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Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. is a global healthcare company with the corporate philosophy: 'Otsuka-people creating new products for better health worldwide.' Otsuka researches, develops, manufactures and markets innovative and original products, QUICK FACTS
with a focus on pharmaceutical products for the treatment of diseases and nutraceutical products for the maintenance of everyday health. Head Office
In pharmaceuticals, Otsuka is a leading firm in the challenging area of mental health and also has research programs on several under-addressed diseases including tuberculosis, a significant global public health issue. These commitments illustrate Number of Employees
more powerfully than words how Otsuka is a “big venture” company at heart, applying a youthful spirit of creativity in everything it does. Otsuka is a wholly owned subsidiary of Otsuka Holdings Co., Ltd., the holding President
company for the Otsuka Group. The chairman Akihiko Otsuka is the third generation of Otsuka family members to lead the business, whose origins date from 1921. The Otsuka Group employs approximately 42,000 people globally and its products are Pharmaceutical Products
available in more than 80 countries worldwide. Consolidated sales were approximately €10 billion (USD 13 billion) for fiscal year 2012 (4/1/2012-3/31/2013). Otsuka Pharmaceutical invites you to visit its global website at RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT
Otsuka leverages its network of research institutes and facilities in and outside of Japan to conduct research and development on pharmaceutical and consumer Nutraceutical Products
The company enters untraveled paths and unopened scientific doors to develop pharmaceutical products that could only be imagined by Otsuka. As a result, in many cases we have achieved, or continue to strive for, first-in-class drugs in the areas of the central nervous system (CNS), oncology, cardiovascular, digestive and respiratory systems, infectious disease, ophthalmology and dermatology. The company is also making the most of its internal and external networks to pursue novel approaches to drug discovery, diagnostics and prevention. UNIQUE R&D PROGRAM
Examples of Otsuka’s unique drug development
Most antipsychotics to date have been based on suppression of dopamine. Otsuka took a new idea and, through trial and error, created ABILIFY, a partial agonist that instead controls the amount of dopamine produced. On another occasion, a professor at a local university spoke of the need for a diuretic that increases the excretion of free water only. This led to the creation of Samsca, which was released in Europe and the U.S. in 2009. Both are examples of research efforts to fulfill unmet medical needs. Special features of Otsuka’s R&D
The success of Mikelan, Meptin, Pletal, Mucosta and ABILIFY have all been
based on carbostyril. Rather than taking a standardized approach, Otsuka’s
research philosophy is to encourage in every way possible the creativity and
perseverance of researchers.
COMMITMENT TO TUBERCULOSIS
In line with its corporate philosophy, Otsuka’s drug research and development
UNMET NEEDS OF
efforts are focused on providing innovative products that improve health TB PATIENTS
worldwide. There are many kinds of health issues facing us today, but TB remains an insurmountable disease that affects millions of people around the world.1 The company’s philosophy is to address true unmet medical needs and Otsuka saw TB as a unique area of contribution, as no other companies were attempting to Otsuka has had a TB drug discovery program for over 30 years and has been a recognized leader in TB research through its commitment to the discovery and development of new compounds as well as the building of a clinical infrastructure within developing countries affected by the disease. Today, Otsuka is recognized as the top private funder of TB drug development in the world.2 emergence and transmission of drug resistant strains. Today it is The Otsuka MDR-TB clinical development program represents a major step forward for the TB community, where there is an urgent need for short, simple, easily tolerated regimens that are effective in patients who are resistant to current TB regimens. Continuing its commitment, Otsuka recently initiated an international Phase III clinical study, which has begun in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Peru, Philippines and South Africa. Enrollment recently began for a clinical program exploring the use of delamanid in pediatric MDR-TB and will evaluate the bioequivalence of a dispersible formulation for use with younger Furthering its TB commitment, in May 2011 Otsuka established Otsuka SA in Geneva, Switzerland, to serve as the central operations unit for developing and implementing public health policies and case management activities in connection with the company’s global TB program.3
SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
Otsuka’s social responsibility initiatives focus on the priorities of health, the environment and local communities. The company
disseminates useful health-related information by holding lectures and seminars to increase interest and understanding among
citizens around disease prevention and recovery. Otsuka also strives to promote healthy lifestyles, regularly holding events in
cooperation with local communities.
Otsuka endeavors to conduct all business activities with respect for the natural environment and local communities. The
company works hard to develop helpful new technologies; is engaged in continuous improvement activities; and is committed
to helping build low-carbon, recycling-oriented societies. This spirit also can be found in its product development. Otsuka
developed an eco-friendly bottle that is 30 percent lighter than previous styles, and applied this technology to its best-selling
sports drink, Pocari Sweat.
Otsuka has a long history of assisting local communities in crisis. Efforts include the establishment of the Otsuka Welfare
Clinic, which provides free medical support to refugees in Peshawar, Pakistan. In response to natural disasters, such as the
2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan, Otsuka promptly supplied needed health and nutrition products to people in affected
areas.
REFERENCES
WHO – Global Tuberculosis Report 2013. http://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/10665/91355/1/9789241564656_eng.pdf (Accessed 28 October 2013) Treatment Action Group (TAG) and Stop TB Partnership. 2013 Report on Tuberculosis Research Funding Trends, 2005-2012 Otsuka SA Press Release. Otsuka Pharmaceutical Establishes Subsidiary, Otsuka SA, to Facilitate Public Advocacy for the Company’s Global Tuberculosis Program. May 18, 2011

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