Belgium's genae sets up in Tokyo; Amgen-Astellas JV hiring ahead of evolocumab launch;

> Belgium-based CRO genae has opened shop in Tokyo aimed at expanding business in Asia across medical devices, biologics and therapy development, the company said in a release. Release

> Japan-focused joint venture Amgen Astellas Biopharma plans to ramp up sales hires ahead of the launch of anti-PCSK9 monoclonal antibody evolocumab and other products in the country, according to a press release. In March, the joint venture filed a new drug application for evolocumab and has a pipeline that includes osteoporosis and leukemia treatments. Release

> Kazuo Futagawa has been named as Health Policy Bureau director general of Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare effective at the start of October, placing him as the top civil servant in the ministry as part of a personnel and organizational reshuffle, a spokesman said. Yuji Kanda will succeed Futagawa as director general of the Pharmaceutical and Food Safety Bureau. That bureau was also renamed as the Pharmaceutical Safety and Environmental Health Bureau and under a new chief, Hideaki Nakagaki. Website

> U.S.-based Orexigen Therapeutics ($OREX) has submitted a New Drug Application for Contrave with South Korea's Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. The move is part of a pact with local firm Kwang Dong to market and distribute the anti-obesity drug if approved, according to a press release. Approval is expected during the second half of 2016. Release

> European regulators gave their counterparts in Japan a training session on orphan medicines led by Segundo Mariz of the European Medicine Agency's Committee for Orphan Medicinal Products. Mariz discussed topics from incentives to procedures, the Regulatory Affairs Professional Society said. Report

> WuXi NextCODE and Sidra Medical and Research Center announced this week they have formed a partnership to develop research and bioinformatics programs in Qatar for genomic research and drug development. Part of the program's goal is to develop data on the Qatari population and link it to a national electronic record system to develop personalized treatments. Release

> The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission announced this week that Bristol-Myers Squibb ($BMY) will pay a fine of $14.6 million to settle charges that its China joint venture bribed government healthcare providers to boost drug sales. Report