Chapter 3: Prescription Drugs Become Santen's Main Products
Santen entered an era of rapid growth with the successive launch of new
prescription products such as
Timoptol
,
Tarivid
and
Rimatil
.
Business expanded accordingly, and the Company opened the Central Research
Laboratories in Osaka and the Noto Plant in Ishikawa, as well as branch
offices all over Japan.
|
|
1978
|
|
Sales of medical devices began
|
The first medical device Santen handled was
ROX-5T
,
an electroretinograph produced by Heiwa Electronic Industrial Co.,
Ltd. This device offered both easy operation and high performance.
|
 ROX-5T |
|
|
| 1981 |
|
Timoptol , a treatment for glaucoma and ocular hypertension, launched in Japan
|
|
| 1982 |
|
Central Research Laboratories opened in Osaka
|
|
1985
|
|
Noto Plant established
Santen's
Noto Plant is equipped with state-of-the-art factory automation and is the
country's largest production plant for ophthalmic solutions. It has now
grown into Santen's main plant, responsible for the production of mainstay
prescription ophthalmic pharmaceuticals such as
Cravit
and
Hyalein
,
as well as over-the-counter pharmaceuticals.
Sante 40 NE launched in Japan
Santen
launched
Sante 40 NE
, an over-the-counter eye lotion for the treatment
of blurred vision and eyestrain.
|
|
| 1986 |
|
Intraocular lenses launched
|
|
1987
 |
Tarivid |
|
|
Anti-infective ophthalmic Tarivid and anti-rheumatic drug Rimatil launched in Japan
As
the world's first anti-infective ophthalmic in the quinolone class,
Tarivid
earned wide recognition among healthcare professionals for its powerful
anti-infective properties. Four years after its launch, sales had exceeded
10 billion yen, making it one of Santen's major products.
|
|
| 1990 |
|
Long-term vision drawn up for Santen's 100th anniversary
Santen announced its vision of "contributing to society
with the best products and services with a focus on the eye and health,"
and devised management objectives focusing on becoming "a world-class company"
and "a leader in all areas of ophthalmic treatments."
|
|
1991
|
|
Sante FX launched in Japan
Santen launched
Sante FX
, an over-the-counter
eye lotion with a powerful, refreshing effect. With a novel bottle design
and a unique TV commercial,
Sante FX
quickly gained interest among
Japanese consumers.
|
|
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