Tokyo based Chugai Pharmaceutical and Nippon Shinyaku have launched Gazyva (obinutuzumab), an anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody, as a treatment for follicular lymphoma in Japan.

The companies intend to work closely to make Gazyva contribute to the treatment of patients with CD20-positive follicular lymphoma as one of the standard therapies.

Chugai, which is majority-owned by Swiss pharma giant Roche, obtained a manufacturing and marketing approval in early July.

The product is supported by strong efficacy data from the Phase lll GALLIUM study.