News

Osaka (Japan), October 9, 2025 - Maruho Co., Ltd. ("Maruho", Head Office: Osaka, Japan, President and CEO: Atsushi Sugita) announces that it has concluded a licensing agreement with Hyphens Pharma Pte. Ltd., a subsidiary of Hyphens Pharma International Limited ("Hyphens", Head Office: Singapore, Chairman, Executive Director and CEO: Lim See Wah) under which Maruho will out-license to Hyphens the rights to commercialize an in vitro diagnostic (varicella-zoster virus antigen kit), manufactured and marketed in Japan by Maruho, hereinafter referred to as "the product", in 10 ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations)^*1 countries.

Under this agreement, Maruho will grant Hyphens the exclusive rights to commercialize the product in the 10 ASEAN nations. Hyphens will proceed with necessary development activities, aiming to bring the product to the market.

The product is a Varicella-Zoster Virus (VZV) antigen kit that uses the immunochromatography method^*2 as the principle of measurement. From a sample of skin rash, or a swab of a sore/ulcer fluid, it is possible to detect VZV antigens conveniently and rapidly in 5 to 10 minutes. In June 2017, Maruho received manufacturing and marketing approval for the product in Japan and subsequently launched the product in January 2018 under the product name "DermaQuick^® VZV".

In June 2024, Maruho granted Hyphens an exclusive license to develop and market the anti-herpes virus agent amenamevir (JNN/INN). In ASEAN, the options for diagnosing and treating herpes zoster (shingles) are limited, and the out-licensing of these two products meets the unmet needs of such patients.
Maruho, with its new overseas business strategy "Asian Dermatology Hub Concept", is promoting business development in Asian countries and regions^*3. This agreement is one of the efforts towards realizing its business expansion in Asia.

Specializing in dermatology, Maruho will collaborate with Hyphens to contribute to the smiles of patients suffering from herpes zoster (shingles).

Note
The information contained in this news release in regard to pharmaceutical and developmental products is not intended for the purpose of promotion, advertising or medical advice.

(*1) Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Vietnam, Brunei, Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos
(*2) A rapid testing method that utilizes capillary action and antigen-antibody reactions.
(*3) Since October 2023, as part of its Fifth Medium-Term Plan, Maruho has been focusing on "Taking a new step in global expansion" as one of its priority themes.

[References]
Maruho and Hyphens Pharma Announce Exclusive License Agreement for Anti-herpes Virus Agent (INN: Amenamevir) in 10 ASEAN Countries (2024/06/05)
https://www.maruho.co.jp/english/information/20240605.html
Maruho Launches In Vitro Diagnostic "DermaQuick^® VZV" (2018/12/02)
https://www.maruho.co.jp/english/information/2018012202.html

About Hyphens Pharma International LimitedHyphens Pharma International Limited and its subsidiaries (the "Group") is Singapore's leading specialty pharmaceutical and consumer healthcare group, leveraging its diverse footprint in ASEAN countries. The Group has a direct presence in Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines, and is supplemented by a marketing and distribution network covering 15 other markets - Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, Hong Kong S.A.R., Macau S.A.R., Myanmar, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Gulf Cooperation Council countries, including Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates.
The Group is headquartered in Singapore, where its strategic planning, finance, regulatory affairs, research and development, legal, business development and logistics operations are based. The Group's core business comprises the following segments: Specialty Pharma Principals, Proprietary Brands, and Medical Hypermart & Digital. Besides marketing and selling a range of specialty pharmaceutical products in selected ASEAN countries through exclusive distributorship or licensing and supply agreements with brand principals, the Group also develops, markets and sells its own proprietary range of dermatological products and health supplement products. Additionally, the Group operates a medical hypermart catering to healthcare providers and retail pharmacies, as well as an e-pharmacy that allows doctors to prescribe medications for home delivery to their patients.
For more information, please visit https://www.hyphensgroup.com/

About MaruhoMaruho Co., Ltd. has its head office in Osaka and leads Japan in research and development, manufacturing and commercialization of dermatological products. Founded in 1915, Maruho has 1,620 employees (as of the end of September 2024), and net sales were approximately 86.99 billion yen in its fiscal year ended September 30, 2024. With the mission "More smiles, brighter life for you.", Maruho aims to help realize a society where everyone can live with a smile.
For more information, please visit www.maruho.co.jp/english/