About Otsuka

Timeline of Otsuka's History
2004~2013

  • CorpCorporate
  • PhPharmaceutical business
  • NCNutraceutical business

2004

Corp
Tokushima Vortis, a professional soccer team, launched

With the aim of revitalizing the region, Tokushima Vortis was established with the support of local residents, government bodies, and companies. Otsuka Pharmaceutical and other Otsuka Group companies sponsor the team.

2005

NC
InnerSignal launched

Full-scale entry into the Cosmedics* business.

  • *Cosmedics: cosmetics + medicine
Kenja-no-shokutaku (Wise Man's Dining, currently sold as Kenja-no-shokutaku Double Support) launched
Xuzhou VV Food & Beverage (now VV Food & Beverage Co., Ltd.) joined group

2006

Ph
ABILIFY launched in Japan

Antipsychotic drug

NC
SOYJOY launched in Japan

2007

Corp
Otsuka Group's corporate symbol created
Ph
Otsuka Pharmaceutical Development & Commercialization, Inc. (OPDC) established in the U.S.

OPDC oversees the clinical development strategy and planning, as well as marketing planning, of Otsuka's pharmaceutical business in many Western countries.

2008

Corp
Taro Iwamoto appointed president of Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
Otsuka Holdings Co., Ltd. established
Ph
Alliance with Belgium-based UCB

Otsuka Pharmaceutical and UCB entered an agreement for co-development and co-promotion of pharmaceuticals in Japan including the anti-epileptic drug.

Acquisition of worldwide rights to Busulfex

Busulfex is a conditioning agent for use prior to allogeneic hematopoietic progenitor cell transplantation.

NC
France-based ALMA stake acquired

A major mineral water company in Europe

UL・OS launched

Otsuka's second cosmedics brand (following the launch of InnerSignal three years earlier)

2009

Ph
Samsca launched in the U.S.

Oral vasopressin V2-receptor antagonist

Otsuka Shanghai Research Institute established in China
NC
France-based Nutrition et Santé joined group

Leading company in the functional and nutritional food markets of Europe

2010

Corp
Otsuka Holdings listed on the First Section of Tokyo Stock Exchange
Ph
Otsuka Canada Pharmaceutical, Inc. established
Samsca launched in Japan
NC
SOYSH launched

Carbonated soy beverage

Gerblé introduced to Japan from Nutrition et Santé in France

2011

Corp
BeanStalk Kids Center TOKUSHIMA opened

Opened as Otsuka Pharmaceutical's first in-house child care center in Tokushima

Heartful Kawauchi Co., Ltd. established as a special subsidiary of Otsuka Pharmaceutical

Heartful Kawauchi Co., Ltd. was established in Japan with the purpose to provide opportunities for people with physical and/or mental disabilities. It seeks to provide them with meaningful work in order to live equally with the rest of society and to work free from discrimination.

Ph
Global alliance with H. Lundbeck A/S in Central Nervous System (CNS) diseases
Otsuka Novel Products GmbH established in Germany

2012

Ph
Abdi Ibrahim Otsuka Pharmaceutical Company established in Turkey
Agreement signed with U.S.-based Proteus Digital Health, Inc.

Otsuka entered into an agreement to develop new pharmaceuticals that use sensor technology.

Mucosta ophthalmic suspension launched

Treatment for dry eye

NC
Otsuka Thang Nutrition established in Vietnam
SoyCarat launched

2013

Ph
Abilify Maintena launched in the U.S.

Antipsychotic drug

Neupro Patches introduced

Dopaminergic antiparkinsonian drug
Drug for restless legs syndrome

Astex Pharmaceuticals joined group
Otsuka Europe Development and Commercialisation Ltd. established in the U.K.
NC
POCARI SWEAT ION WATER launched
OMUGI SEIKATSU (Barley Life) launched