JCR Pharmaceuticals Begins Phase III Trial of JR-142 Growth Hormone in Japan

On December 20, 2024, JCR Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd., based in HYOGO, Japan, announced a pivotal moment in the advancement of growth hormone therapy with the initiation of a Phase III clinical trial for JR-142 (redalsomatropin alfa) in Japan. This trial represents a significant step forward in the development of this novel, long-acting treatment for children suffering from growth hormone deficiency.

The clinical trial is set to involve 54 pediatric patients and is designed to assess the efficacy of JR-142 by comparing it to JCR’s existing growth hormone product, Growject®. The study will span a 52-week period, during which the primary focus will be on evaluating growth outcomes as the main indicator of the treatment's success. Further details regarding this clinical trial can be accessed through the Japan Register of Clinical Trials under the identifier jRCT2031240282.

Professor Noriyuki Namba, a leading expert in pediatrics and perinatology at Tottori University Faculty of Medicine, expressed great enthusiasm regarding the progress of the study. He emphasized the potential impact of JR-142 as a long-acting therapy which could shift the current paradigm of growth hormone treatment by potentially reducing the frequency of injections to once a week. This innovation could alleviate the treatment burden on young patients and their families, making the therapy more convenient while ensuring high safety standards are maintained.

JCR Pharmaceuticals continues to demonstrate its commitment to the field of growth hormone therapies, dedicated to supplying high-quality pharmaceuticals and broadening treatment options to cater to various patient needs. The company's well-established product, Growject®, which has been available since 1995, requires frequent administration—typically 6 to 7 times a week—depending on the condition being treated.

As a global leader in specialty pharmaceuticals, JCR Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd. has been enhancing treatment possibilities for individuals with rare and genetic disorders worldwide. With nearly five decades of experience in Japan, JCR is extending its reach across the United States, Europe, and Latin America. The company is dedicated to enhancing patient lives by leveraging its scientific knowledge and innovative technologies to develop and deliver cutting-edge therapies. Among JCR’s approved treatments in Japan are those for addressing growth disorders, MPS II (Hunter syndrome), Fabry disease, acute graft-versus-host disease, and renal anemia. The company’s investigational projects target a variety of rare conditions, including MPS I, MPS IIIA and B, among others.

JCR Pharmaceuticals aims to expand the scope of possibilities for patients while driving medical progress on a global scale. The company’s core values—reliability, confidence, and belief—are reflected in its commitment to benefiting patients, partners, and employees alike.