Solasia Pharma
Solasia Pharma K.K. is a Tokyo-based specialty pharmaceutical company that in-licenses oncology and supportive-care drug candidates, develops them through clinical and regulatory stages, and commercializes them in Asia and select South American markets through exclusive regional partners.
- Company typePublic
- Founded2006
- HeadquartersShanghai, China
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Solasia Pharma does
Solasia Pharma K.K. (TSE Growth: 4597) is a Tokyo-headquartered specialty pharmaceutical company founded in 2006 that in-licenses oncology and oncology-supportive-care drug candidates and advances them through clinical development and regulatory approval for commercialization in Japan, China, Korea, and select other Asian and South American markets. The commercial portfolio comprises three assets: episil oral liquid, a FluidCrystal-licensed medical device for oral mucositis pain relief; DARVIAS (darinaparsin), an organoarsenic antineoplastic agent approved in Japan for relapsed/refractory peripheral T-cell lymphoma with orphan designation in the US and Europe; and Sancuso, a transdermal granisetron patch for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting launched in China in 2019. The development pipeline includes SP-04 (PledOx) for chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy in nonclinical stage and SP-05 (arfolitixorin) for colorectal cancer with development resumed in March 2024, alongside early-stage nucleic-acid (RECQL1-siRNA) and RNA-editing (PPR platform with EditForce) research collaborations.
The business operates on an in-licensing model: Solasia acquires regional or worldwide development and commercialization rights from originator biotech firms (Camurus, Isofol, PledPharma/Egetis, Alaunos, GeneCare, EditForce), runs clinical development and NDA programs, and then commercializes the assets through exclusive regional partners—Meiji Seika Pharma and Nippon Kayaku in Japan, Lee's Pharmaceutical and Changchun GeneScience in China, Synex in Korea, Maruho in Japan for SP-04, HB Human BioScience across much of Latin America, Daiichi Sankyo Brasil in Brazil, and MAAB Pharma in greater China for Sancuso. Revenue is generated through product sales, signing/contract upfront fees, development and commercial milestone payments from licensees, and ongoing royalties on partner sales.
With a headcount of approximately 27 employees (21 in Japan and 6 in China via its wholly-owned Shanghai subsidiary, Solasia Medical Information Consulting (Shanghai) Co. Ltd.), the company positions itself as a small, focused team addressing unmet needs in oncology and cancer supportive care across Asia. Operating losses have been persistent, reflecting sustained investment in clinical development and pipeline expansion, and the company continues to broaden its commercial footprint through new regional partnerships and incremental product launches.
Solasia Pharma firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Solasia Pharma
- Legal name
- Solasia Pharma K.K.
- Website
- https://solasia.co.jp
- Company type
- Public
- Founded year
- 2006
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Solasia Pharma K.K. is a Tokyo-based specialty pharmaceutical company that in-licenses oncology and supportive-care drug candidates, develops them through clinical and regulatory stages, and commercializes them in Asia and select South American markets through exclusive regional partners.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Solasia Pharma industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Specialty Oncology Pharmaceuticals
- NAICS
- Pharmaceutical Preparation Manufacturing (325412), Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing (32541)
- SIC
- Pharmaceutical Preparations (2834)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Primary Care & General Medicine Pharmaceuticals (HLAIAAAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Pain Management & Anesthesiology Pharmaceuticals (HLAIAAAN), Gastroenterology Specialty Pharmaceuticals (HLAIACAE)
Keywords
Where Solasia Pharma is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Shanghai
- HQ country
- China
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices3 records
Markets served
Solasia Pharma business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Operations
Revenue model
- Product Sales: Direct revenue from sales of commercialized pharmaceutical products and medical devices including episil oral liquid, DARVIAS injection, and Sancuso in respective markets (Japan, China, Korea).
- Signing Fee / Contract Upfront: One-time payments received when out-licensing agreements are signed with regional partners for commercialization rights in specific territories.
- Development Milestones: One-time payments triggered by achievement of specific development milestones such as clinical trial phases, regulatory submissions, and approvals.
- Commercial Milestones: One-time payments when licensees achieve certain predefined product sales targets in their respective territories.
- Royalties: Ongoing royalty payments based on product sales revenue generated by licensees in their respective territories.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels4 records
Solasia Pharma product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Solasia Pharma is a specialty pharmaceutical company that in-licenses oncology drug candidates and medical devices, advances them through clinical development and regulatory approval in Asia, and commercializes them through regional distribution partners. Its commercial portfolio includes episil oral liquid (a Camurus FluidCrystal-based medical device for oral mucositis pain), DARVIAS injection (darinaparsin for relapsed/refractory PTCL), and Sancuso (a transdermal granisetron patch for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting).
Product overview
Solasia Pharma is a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on oncology, offering a portfolio of commercialized pharmaceutical products and medical devices, along with a pipeline of development-stage candidates. Commercial products include: (1) episil® oral liquid - a medical device for oral mucositis pain relief; (2) DARVIAS® Injection 135mg - a prescription drug for peripheral T-cell lymphoma; and (3) Sancuso® - a transdermal patch for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. The pipeline includes SP-04 for chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy and SP-05 for colorectal cancer. The company also has early-stage research projects including a RECQL1-siRNA nucleic acid drug candidate and an RNA editing technology project. Products are commercialized through regional partners including Meiji Seika Pharma (Japan), Lee's Pharm (China), Synex (Korea), and Nippon Kayaku (Japan for DARVIAS).
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- DARVIAS: Antineoplastic agent for relapsed or refractory peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL). Generic name: Darinaparsin.
- episil
- Sancuso
Products and services
- episil oral liquid (SP-03) A non-absorptive liquid medical device that forms a protective film on oral mucosa within minutes to provide approximately 8 hours of pain relief for oral mucositis caused by chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Developed using Camurus's proprietary FluidCrystal technology. Sold to hospitals and oncology centers via regional commercialization partners (Meiji Seika in Japan, Synex in South Korea, Changchun GeneScience in China).
- DARVIAS Injection 135mg (SP-02) An antineoplastic agent containing darinaparsin, an organoarsenic compound with anticancer activity, indicated for relapsed or refractory peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL). Works by disrupting mitochondrial function, increasing reactive oxygen species production, and inducing cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Has received orphan drug designation in the US and Europe for PTCL. Sold to hematology/oncology specialists and hospitals via Nippon Kayaku in Japan and HB Human BioScience in South America.
- Sancuso (SP-01)
Quantifiable outcome
- episil provides pain relief lasting approximately 8 hours after single application
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Solasia Pharma
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Solasia Pharma technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Solasia Pharma partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
16 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and strategic.
- Camurus ABcoreSolasia acquired the episil oral liquid business worldwide from Camurus on July 8, 2022, obtaining assets and licensing rights to develop, manufacture, and commercialize the product globally. Transition includes assistance period from Camurus until May 2024.
- Meiji Seika Pharma Co., Ltd.coreExclusive commercialization and promotion partner for episil oral liquid in Japan. Product approved July 2017, launched May 2018.
- Lee's Pharmaceutical (HK) LimitedcoreSales promotion partner for Sancuso in China. Holds exclusive sales rights for China (excluding Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan). Product approved July 2018, launched March 2019.
- SynexcoreExclusive commercialization partner for episil oral liquid in South Korea. Product approved October 2019, launched September 2020.
- Nippon Kayaku Co., Ltd.coreCommercialization and promotion partner for DARVIAS injection 135mg in Japan. Product approved June 2022, launched August 2022.
- HB Human BioScience SASmajorExclusive license for darinaparsin (SP-02) in South America (Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, Venezuela, Chile, Panama, Costa Rica, Guatemala). Colombia and Peru NDA filings completed based on Japan approval.
- Alaunos Therapeutics (formerly ZIOPHARM Oncology)coreSolasia acquired worldwide rights to darinaparsin (SP-02) from Alaunos Therapeutics. Original Asia-Pacific rights obtained March 2011, expanded to global rights July 2014.
- Isofol Medical ABmajorSolasia acquired exclusive development and commercialization rights for arfolitixorin (SP-05) in Japan from Isofol Medical AB in August 2020. Phase III trial ended November 2022 (primary endpoints not met), development resumed March 2024.
- PledPharma AB (now Egetis Therapeutics AB)majorSolasia acquired exclusive development and commercialization rights for PledOx (SP-04) for Japan, China (including Hong Kong, Macau), South Korea, and Taiwan in November 2017. Partner Maruho for Japan commercialization.
- Maruho Co., Ltd.coreExclusive commercialization partner for PledOx (SP-04) in Japan for chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN). License agreement signed December 2019.
- GeneCare Research Institute Co., Ltd.strategicOption agreement for worldwide rights to RECQL1-siRNA, a nucleic acid drug candidate for peritoneal metastases. Development targeting various gastrointestinal cancers and ovarian cancer.
- EditForce Inc.strategicJoint R&D agreement for new drug candidates based on RNA editing technology using PPR (pentatricopeptide repeat) protein platform. Focus on rare diseases and oncology applications.
- Changchun GeneScience Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.majorSales activities for episil oral liquid in China since March 2025. License agreement December 2024 for exclusive commercialization rights in China.
- Kyowa Kirin Services Limited (formerly Strakan/ProStrakan)coreOriginal licensor for Sancuso (SP-01) rights from Strakan International Ltd. (now Kyowa Kirin Services Limited) in May 2008 for Japan, China, and Asian territories. Rights for China region transferred to Kyowa Kirin International UK NewCo Limited in February 2024.
- MAAB Pharma LimitedmajorLicense agreement January 2026 for exclusive sales rights for Sancuso in China region (mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan).
- Daiichi Sankyo Brasil Farmaceutica Ltda.majorExclusive commercialization rights for episil in Brazil. License agreement August 2025 with Daiichi Sankyo's 100% subsidiary.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves9 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Solasia Pharma competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- Camurus AB: Swedish specialty pharma developing products based on FluidCrystal technology. Solasia in-licensed and ultimately acquired worldwide rights to episil oral liquid from Camurus in July 2022. Strong technology and partnership overlap.
- Isofol Medical AB: Swedish biotech that developed arfolitixorin (SP-05), the very compound Solasia in-licensed for Japan. Direct counterparty in the partnership, focused on folate-based oncology therapeutics. Same molecule, different geography.
Direct peers
- Sosei Group / Nxera Pharma: Japanese specialty pharma that grows through in-licensing and acquisitions of development-stage drug candidates. Solasia's CFO previously held VP Corporate Planning role at Sosei. Strong business model comparability in-licensing-driven growth.
- Zeria Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. Japanese specialty pharmaceutical company that develops and markets prescription drugs with focus on gastroenterology, oncology supportive care, and rare diseases. Similar specialty-pharma positioning in Japan with comparable pipeline depth and partner-driven commercialization strategy.
- AnGes, Inc. Japanese specialty biotech/pharma developing gene therapies and innovative treatments. Listed on TSE Growth market similar to Solasia. Comparable as Japan-listed specialty pharma with small capitalization and development-stage pipeline.
- Mochida Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. Mid-cap Japanese specialty pharma with focus on specialty therapeutic areas including oncology and rare diseases. Comparable in scale, product portfolio breadth, and Japan-domestic commercialization model.
- Oncolys BioPharma Inc. Japanese specialty biotech focused on oncology and infectious disease therapeutics. Solasia's Head of Marketing previously held senior positions at Oncolys. Comparable as small Japan-based specialty company with oncology therapeutic focus.
- J-Pharma Co., Ltd. Japanese specialty pharma with similar small-team in-licensing model focused on developing innovative therapeutics. Solasia's former CFO Toshio Miyashita served as J-Pharma's CFO before joining Solasia. Compares on business model (asset-light in-licensing, oncology focus) and geographic footprint (Japan/Asia).
Broad incumbents
- Taiho Pharmaceutical: Major Japanese oncology-focused pharmaceutical company (Otsuka subsidiary) that develops and markets chemotherapy agents, supportive-care drugs, and oral mucositis treatments. Comparable in oncology specialization and Japan-Asia commercial reach, but at much larger scale than Solasia.
Regional players
- Lee's Pharmaceutical Holdings: Hong Kong-listed specialty pharma operating primarily in Greater China. Solasia's commercialization partner for Sancuso across China and Asia. Both focus on specialty therapeutics distribution in Asia with partner-driven models.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Solasia Pharma social profiles
Digital presenceSolasia Pharma financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Solasia Pharma leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles16 records
Solasia Pharma subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Solasia Pharma funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds9 records
Investors9 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Solasia Pharma M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A1 record
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Solasia Pharma
What does Solasia Pharma do?
Solasia Pharma is a specialty pharmaceutical company that in-licenses oncology drug candidates and medical devices, advances them through clinical development and regulatory approval in Asia, and commercializes them through regional distribution partners. Its commercial portfolio includes episil oral liquid (a Camurus FluidCrystal-based medical device for oral mucositis pain), DARVIAS injection (darinaparsin for relapsed/refractory PTCL), and Sancuso (a transdermal granisetron patch for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting).
Is Solasia Pharma a public or private company?
Solasia Pharma is a public company. It is classified as public and is currently operating.
When was Solasia Pharma founded?
Solasia Pharma was founded in 2006. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Solasia Pharma based?
Solasia Pharma is headquartered in Shanghai, China, in the Asia region.
How does Solasia Pharma make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Product Sales are the primary driver. The others are signing Fee / Contract Upfront, development Milestones, commercial Milestones and royalties.
Who are Solasia Pharma's main competitors?
Emerging players on record are Camurus AB and Isofol Medical AB. Direct peers are Sosei Group / Nxera Pharma, Zeria Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., AnGes, Inc., Mochida Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Oncolys BioPharma Inc. and J-Pharma Co., Ltd.. Taiho Pharmaceutical is listed as a broad incumbent. Lee's Pharmaceutical Holdings is listed as a regional player.
Does Solasia Pharma have an API?
No public API is recorded for Solasia Pharma.
What industry is Solasia Pharma in?
Solasia Pharma's product category is Specialty Oncology Pharmaceuticals. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAIAAAA, Primary Care & General Medicine Pharmaceuticals, with a secondary code of HLAIAAAN, Pain Management & Anesthesiology Pharmaceuticals. Its NAICS code is 325412 and its SIC code is 2834.