Pharmaceutical Business
Japan
Information Provision Activities
New drugs are delivered to patients after passing a long process that includes basic
research, clinical studies and review by the government for regulatory approvals. Even after drug products are
launched and used by a large number of patients, safety and efficacy are continually checked resulting in safe
and secure, useful pharmaceuticals. It is only after proper usage has been established based on safety and
efficacy information that the pharmaceuticals can fulfill their desired function of contributing effectively
to human health requirements.
At Sumitomo Pharma, we collect and share safety information and provide the
requisite and specialized information to medical professionals via our MRs (Medical Representatives) and
multiple media outlets. Our aim is to earn greater confidence among medical professionals and to contribute to
the betterment of healthcare and fuller lives of patients through daily information provision activities.
Focus Areas for the Japan Business
In Japan, we collect and provide professional information primarily in the Psychiatry
& Neurology, Diabetes, and Rare diseases areas.
In the Psychiatry & Neurology area, we have
therapeutic drugs for Parkinson's disease and schizophrenia and we aim to contribute to the treatment of
psychiatric and neurological diseases as a medical partner.
In the Diabetes area, we offer several drugs
with different mechanisms of action and respond to a wide range of medical needs.
Product Lineup
| Major Pharmaceutical Products | Therapeutic Indication |
|---|---|
| TRERIEF® | Therapeutic agent for Parkinson's disease |
| LATUDA® | Atypical antipsychotic |
| LONASEN® Tape | Atypical antipsychotic |
| XEPLION® | long-acting antipsychotic medication |
| XEPLION TRI® | Tlong-acting antipsychotic medication |
| Equa® | Therapeutic agent for type 2 Diabetes |
| EquMet® | Therapeutic agent for type 2 Diabetes |
| METGLUCO® | Therapeutic agent for type 2 Diabetes |
| TWYMEEG® | Therapeutic agent for type 2 Diabetes |
| Agalsidase Beta BS I.V. Infusion [JCR] | Therapeutic agent for Fabry disease |
| IZCARGO® | Recombinant Therapeutic for Mucopolysaccharidosis Type II |
Research and Development
With a focus on the Psychiatry & Neurology and Oncology disease areas, where unmet medical needs are high, the Sumitomo Pharma Group will make the utmost of the experience and knowledge that we have acquired so far to continue making active efforts for research and development of pharmaceuticals, regenerative medicine/cell therapy, non-pharmaceutical products, and otherwise. In other areas, too, we will tap into assets at hand and make steady R&D efforts to deliver solid value to patients.
Psychiatry and Neurology
We promote competitive drug discovery research based on our proprietary drug discovery
platform, which we have built up by incorporating cutting-edge technologies. In the area of psychiatric
disorders, including schizophrenia, depression, and peripheral symptoms of neurological disorders, we aim to
create breakthrough therapeutic drugs that satisfy unmet medical needs through drug discovery based on neural
circuit pathology. In the area of neurological disorders, including dementia, Parkinson’s disease, and rare
diseases, we aim to create disease modifying therapies for neurodegenerative diseases by focusing on abnormal
cell functions. We also use insights gained from clinical data of products and development assets in
translational research to select appropriate drug discovery targets and biomarkers from big data, such as
genome information, EEG, and imaging, thereby improving the probability of R&D success.
In FY2017, we
introduced a new Research Project System, under which researchers who have devised project themes take the
lead in their projects up to the initial clinical development stage as a general rule.
Oncology
Through our R&D activities to date, we have gained a variety of knowledge,
strengthened our drug discovery capabilities, and created multiple development pipelines with distinctive
features. Making use of these achievements, we continue to focus on research and development in the area of
oncology, where there are high unmet medical needs.
In drug discovery, we aim to create innovative new
drugs by enhancing our competitiveness through the development of modalities using our new technologies as
well as initiatives, such as joint research with academia.
In the development stage, we aim to improve
the probability of success by carefully evaluating data from short-term, small-scale studies to identify
optimum cancer types and product value for multiple development pipelines undergoing initial clinical
evaluation. In particular, we are concentrating our resources on nuvisertib (TP-3654) and enzomenib
(DSP-5336), aiming for obtaining early approval and maximizing their value.
Other Areas
We tap into assets at hand and make steady R&D efforts to deliver solid value to patients.
- To contribute to global health and pandemic preparedness, we are promoting research and development of a universal influenza vaccine and a drug for antimicrobial resistant bacterial infections.
Non-pharmaceutical modalities
Regenerative medicine / Cell therapy
The regenerative medicine/cell therapy business aims to provide new value that can only be created through regenerative medicine by utilizing our strengths in networking through open innovation with academia, startup companies, and other industries; accumulated technologies for the practical application of iPS cells, as represented by the differentiation induction technology from pluripotent stem cells; and abundant manufacturing capabilities and manufacturing methods, infrastructure, and human resources related to cell production. Specifically, we will expand our therapeutic areas from the central nervous system and ophthalmology fields to peripheral organs, expand into overseas markets with Japan as a foothold, and transition from supplying single cells to supplying 3D tissues and organs.
Pharmaceuticals Production
We have built a stable supply structure for our products, which are manufactured mainly at our own plants in Japan and also in collaboration with partners in Japan and other countries. Our plants have worked hard to increase the precision of their production plans by strengthening collaboration with the Sales & Marketing Division, the Business Development & Management, overseas subsidiaries, and business partners. We have also made proactive efforts such as double sourcing of active pharmaceutical ingredients and optimizing the supply chains regarding the formulation and packaging of products. To further strengthen our competitiveness, we continuously work on cost reduction activities, as well as actively striving to increase productivity in our plants, such as by reducing lead times.
Suzuka Plant
The Suzuka Plant is Sumitomo Pharma's core formulation plant, equipped with integrated pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities capable of a full range of operations from the production of active pharmaceutical ingredients to the formulation and packaging of products. It includes a state-of-the-art solid dosage formulation facility fully compliant with cGMP (the latest U.S. GMP) and supplies products globally.
Oita Plant
The Oita Plant is Sumitomo Pharma's principal facility for the production of active pharmaceutical ingredients and its equipment is cGMP-compliant. It operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to ensure stable production of active pharmaceutical ingredients.
USA
Sumitomo Pharma America, Inc. is engaged in R&D, manufacturing and sales
of
pharmaceuticals.
Sumitomo Pharma America, Inc. launched in July 2023, through consolidation the functions
and human resources of seven U.S. group companies, Sunovion Pharmaceuticals Inc., Sumitomo Pharma America
Holdings, Inc., Sumitomo Pharma Oncology, Inc., Sumitovant Biopharma, Inc., Myovant Sciences, Inc., Urovant
Sciences, Inc., and Enzyvant Therapeutics, Inc.
Sumitomo Pharma America, Inc. Product Lineup
| Major Pharmaceutical Products | Therapeutic Indication |
|---|---|
| ORGOVYX® | Therapeutic agent for advanced prostate cancer |
| MYFEMBREE® | Therapeutic agent for uterine fibroids and endometriosis |
| GEMTESA® | Therapeutic agent for overactive bladder (OAB) |
| APTIOM® | Antiepileptic |
| RETHYMIC® | Cultured thymus tissue for pediatric congenital athymia |
China
Sumitomo Pharma (Suzhou)Co., Ltd. is engaged in manufacturing (subdivided packaging) and sales of pharmaceuticals.
Sumitomo Pharma (Suzhou)Co., Ltd. Product Lineup
| Major Pharmaceutical Products | Therapeutic Indication |
|---|---|
| MEPEM® (Brand name in Japan: MEROPEN®) | Carbapenem antibiotic |
| ALMARL® (Brand name in Japan: Arotinolol Hydrochloride) | Therapeutic agent for hypertension, angina pectoris and arrhythmia |
| LONASEN® | Atypical antipsychotic |
| LATUDA® | Atypical antipsychotic |