History
We are a leading company of IV solutions in Japan. Our history is the very history of the development of Japanese IV products. We are committed to being the best partner of patients and healthcare professionals in the field of clinical nutrition.
- Product photos are generally those at the time of launch.
- Ethical drugs and other products are listed under the brand name, not under the product name.
From chemical raw material manufacturer to pharmaceutical manufacturer
The Otsuka Group began with the establishment of Otsuka Seiyaku Kogyo-bu (Otsuka Pharmaceutical) in Naruto City, Tokushima Prefecture, in 1921 by the founder Busaburo Otsuka (1891-1970). At that time, it was a chemical raw material manufacturer that produced magnesium carbonate (listed in the Japanese Pharmacopoeia) from salt field residues.
In 1946, we started manufacturing intravenous infusion solutions, entered the pharmaceutical field, and in 1951, we launched IV solutions in glass vials. Subsequently, as the demand for IV solutions expanded, we developed a variety of IV solutions, particularly in 1968, we launched Japan’s first plastic container for IV solutions and established a position in the IV industry.
(The photo is a product from 1948-1950s.)
In addition to the clinical nutrition field, Otsuka Pharmaceutical Factory has been developing a variety of products. In 1953, Oronine Ointment was launched as the first over-the-counter drug by the Otsuka Group.
Oronine history (Link to Oronine brand site)
Development of IV business worldwide
In 1973, we entered Thailand, which was our first overseas expansion, and in 1974,
expanded into Indonesia and Taiwan.
In 1977, we expanded into Egypt, and then in
1981, we established the first joint venture in China as a Japanese pharmaceutical
company. In this way, we developed our IV business worldwide.
Today, we operate
16 group companies in the IV business, helping to advance healthcare in other
countries.
Evolving Otsuka’s clinical nutrition products
– From developing glucose solutions to developing peripheral parenteral nutrition solutions –
In 1974, we launched our first self-developed product, MARTOS Injection 10%, a
disaccharide IV injection. It was an innovative carbohydrate solution that allowed for
providing twice as many calories as the conventional 5% glucose solution without
raising the blood glucose levels.
Later, in 1979, we developed and launched
POTACOL R, a carbohydrate and electrolyte injection, and in 1982, we developed and
launched PLAS-AMINO, an injection with glucose and amino acids that progressed from
the conventional concept of amino acid solutions.
PLAS-AMINO has become the first step toward the new field of peripheral parenteral nutrition solution of glucose and amino acids as a single agent, and established the foundation that led to AMINOFLUID, an amino acid, carbohydrate, and electrolyte solution, in 1996, BFLUID, a carbohydrate, electrolyte, and amino acid solution with vitamin B1, in 2006, and ENEFLUID, an amino acid, glucose electrolyte, fat, and water-soluble vitamin injection, in 2020.
Innovative container development
We pursued better containers and launched an innovative twist-off type plastic ampule in 1977. Using this technology, we developed a piggy bottle (50-100 mL smaller container) and launched it in 1984.
In parallel with the development of small-volume infusion containers, we launched
single-bag formulations in 1986 and double-bag formulations in 1994.
Also we
launched the “triple-bag formulations” with double chambers
and a mini chamber in 2004, followed by the world’s first “quad (four-chamber) bag formulations” in 2009 with the upper and lower soft bags plus two mini chambers.
In 1995, we developed Otsuka multi-chamber bag system, in which antibiotics and dissolving agents can be prepared aseptically with a single press. In 1996, we launched the world’s first antibiotic kit product that uses the technology.
In 2006, we launched a prefilled syringe that can be used aseptically with easy operation and reduces labor in medical practice.
Evolving Otsuka’s clinical nutrition products
– Development of TPN solutions and enteral nutrition products –
In 1986, we launched TRIPAREN, a TPN electrolyte solution containing complex
carbohydrates (GFX), as our first TPN solution. We have made it possible to increase
the efficiency of using the administered amino acids as a basic solution for TPN
solution with different carbohydrates formulated originally.
In 1988, we launched
AMIPAREN, a 10% amino acid solution. Amino acid formulation in compliance with the TEO
formulation* is still the basic formulation for nutritional solutions.
- Standards for amino acid formulation proposed in 1980 by the Study Group of Amino Acid Solution, which was established in 1976 and consisted of seven domestic universities.
TPN solutions continue to evolve afterwards. We launched AMINOTRIPA, an amino acid, carbohydrate, and electrolyte solution for TPN, in 1994, NEOPAREN, a formulation containing glucose, electrolytes, amino acids, and multiple vitamins for TPN, in 2004, and ELNEOPA, a TPN formulation containing glucose, electrolytes, amino acids, multiple vitamins, and trace elements, in 2009.
As for clinical nutrition products other than IV solutions, we launched TWINLINE, an elemental diet preparation, in 1993, RACOL, a low residual diet preparation, in 1999, and ENORAS, a liquid for enteral use (for feeding tube and oral administration), in 2019.
Product development in a variety of fields
Taking advantage of the technology developed through IV solution development, in
2001, OS-1, an oral rehydration ion beverage, was launched based on the concept of
oral rehydration therapy proposed by the World Health Organization (WHO).
In
2004, we obtained approval from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare for
labeling and created the first category of oral rehydration solution as a food for
persons with medical conditions.
We launched Olanedine, a new external-use antiseptic―the first in Japan in more than
50 years in 2015.
In addition to bottled products, we have improved an antiseptic
applicator commonly used at medical institutions in the United States with our own
technology and developed it as Japan’s first applicator-type product that integrates a
disinfectant and an applicator.
We launched VISCOCLEAR, gel to secure the visual field that is used for the endoscope for natural opening as the first medical device in Japan that has the effect of securing a view of the gastrointestinal tract endoscope in 2020.
- Product photos are generally those at the time of launch.
- Ethical drugs and other products are listed under the brand name, not under the product name.
