Kissei Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
Basic Information
- Stock Code
- 4547
- Industry
- Pharmaceuticals
- Category Detail
- Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals
- Prefecture
- Nagano Prefecture
- Establishment Year
- August 1946
- Listing Year
- December 1988
- Official Website
- https://www.kissei.co.jp/
- TSE Information
- TSE Information
- Yahoo! Finance
- Yahoo! Finance
- Other Companies
- Kyowa Kirin, AICA, Takeda Pharmaceutical, Astellas Pharma, Shionogi, Chugai Pharmaceutical, Eisai, Ono Pharmaceutical, Santen Pharmaceutical, Daiichi Sankyo, Otsuka Holdings, Yoshicon, Azwan
Overview
Kissei Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. is a pharmaceutical manufacturing company founded in 1946, with strengths in the urology and kidney disease sectors, and also handles research and development of therapeutic special foods as a domestic mid-tier R&D-oriented manufacturer.
Current Situation
Kissei Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. recorded consolidated sales of approximately ¥88.3 billion and net profit of approximately ¥12 billion for the fiscal year ending March 2025, maintaining stable business operations. Its core business is R&D of pharmaceuticals in urology, kidney, and dialysis treatment areas, with strengths in proprietary hyperlipidemia drugs and formulations. Centering on medical pharmaceutical manufacturing in the bio-pharmaceutical market, it is expanding its therapeutic special foods business. As an R&D-oriented company, it focuses on new drug development, leveraging its central laboratory and multiple research facilities to create innovative pharmaceuticals. It actively contributes to local communities, primarily in Nagano Prefecture, through cultural support and health promotion initiatives. Moving forward, its growth strategies center on expanding the therapeutic foods market for an aging society and developing new drugs to address unmet medical needs. It is enhancing brand image via TV commercials while aiming for sustainable growth based on stable profitability.
Trivia
Interesting Facts
- Originally founded in 1946 as Tachibana Chemistry Laboratory
- Historic pharmaceutical manufacturer headquartered in Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture
- High regional recognition through numerous TV Asahi series commercials
- Pioneering presence in therapeutic special foods
- Supports local cultural events and health forums
- Known for employing Paralympic athletes
- Sponsor of Nagano Asahi Broadcasting's special program 'Kissei Special'
- Emphasizes R&D with multiple central laboratories
- Subsidiaries engage in diversified businesses
- Specialized in medical pharmaceuticals, building long-term trust
- Focuses on providing product information to medical institutions
- Contributes to local economy as a regional company
- Active in environmentally considerate plant operations
- Brand message: 'Looking toward tomorrow's health - Kissei Pharmaceutical'
- Steadily growing as a mid-tier player in Japan's pharmaceutical industry
Hidden Connections
- Acquired naming rights for Matsumoto's cultural facility 'Kissei Bunka Hall' to contribute to the region
- Built strong networks with diverse medical institutions and welfare facilities in Nagano Prefecture
- Diversified management with subsidiaries in IT and construction
- Official sponsor of local sports team Matsumoto Yamaga FC
- TV commercial sound logo '♪Kissei, Yakuhin♪' widely recognized locally
- Paralympic alpine skier Taku Misawa active as company employee
- Sponsor of Nagano Asahi Broadcasting's original documentary 'Kissei Special'
- Established unique path amid fierce competition with Tokyo Stock Exchange-listed pharmaceutical makers
Future Outlook
Growth Drivers
- Expansion of therapeutic special foods demand due to aging population
- Growth in pharmaceutical market for urology and kidney diseases
- Acceleration of new drug development as R&D-oriented company
- Improved research efficiency through digital technology utilization
- Synergy between regional base strengthening and social responsibility activities
- Enhanced compliance with international pharmaceutical regulations
- Product development through deepened collaboration with medical institutions
- Revenue stabilization through diversified business expansion
- Market expansion via improved brand recognition
- Promotion of sustainable environmentally considerate management
- Improved talent acquisition through better working environment
- Flexible response to changing corporate customer needs
Strategic Goals
- Strengthen mainstay product lineup through new drug development
- Double sales in therapeutic special foods business
- Achieve sustainable environmental load reduction targets
- Realize digital transformation
- Continue coexistence and contributions with local communities
- Strengthen risk diversification through business diversification
- Advance formulation technology and improve quality
- Promote employee diversity and enhance expertise
- Enhance shareholder value through stable dividend policy
- Improve products through broad collaboration with medical institutions
Business Segments
Pharmaceutical R&D Support
- Overview
- Provides test APIs and formulations for new drug development by pharmaceutical companies, along with research support.
- Competitiveness
- Excels in long-standing R&D expertise and development support capabilities
- Customers
-
- Domestic and international pharmaceutical companies
- Biotechnology companies
- Public research institutions
- Products
-
- Pharmaceutical APIs
- Bioactive substances
- Clinical trial formulations
Therapeutic Special Foods Business
- Overview
- Manufactures special foods for elderly and patients under care, supplying to care and medical sites.
- Competitiveness
- Product development tailored to medical site needs
- Customers
-
- Care facilities
- Medical institutions
- Elderly food wholesalers
- Pharmacies
- Products
-
- Protein-adjusted foods
- Nutritional supplements
- Care-use rice products
Medical Equipment-Related Manufacturing
- Overview
- Manufactures and provides medical equipment-related materials at formulation plants to support pharmaceutical production.
- Competitiveness
- Established high-quality pharmaceutical manufacturing system
- Customers
-
- Medical equipment manufacturers
- Medical facilities
- Pharmaceutical manufacturers
- Products
-
- Formulation packaging materials
- Medical site consumables
IT and System Solutions Provision
- Overview
- Provides customized IT solutions for the pharmaceutical industry.
- Competitiveness
- Abundant track record in industry-specific development
- Customers
-
- Pharmaceutical companies
- Medical institutions
- Related companies
- Products
-
- Pharmaceutical management systems
- Logistics traceability systems
- Information security services
Trading Company and Insurance Agency Business
- Overview
- Provides medical-related equipment and insurance products through Kissei Shoji.
- Competitiveness
- Broad sales channels and customer base
- Customers
-
- Medical institutions
- Corporate customers
- Local general public
- Products
-
- Medical equipment sales
- Insurance agency services
- Health food sales
Real Estate Leasing and Management Business
- Overview
- Conducts leasing and management of medical facilities and offices through subsidiaries.
- Competitiveness
- Real estate management closely tied to the medical industry
- Customers
-
- Medical-related companies
- Local businesses
- General tenants
- Products
-
- Office building leasing
- Real estate management services
Chemical Laboratory Operations
- Overview
- Conducts advanced chemical R&D at the Joetsu Chemical Laboratory.
- Competitiveness
- Presence of specialized team supporting drug discovery
- Customers
-
- In-house R&D division
- External research institutions
- Products
-
- New chemical substance development
- Material evaluation
Formulation Plant Operations
- Overview
- Mass-produces high-quality pharmaceutical formulations at Matsumoto and Shiojiri plants.
- Competitiveness
- Processing and production capabilities for diverse dosage forms
- Customers
-
- In-house pharmaceutical business
- Consignment manufacturing from other companies
- Products
-
- Various dosage form pharmaceuticals manufacturing
- OEM manufacturing consignment
Logistics and Distribution Services
- Overview
- Handles pharmaceutical distribution management and stable supply.
- Competitiveness
- Strict temperature control and traceability
- Customers
-
- Medical institutions
- Pharmacies
- Wholesalers
- Products
-
- Pharmaceutical transportation
- Warehouse storage
- Quality-controlled logistics
Healthcare Product Development
- Overview
- Provides products specialized for care and elderly markets.
- Competitiveness
- Product development based on scientific evidence
- Customers
-
- Care facilities
- Health-conscious consumers
- Medical institutions
- Products
-
- Nutritional supplements
- Functional foods
Clinical Development Support Services
- Overview
- Provides support services for the clinical phase of new drug development.
- Competitiveness
- Abundant track record and reliability
- Customers
-
- New drug development companies
- Research institutions
- Products
-
- Clinical trial design
- Data management
Environmental and Safety Management Services
- Overview
- Supports environmental and safety management for pharmaceutical plants.
- Competitiveness
- Specialized know-how and regulatory compliance capabilities
- Customers
-
- Pharmaceutical-related companies
- Plant operators
- Products
-
- Waste disposal
- Safety management guidance
- Environmental consulting
Competitive Advantage
Strengths
- R&D capabilities specialized in specific fields
- Accumulated formulation technology and quality control over many years
- Strong ties with local communities
- Stable revenue base from diversified businesses
- Established trust in the pharmaceutical industry
- Rich experience and management capabilities of executives
- Solid financial position
- Comprehensive research facilities
- Versatility in addressing wide treatment areas
- Good relationships with medical institutions
- Corporate brand enhancement through social contribution activities
- Market share in specific areas
- Dual business of pharmaceuticals and special foods
- Stable funding structure
- Excellent formulation consignment capabilities
Competitive Advantages
- Specialized pharmaceutical provision in urology and kidney disease fields
- Mid-tier domestic share in hyperlipidemia treatments
- Market expansion power through therapeutic special foods development
- Promoting new drug development as an R&D-oriented company
- Strong regional base centered in Nagano Prefecture
- Brand awareness improvement via TV commercials
- Risk diversification through multifaceted business portfolio
- Expansion of trading, IT, and construction businesses via subsidiaries
- OEM supply strength based on high-quality formulation technology
- Shareholder support through stable dividend policy
- Strengthened collaboration with specialized medical institutions
- Environmental considerations for sustainable operations
- Rapid product commercialization via flexible R&D structure
- Talent development within company and region
- Cultural and health support activities integrated with local community
Threats
- Intensifying competition in domestic pharmaceutical market
- Price pressure from generic drug expansion
- Policy risks such as drug price revisions
- Decline in competitiveness due to delays in technological innovation
- Market entry by global pharmaceutical companies
- Increased development costs from stricter regulations
- Market environment fluctuations from emerging infectious diseases
- Difficulties in talent acquisition
- Rising costs from exchange rate fluctuations
- Risk of delayed R&D investment recovery
- Changes in medical needs due to aging population
- Risk of patent infringement by competitors
Innovations
2023: Initiates clinical trials for new hyperlipidemia treatment drug
- Overview
- Started Phase 2 clinical trials for proprietary next-generation hyperlipidemia treatment drug.
- Impact
- Expected to enhance market competitiveness and drive sales growth
2022: Develops new therapeutic special food product
- Overview
- Developed and commercialized protein-adjusted foods specialized for elderly nutritional management.
- Impact
- Expands product lineup in the care market
2024: Introduces AI technology to improve research efficiency
- Overview
- Introduced AI-based automation system for drug discovery research processes.
- Impact
- Achieves shorter research timelines and cost reductions
2021: Starts operations at low-environmental-impact formulation plant
- Overview
- New plant with energy-saving equipment begins operations.
- Impact
- Reduces CO2 emissions and establishes sustainable manufacturing
2020: Develops remote medical support system
- Overview
- Developed IT system for remote sharing of drug information with medical institutions.
- Impact
- Contributes to efficiency improvements in medical settings
Sustainability
- Reducing waste and promoting recycling in pharmaceutical processes
- Promoting regional medical support activities
- Introducing energy-efficient equipment
- Promoting employment of disabled persons and diversity
- Strengthening compliance through whistleblower system
- Establishing environmental management system
- Hosting local health awareness events
- Promoting sustainable raw material procurement
- Adopting resource-saving packaging materials
- Raising environmental awareness through in-house education
- Increasing ratio of female managers
- Preparing regional support systems for disasters