Daiichi Sankyo receives Japan’s Prime Minister’s Award for EZHARMIA, a first-in-class dual EZH1/EZH2 cancer therapy developed in collaboration with University of Tokyo researchers.
Written By: Pharmacally Medical News Desk
Daiichi Sankyo has received the eighth Prime Minister’s Award under the Japan Medical Research and Development Grand Prize for developing EZHARMIA (valemetostat tosilate), a first-in-class cancer medicine that targets dual EZH1 and EZH2 epigenetic regulation. The company shared the honor with Dr. Makoto Yamagishi, Associate Professor at the Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, University of Tokyo, who played a key role in uncovering the biological mechanisms behind the therapy.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi presented the award, which recognizes one outstanding scientific contribution each year and seeks to strengthen global investment and public understanding of medical research. The 2025 recognition highlights a successful collaboration between industry, government, and academia in Japan.
Breakthrough in T-Cell Lymphoma Research
Dr. Yamagishi’s research demonstrated that abnormal epigenetic changes, particularly excessive histone methylation driven by the enzymes EZH1 and EZH2, contribute directly to the onset and progression of T-cell lymphomas. Building on these findings, Daiichi Sankyo developed EZHARMIA, the world’s first therapy designed to inhibit both EZH1 and EZH2.
EZHARMIA has received approval in Japan for the treatment of relapsed or refractory adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma and peripheral T-cell lymphoma. These cancers remain difficult to treat, and many patients relapse after standard therapies. By addressing the underlying epigenetic drivers of the disease, valemetostat offers a new mechanism and renewed hope for this patient group.
Researchers continue to evaluate the medicine globally, both as a single agent and in combination with other anticancer treatments across multiple tumor types.
Recognition of Long-Term Innovation
Hiroyuki Okuzawa, President and CEO of Daiichi Sankyo, described the award as a milestone for collaborative science. He stated that the partnership with Dr. Yamagishi ranged from understanding disease biology to delivering the first dual EZH1/EZH2 inhibitor to patients. He added that the company will continue to pursue similar collaborations to bring innovative medicines to people worldwide.
This marks the second time Daiichi Sankyo has received the Prime Minister’s Award. In 2023 the company earned recognition for its DXd antibody drug conjugate technology, which led to the global success of ENHERTU. Since then, another DXd ADC, DATROWAY, has gained approval, and several additional candidates remain in clinical development.
About EZHARMIA
Valemetostat tosilate is an oral small molecule discovered by Daiichi Sankyo. It selectively inhibits both EZH1 and EZH2, enzymes that regulate gene expression through histone modification. EZHARMIA (valemetostat tosilate) was first approved in Japan on 26 September 2022 by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATL). Since then, the approval has been expanded to include relapsed or refractory peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL) in June 2024. The drug is still investigational in other parts of the world.
The award underscores how targeted epigenetic therapy can change the treatment landscape for aggressive blood cancers. It also reflects Japan’s growing role in translating academic discoveries into real medicines that reach patients.
Reference
Daiichi Sankyo Receives Prime Minister’s Award for Japan Medical Research and Development Grand Prize, 19 January 2026, 20260119_E1.pdf
EZHARMIA® Approved in Japan as First Dual EZH1 and EZH2 Inhibitor Therapy for Patients with Peripheral T-Cell Lymphoma, 24 June 2024, https://www.daiichisankyo.com/files/news/pressrelease/pdf/202406/20240624_E2.pdf
EZHARMIA® Launched in Japan as First Dual EZH1 and EZH2 Inhibitor Therapy for Patients with Adult T-Cell Leukemia Lymphoma, 20 December 2022, https://www.daiichisankyo.com/files/news/pressrelease/pdf/202212/20221220_E.pdf