Kyowa Hakko Kirin Co., Ltd is a Japanese-based, global specialty pharmaceutical company that manufactures and markets medical products and pharmaceuticals, in the core therapeutic areas of oncology, nephrology and immunology predominantly. In 2008, Kyowa Hakko merged with Kirin Pharma to form Kyowa Hakko Kirin Co., Ltd. In 2008 its biochemical business Kyowa Hakko Bio Co., Ltd was established. The company employs 7,256 people globally (figure correct as of March 31st 2009).

In 1949, Kyowa Hakko Kogyo Ltd, a secondary company of Kyowa Sangyo Co., Ltd, was established, as part of industrial readjustment plans. In 1951, Kyowa Hakko introduced the production of the technology of Streptomycin, an anti-tubercular drug, from US pharmaceutical company Merck & Co., Inc. and succeeded in its mass production. This contributed to the eradication of tuberculosis in Japan.

The Kirin Brewery Co., Ltd was established in 1907. Although post-war demand for beer was high, it was decided that this was not a sustainable business model, and as such, the company moved into the life sciences market. By 1981, the company had devised its long term vision for the pharmaceuticals business; in 1982 they established a new R&D division, and in 1984, Kirin-Amgen, Inc. was established. Throughout the last 20 years, the company continued to expand and launch many new pharmaceutical products.

Products include

Kyowa Hakko

Neu-up - a recombinant human G-CSF derivative as an anti-neutropenia

Navoban - an oral anti-emetic

Navelbine - an anticancer drug

Allelock - an anti-allergic drug

Patanol - anti-allergic eye drops

Kirin Pharma

Regpara - secondary hyperparathyroidism

Nesp- long-acting erythropoietic stimulating drug

Busulfex - pretreatment drug for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

Espo - syringe, a drug for renal anaemia

Rocaltrol - secondary hyperparathyroidism

www.kyowa-kirin.co.jp/english/

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