A New Growth Stage

Chapter 4 : A New Growth Stage

Based on the expertise it had accumulated in the prescription ophthalmic market in Japan, Santen began establishing a foothold in overseas markets. Santen now has eleven operational bases in seven countries overseas, including the United States, Germany and Finland.

U.S. subsidiary Santen Inc. established

Santen Inc.conducts the R&D, business development and strategic marketing activities in the U.S.

Santen GmbH established in Germany

Santen GmbH started sales operations in Germany in 2002 with the launch of the anti-infective ophthalmic Oftaquix (brand name in Japan: Cravit ).

Hyalein, a treatment for corneal disorders, launched in Japan

Hyalein is a unique drug that repairs damage to the corneal epithelium resulting from dry eye syndrome. In the six years since its launch, sales had exceeded 10 billion yen.

Anti-rheumatic drug Azulfidine EN launched in Japan

Beijing Representative Office opened

Nara Research and Development Center and Shiga Plant opened

Acquisition of a Finnish ophthalmic pharmaceutical company and the subsequent establishment of Santen Oy

With the establishment of Santen Oy, Santen gained its first overseas production base and made its entry into the Northern and Eastern European markets.

Taiwan Santen Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. established

Medium-term plan "Hitomi 21" devised

Anti-infective ophthalmic Cravit launched in Japan

Cravit has become the first-choice treatment for eye infections for its strong anti-infective action and excellent ability to penetrate ophthalmic tissue.

Santen Pharmaceutical Korea, Co., Ltd. and Guangzhou Representative Office established

Detantol, a treatment for glaucoma and ocular hypertension, and Livostin, an anti-allergy ophthalmic solution, launched in Japan

Acquisition of the U.S.-based Advanced Vision Science, Inc.

Advanced Vision Science, Inc. is an ophthalmic medical device manufacturer with strong capabilities in the research and development of intraocular lenses.

Introduced the Dimple Bottle

2003-2005 Medium-term Management Plan devised

Shanghai Representative office established

Santen Pharmaceutical(China) Co., Ltd. establishedd

PAPILOCK Mini ophthalmic solution 0.1%, a treatment for vernal keratoconjunctivitis, launched in Japan

2006-2010 Medium-term Management Plan devised

Suzhou Plant established in China

Sante Medical 10 launched in Japan

Sante Lutax, nutritional supplement launched in Japan

Santen 40i launched in Japan

Eternity foldable intraocular lens launched in Japan

Tapros / Taflotan, a treatment for glaucoma and ocular hypertension launched in Japan.

This treatment resulted from Santen's first ever global development of a drug in four regional center-Japan, the U.S., Europe and Asia. In prescription ophthalmic pharmaceutical markets in Japan and overseas, Tapros/Taflotan has become a focus of attention as a new drug that addresses unmet needs in the glaucoma segment.

Sante FX V Plus launched in Japan

Eternity Natural, foldable intraocular lens launched in Japan

Cosopt, a treatment of glaucoma and ocular hypertension launched in Japan

Diquas, a treatment of dry eye lanched in Japan

DIQUAS is an ophthalmic solution with a new mechanism of action for dry eye. It is the first approved P2Y₂ receptor agonist in the world and is expected to improve symptoms of dry eye by promoting secretion of mucin and water as main components of tears, thereby bringing the tear film closer to a normal state.