July 4 is the Santen’s anniversary of establishment.
Since our founding in Osaka, Japan, in 1890, we have accumulated expertise in eye health and pursued innovation with a people-centric approach.

In 1899, Santen launched its first ophthalmology product, Daigaku Eye Drops, against the backdrop of many people in Japan living with eye disorders, and it gained instant popularity. From the very beginning, Santen has always been committed to addressing the needs of people and providing solutions for a better society. In the 1950s, Santen expanded its focus on eye health and entered the prescription eye drop business.

Upon our centennial in 1990, we embarked on a new growth journey. In addition to business growth in Japan, alongside an expanding product lineup and completion of new plants and laboratory, Santen entered the European market, particularly in Eastern and Western Europe, to contribute to the welfare of patients around the world. In the 2000s, we increased our focus on meeting the needs of more people by building a business foundation in Asia, including a direct sales network and production plant in China. Since 2010, Santen has continued to expand its business in pan-Asia and pan-Europe.

Santen's current portfolio boasts more than 70 products and therapies that significantly contribute to the treatment of eye-related diseases. With our expertise in eye health, Santen now has a leading market share in Japan, and our presence has expanded globally to more than 60 countries and regions in Asia and EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) to address more unmet needs around the world. In the years ahead, we will be strengthening our position in all of these countries and in the Americas.

Santen’s heritage is one of our strengths. We leverage the expertise and trust Santen has gained in the field of ophthalmology around the world as we continue to discover new ways to address unmet eye health needs.

For more information on Santen’s history, please click here.