Business Overview
Therapeutic drugs
Clinical nutrition
Diagnostics
Medical devices
Bulk pharmaceuticals
and intermediates
Revenue¥1,629.0 billion*
Business profit¥390.6 billion
*Revenue includes intersegment revenue and transfers
The Otsuka group is focusing on the priority fields of psychiatry and neurology, oncology, cardiovascular and renal, and specialty autoimmune area based on the topic of “unmet medical needs.” In addition, we provide comprehensive healthcare services that extend from diagnosis to treatment through initiatives in a wide range of areas and businesses, including diagnostics, clinical nutrition, and the medical device business.
Initiatives in the Pharmaceutical Business
Psychiatry and Neurology
Committed to advancing well-being across individuals and society as a whole.
The causes and mechanisms of diseases in this field are not fully understood, which makes the discovery of new drugs extremely difficult. Hence, many psychiatric and neurological disorders are still left without an established satisfactory treatment. The expected increase in dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease as the world population ages is a pressing social issue. The agitation* due to this disease affects not just the quality of life of individuals living with dementia; it also places a strain on family members and caregivers.
We have a portfolio of development assets and products with high potential for psychiatric and neurological disorders such as schizophrenia, major depressive disorder, and other disorders. For example, we obtained an approval for agitation associated with dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease. Furthermore, we are currently advancing the clinical development of a treatment for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and major depressive disorder. An antipsychotic treatment with a novel mechanism of action is being also developed for schizophrenia, major depressive disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder, and clinical trials for each are currently underway. We will continue our efforts to provide useful treatment options for the many patients, families, and caregivers who are dealing with psychiatric and neurological disorders.
* A state that impedes either a patient’s daily life, social life, or human relations and is indicated by either increased activity, such as wandering or repetitive actions, whether aggressive or non-aggressive, or aggressive speech or behavior
Oncology
Driving innovation through global collaboration and world-class drug discovery platform
Otsuka group’s proprietary drug discovery platform technologies, including biochemical modulation drug discovery,1 which Taiho Pharmaceuticals has long been working on, Cysteinomix Drug Discovery,2 which is distinguished by specific covalent modification of therapeutic targets, and Astex Pharmaceuticals’ fragment drug discovery,3 support the creation of a broad product portfolio.
Furthermore, through investments in corporate venture capital and open innovation funds, we are building networks with promising biotech startups and academic institutions both inside and outside Japan, thereby gaining access to unique and innovative technologies and early-stage drug discovery assets that we do not have in-house. We are committed to contributing to the health and well-being of patients around the world by creating innovation through in-house drug discovery and various collaborations, and by taking on the challenge of researching and developing innovative new drugs.
1. Drug discovery aimed at enhancing anti-tumor effects and reducing toxicity to normal cells by adding other drugs (modulators) to alter the pharmacokinetics of anti-cancer drugs.
2. A unique drug-discovery platform technology, which allows for the formation of strong bonds and high target selectivity by covalently binding drugs to the specific cysteine residues of therapeutic target proteins.
3. Technology to create new compounds through molecular design. It clarifies interactions between small-molecular fragments showing pharmacological activity that cannot be measured in high-throughput screening, and large molecule proteins with complicated 3D structures that have been implicated in diseases and are potential drug targets.
Expanding from Renal to Specialty Autoimmune Area
Developing first-in-class products for diseases that lead to renal failure
In the renal area, we are not only reinforcing in-house drug discovery but also making strategic investments to drive growth, including acquiring Visterra Inc., which has a strong pipeline in the area. We are working to address diseases that cause renal failure, which significantly impact patients’ quality of life, with a drug for the treatment of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD), and a drug for the treatment of lupus nephritis and a pipeline for the treatment for IgA nephropathy.
Advancing highly specialized disease areas, including rare diseases, through new drug discovery technologies
Otsuka Pharmaceutical is leveraging its expertise accumulated through the development and marketing of the ADPKD treatment drug, as well as the incorporation of new drug discovery technologies, to address underserved specialty autoimmune area with limited treatment options.
New Approaches to Treatment and Support
Initiatives aimed at addressing emerging social issues that extend beyond the realm of traditional medication
The Otsuka group aims to deliver total healthcare in a broad sense by providing products that support all phases of people’s healthcare. Furthermore, we seek to broaden our perspective to encompass society as a whole, with the goal of addressing social issues related to healthcare. As a total healthcare company, we are committed to enhancing not only individual health but also the well-being of society as a whole through our distinctive products and services. We are actively working to address the diverse unmet needs of society—not only through traditional medications, but also through medical devices, digital therapeutics, virtual reality technologies, and other healthcare-supporting digital tools, as well as employment support for cancer patients.
R&D Pipeline
An overview of the Otsuka group's R&D pipeline.
Major R&D Sites
The Otsuka group has built a network of R&D sites worldwide, developing a global structure for the research and development of innovative new products to aid in the treatment of diseases and support day-to-day health.
Tokushima Research Institute
(10th Research Center),
Otsuka Pharmaceutical
Tokushima Research Institute
(Hi-z Tower),
Otsuka Pharmaceutical
Osaka Research Center
for Drug Discovery
Tsukuba Research Institute