Business 3 February 2026, 11:41am

Portfolio

This collaboration is exemplified by Fuji’s development, launch, and marketing in Japan of Alyssa, a dysmenorrhea treatment containing drospirenone and estetrol (E4), as well as by the commercialization of the oral contraceptive Nextstellis in Thailand.

Fuji also holds rights to commercialize Richter’s estetrol (E4)-based hormone replacement therapy candidate in Japan and ASEAN territories. This product candidate has recently received a positive opinion from CHMP (Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use) in Europe under the brand name FYLREVY.

Richter noted that investment and innovation in women’s healthcare remain insufficient. Globally, research and development in this area is estimated to account for less than 5% of overall pharmaceutical R&D, resulting in limited treatment options for the future, and at the same time creating opportunities for innovative companies willing to invest.

Against this backdrop, Richter and Fuji have signed a Business Collaboration Agreement that will strengthen joint efforts in business development and R&D within gynecology, a strategic priority area for both parties.

Leveraging the experience and expertise each organization has cultivated,

the partnership will jointly identify, assess, and pursue the acquisition or in‑licensing of promising external drug candidates worldwide.

Together with internal projects, these initiatives aim to accelerate innovation and deliver advanced therapeutic solutions in women’s health globally.

In relation to the news, Zsuzsa Beke, head of group-level PR and government relations at Richter, told Portfolio that original research in gynaecology is a severely underfunded area, with little R&D money going into it, even though it affects the lives of tens of millions of women. Richter's own research involving 20,000 women shows that women experiencing menopause typically suffer 10 different symptoms every day. These symptoms significantly impair quality of life, and there is currently no causal therapy available; only symptomatic treatment is possible. Richter and Fuji are collaborating with the aim of finding a causal therapy. They are confident that this will accelerate research and enable them to identify the relevant molecules more quickly.

To promote innovation in gynecology, which is becoming increasingly important in light of the impending expiry of the Vraylar patent, Richter has recently established an original research hub for drug discovery and development in Belgium as well as strengthened its Budapest-based R&D activities. This hub will play a pivotal role in advancing the joint development efforts of Richter and Fuji.

Cover photo: Portfolio