk of deep mycoses. Cresemba is already approved for adults in Japan (since 2022) and for paediatric use across several major markets, including the US, Canada, Europe and China. While we expect the direct commercial contribution from the paediatric indication to be modest, we view the programme as a useful lifecycle-management opportunity, potentially broadening the Japanese label and, subject to regulatory eligibility, extending the local re-examination period beyond its current 2030 expiry. Japan is an important Asian market for Cresemba alongside China, and successful paediatric approval should further reinforce the franchise’s positioning in invasive fungal infections in the region. This is strategically relevant as Cresemba approaches maturity in the US and Europe from Q427, increasing the importance of continued commercial momentum in Asian markets. Cresemba’s global in-market sales reached US$782m in the 12 months to March 2026, up 27% year-on-year.