Otsuka Acquires Asia-Pacific Rights to 4D Molecular Therapeutics' Retinal Gene Therapy 4D-150 for $85 Million

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Otsuka Pharmaceutical has secured exclusive rights to develop and commercialize 4D Molecular Therapeutics' (4DMT) retinal gene therapy candidate, 4D-150, across the greater Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, including Japan, China, and Australia1357.

The agreement grants Otsuka rights to 4D-150 for treatment of retinal vascular diseases, specifically wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and diabetic macular edema (DME)135.

The upfront financial consideration is $85 million, as part of a broader partnership structure7.

4DMT will retain all rights to 4D-150 outside APAC—including in the United States, Europe, and Latin America13.

Otsuka will lead regulatory and commercialization activities in APAC, while 4DMT will continue to lead all global phase 3 clinical activities, including those in APAC13.

Enrollment for APAC clinical sites in the global phase 3 study (4FRONT-2) for wet AMD is planned by the end of 2025, with Japan sites launching in early 202613.

The partnership leverages 4DMT’s expertise in adeno-associated virus (AAV)-based gene therapy and retinal disease development with Otsuka’s regulatory and commercial infrastructure in APAC13.

4D-150 is described as a potentially transformative, durable therapy targeting retinal vascular diseases — two of the leading causes of blindness worldwide3.

Sources:

1. https://eyewire.news/news/4dmt-and-otsuka-announce-strategic-partnership-to-advance-4d-150-gene-therapy-across-asia-pacific

3. https://drug-dev.com/4dmt-announces-exclusive-license-agreement-with-otsuka-pharmaceutical-for-development-commercialization-of-4d-150-in-asia-pacific/

5. https://www.otsuka.co.jp/en/company/newsreleases/2025/20251031_1.html

7. https://trial.medpath.com/news/df528b4c037c52db/4dmt-secures-85-million-upfront-in-strategic-partnership-with-otsuka-for-gene-therapy-4d-150-in-asia-pacific