Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Otsuka) has opened a new research facility named the Osaka Research Center for Drug Discovery in Minoh City, Osaka Prefecture, Japan.

　The new research center will be a core research facility for innovations by Otsuka Pharmaceutical, inheriting and building on Otsuka's culture and track record in the field of drug discovery. The establishment of this facility will enable a partial consolidation of research functions heretofore dispersed in Japan; strengthen networks with major research institutes in Japan, especially in the Kansai area where the life sciences sector is flourishing; function as a global hub for collaboration with Otsuka's research instututes outside of Japan, as well as with research organizations outside of the Otsuka group of companies; and thereby promote open innovation that will advance the creation of new pharmaceuticals.

　This research center was designed under the name of Bionetwork Lab, and the design evokes the groves of trees that originally existed on the site. In addition, the interior of the facility was devised to facilitate communication based on the keyword connectivity.

　The new research center has laboratories for discovery of biologics, including gene and cell therapies, regenerative medicines, and antibody drugs, as well as facilities capable of process development. An open lab has been incorporated in the facility to lead to new innovations. In the area of small molecule drug discovery, an area in which been a traditional area of strength for Otsuka, a dedicated section at the new site incorporates immunity, organoids, digital technologies and cryo-electron microscopy that offers the highest-in-world resolution and throughput performance. Preparatory activities are underway at the research center to support the start full-scale operations in December of this year.

　Toshiki Sudo, executive director, Research at Otsuka Pharmaceutical and Head of the Osaka Research Center for Drug Discovery, commented, "Otsuka Pharmaceutical has been creating new drugs for the central nervous system, cardiovascular system, gastrointestinal system, ophthalmology, allergies, and tuberculosis, supported by research laboratories in Tokushima, Japan, the birthplace of Otsuka, and global satellite laboratories including in the U.K. and the U.S. While strengthening small-molecule drug discovery, we will extend research on biologics such as gene and cell therapies and regenerative medicines, with the aim to contribute to the health of people around the world."

Cryo-electron microscopy facility

Panorama Hall, overlooking the Osaka Plain