Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement with Seikagaku Corporation to co-develop and exclusively market Gel-One, Seikagaku’s investigational treatment for osteoarthritis, in Japan. This agreement follows initial discussions outlined in April 2025.
Under the terms, Ono acquires exclusive marketing and co-development rights for Gel-One in Japan and will pay Seikagaku tiered royalties over several years based on the product’s development and sales milestones.
Currently, three Phase III clinical trials are underway in Japan evaluating Gel-One’s efficacy and safety: one focusing on osteoarthritis of the knee, another on osteoarthritis of the hip, and a long-term safety study covering both joints. Both companies are committed to expediting these studies to secure regulatory approval for manufacturing and marketing as soon as possible.
This collaboration aims to bring a promising new treatment option to patients with osteoarthritis in Japan.