Otsuka Podcast

See the full story with pictures at: https://www.otsuka.co.jp/en/company/global-topics/2019/20191114_vol113.html The Otsuka group of companies in Spain hosted commemorative events in Madrid and Barcelona to celebrate its market entry in Spain 40 years ago, and subsequent long-standing commitment there since the establishment in 1979 of an office in Madrid. Shortly thereafter, the former Miquel Laboratories in Barcelona was acquired by Otsuka. The 40th anniversary celebrations were an opportunity for the four Otsuka group companies in Spain to present themselves inclusively and simultaneously to national and regional authorities, opinion leaders, customers, and other stakeholders. The four group companies with a presence in Spain are Otsuka Pharmaceutical S.A. (prescription drugs), Hebron S.A. (coatings, polymers, inks and adhesives), Trocellen Ibérica (polyethelyne foams), and Nutrition & Santé (dietetic and organic foods). More than 150 people participated in the events in Madrid and Barcelona on November 14 and 15, respectively. Numerous personalities from the government sector, the business world, the health sector and the Japanese Embassy in Madrid and Consulate in Barcelona took part. At the ceremonies, Otsuka Pharmaceutical S.A. Managing Director Concha Caudevilla and Hebron SA Managing Director Marc Monnin said they felt proud of their companies' successes, which have contributed to improve the quality of life of the Spanish citizenry and to the sustainability of employment and the economy. Currently, Otsuka group companies have more than 600 employees in Spain and four plants. Export activity represents 15% of total consolidated net sales. Mr. Andy Page, (interim) president and CEO of Otsuka Pharmaceutical Europe, Ltd., stressed the importance of trust in long-term relationships as a key success factor. Francesc Miralles, the award-winning Spanish author, who co-authored the bestseller Ikigai: The Secrets of Japan for a Long and Happy Life, explained to attendees the meaning of the word ikigai and shared points from the book. He noted, "Identifying the ikigai brings passion, satisfaction and happiness to the life of the individual." He also referred to the Japanese concept ichi-go ichi-e, which literally translates as "one time, one meeting", the concept of the unrepeatable and therefore cherishable nature of a moment. The events were a splendid culmination of the 40-year commitment to Spain by the Otsuka group of companies.

See the full story with pictures at: https://www.otsuka.co.jp/en/company/global-topics/2019/20190901_vol112.html A pressing concern for Japan is the need to reduce the amount of money the government has to spend on medical costs. One way that this can be done is to help people maintain good health after retirement. To support this goal, Otsuka has been working together with local governments, firms, and organizations across Japan to help keep people fit and healthy, with a particular focus upon specific regional problems. In July of 2019, Otsuka joined forces with the city of Mima in Tokushima Prefecture and the pro soccer team from the area, Tokushima Vortis, to run the first Vortis Conditioning Program. The aim of this is to help citizens establish new exercise habits so as to improve their motor function, and through this reduce the likelihood of their requiring treatment in the future. By doing so, care costs can be reduced, relieving some of the financial burden on society. This initiative made use of a Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry supported social impact bond (SIB) framework. SIBs are outcome-based contracts where private funds are used for initiatives that address social challenges, and governmental departments then later reimburse or subsidize the costs according to the program’s level of success. This project is particularly exciting as it is the first SIB in a healthcare field involving a pro soccer team. A total of 1,800 members of the public will participate in the program over the next five years. Participants will attend weekly group training sessions with Tokushima Vortis coaches for eight weeks, as well as exercising at home at least once a week. The program will introduce the participants to a new exercise routine, and all daily physical activities will be tracked using a wearable device. The hope is that the program will help alleviate physical problems often suffered, such as those related to the hips, joints, and overall posture. After training, participants will be given a pack of Bodymainté Jelly, a lactic acid and protein supplement to support good physical condition, and receive useful nutritional information from a registered dietitian. Participants in the first course commented that they were able to complete the exercises in about 30 minutes in their own homes, making it very easy to do. They also felt that the program had helped improve their physical condition, including their posture and problems such as stiff shoulders. Otsuka firmly believes that good health requires attention to body, mind, and relationships with other people, and we are committed to helping nurture a healthy society by taking a holistic approach at a community level. We will continue to provide a wide range of opportunities to help people improve their well-being today, and through this contribute to the long-term health and happiness of society as a whole.

See the full story with pictures at: https://www.otsuka.co.jp/en/company/global-topics/2019/20190903_vol111.html In recent years a lot of attention has been given to sleep, an essential part of our daily cycle, which accounts for approximately one-third of our lifetimes. World Sleep Day, organized by the World Association of Sleep Medicine, is held every March to highlight the importance of sleep for a healthy life and raise awareness of the impacts of sleep disorders. In Japan there is an additional day focused on sleep, with Autumn Sleep Day held every September 3rd. These two events are part of a non-continuous period called Sleep Health Week. In support of this Otsuka Pharmaceutical organizes information sessions and shares information on our website explaining the importance of internal bodily rhythms. We know that a healthy sleep pattern is essential to feeling refreshed and having a fulfilling day, but despite this many people do not get enough sleep. There are many factors that contribute to sleep problems, such as anxiety and stress. However, recently more attention has been paid to the disruption of internal bodily rhythms. Although we use a 24-hour cycle to measure time daily, our internal body clock cycle is actually a little longer than 24 hours. We usually reset this difference by getting some morning sunlight or by having breakfast. However, due to our modern lifestyles and an always-on society there is an increased risk for a more significant gap to develop between our internal clock and our daily routine, which can lead to an irregular sleep pattern. A common example of this would be sleeping in on a day off to make up for a lack of sleep in the week leading up to it. However, doing this can then lead to difficulties in falling asleep the following night or waking up at the right time in the morning. This pattern of having different sleep patterns on weekdays and at the weekends causes what is known as social jet lag, with research showing that our internal body clock can be shifted by 30-45 minutes just by sleeping in on two days. Also, once the rhythm has been disrupted, it is not easy to restore it, and daytime performance may be affected due to feelings of exhaustion. The key to developing a sleep pattern that supports both mental and physical health is to take care of your internal bodily rhythms and manage the quantity and quality of your sleep. Although the Japanese population enjoys a long, healthy life expectancy, the average time spent sleeping is extremely short compared to other countries. Furthermore, there is reportedly a substantial economic loss associated with not getting enough sleep. To help people live active daily lives, in 2017, Otsuka developed Kenja-no-kaimin Sleep Rhythm Support (The Wise Man's Sleep Solution), to support the maintenance of bodily rhythms that improve the quality of sleep and help people wake up feeling refreshed and energized. The product was submitted to the Consumer Affairs Agency of Japan for labelling as Foods with Function Claims. Otsuka will continue to share the latest knowledge and accurate information related to sleep, while working to create original products rooted in science to further support healthy lifestyles.

See the full story with pictures at: https://www.otsuka.co.jp/en/company/global-topics/2019/20190601_vol110.html In June 2019, Japan hosted its first G20 summit in Osaka, with a focus on the international issue of plastic waste pollution in the oceans. There, the "Osaka Blue Ocean Vision" plan was agreed upon, which aims to reduce ocean waste to zero by 2050. In the run-up to the summit, Japan’s Ministry of the Environment and the Nippon Foundation began a nationwide cleanup campaign named "Zero Ocean Refuse Week” which ran from May 30 to June 8, and in which Otsuka group employees played an active role. The Otsuka Pharmaceutical Environmental Club, a volunteer group of Otsuka employees, collaborated with the local council to carry out cleaning activities at Naruto, Tokushima Prefecture, the location where the Otsuka company was founded. Around 150 people gathered, including employees from 15 group companies and family members, farexceeding the number that participated in previous years. Together they collected 300 bags of garbage, weighing a total of approximately 1.5 tons. Materials and posters relating to the problem of the circulation of discarded plastic waste were displayed at the venue to turnit into a hub for learning about the environment. One employee commented, "I usually only pay attention to large refuse, but if you look carefully there is a lot of small plastic waste reaching the ocean too. My awareness of ocean plastic has changed a lot." A ten-year-old child of an Otsuka employee said, "There were so many types of rubbish on the beach, and it felt great to help make it clean again!" A teenage participant commented, "There’s not so much I can do by myself, but I want to do my best to help, so I hope I can participate in an event like this again." Additionally, many employees participated in the coastal cleanup event held by the Japan Soft Drink Association, of which Otsuka Pharmaceutical is a partner. Approximately 130 people from soft drink manufacturing companies, including executives from their headquarters took part. Otsuka Pharmaceutical will continue to work on integrating environmental management into its business practices in order to help realize a sustainable future for all.

See the full story with pictures at: https://www.otsuka.co.jp/en/company/global-topics/2019/20190502_vol109.html Otsuka received the 2019 Corporate Innovator Award from the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) at the NKF 2019 Spring Clinical Meetings in Boston during May. The Corporate Innovator Award was established to recognize companies that advance the field of nephrology by addressing an unmet medical need, or improving upon an existing practice, therapeutic or technology. Otsuka Pharmaceutical received this award in recognition for its work in bringing JYNARQUETM (tolvaptan) to market. Kevin Longino, the CEO of National Kidney Foundation who is also a kidney transplant recipient, noted, “The Corporate Innovator Award recognizes Otsuka’s significant contribution to improving the lives of people with ADPKD and we congratulate them on this achievement.” The award was accepted on behalf of Otsuka by Louis Allesandrine, Vice President, Oncology and Nephrology Sales and Marketing at Otsuka America Pharmaceutical, Inc. He commented during the award presentation, “It is an honor and a privilege to accept this award on the behalf of the many people who made this possible, including patients, families, researchers, nephrologists, and Otsuka.” In April 2018, JYNARQUETM was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as the first treatment to slow kidney function decline in adults at risk of rapidly progressing autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). Earlier, the drug was approved for use in the EU, Japan and several other countries.   The National Kidney Foundation is the largest, most comprehensive and longstanding organization in the U.S. dedicated to the awareness, prevention and treatment of kidney disease.

See the full story with pictures at: https://www.otsuka.co.jp/en/company/global-topics/2018/20181120_vol108.html 2018 marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Indonesia, and six decades of collaboration between the two countries in a variety of fields. Otsuka has also played a part in building strong ties, with the establishment of its first operations in Indonesia dating back to 1974 when it began local distribution of intravenous supplies. Since then, the company has expanded its range to include pharmaceutical and nutritional products, and the group now operates 7 companies with approximately 4,000 employees across the country. Indonesia’s economic growth has brought with it increased attention towards health. In seeking to provide people with a greater choice of convenient, high-quality nutritional products, Otsuka’s local affiliate, PT. Amerta Indah Otsuka (AIO), has begun the manufacture and sale of two new products. The first of these is ORONAMIN C DRINK, a carbonated nutritional drink with a long history as a top-selling brand in Japan, where it is popular with young and old alike. At the launch event, AIO President and Director Yoshihiro Bando said, “With the launch of ORONAMIN C DRINK, we aim to offer new health benefits, and bring energy and smiles to people throughout Indonesia. "A new halal-compliant production line has been built at the company’s Sukabumi factory in West Java province, and the product went on sale in June. The second product launched is the nutritional soy bar SOYJOY, which offers a convenient way to enjoy the benefits of soy. Sales of imported SOYJOY beganin Indonesia in 2007, and with the product having taken off, production has now begun on a new line at AIO’s Kejayan factory, dedicated to meeting local needs. The product went on sale in July of this year. A ceremony to mark the completion of these factories was held at the Sukabumi plant. In addition to the Regent of Sukabumi and the Deputy Director of the Indonesian FDA, a total of 143 people took part. In his opening remarks, Tatsuo Higuchi, President of Otsuka Pharmaceutical, said “I am very happy to be able to celebrate this completion ceremony this year, the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Indonesia. Indonesia can look forward to further economic development, and we hope to continue to contribute to the field of health care here.” Starting with the sales of POCARISWEAT in 1989, Otsuka in Indonesia since then has focused on creating products to support people’s health and wellbeing, tailored to the culture and customs of Indonesia. With POCARI SWEAT having been widely adopted as a means of hydration in cases of dengue fever, high fever, and diarrhea, it has come to be known as a form of first aid. In addition, when the company opened its new factory in 2010, it also established a school in the factory grounds as a part of its community activities. Operating as a communal education center, company staff provide tutoring to students living nearby the factory combining the three themes of education, the environment, and health. Its motto is “SATU HATI”, meaning “One Heart”. Otsuka is committed to continuing to work in collaboration with the local community as it strives to contribute to the further development of the country, and the health of all its people.

See the full story with pictures at: https://www.otsuka.co.jp/en/company/global-topics/2018/20180901_vol107.html Held every four years, the Asian Games is Asia’s largest sports event. Hosted by the Olympic Council of Asia, it is also known as the Asian Olympic Games. The 18th Asian Games was held in the Indonesian cities of Jakarta and Palembang from August to September, and featured 11,000 athletes from 45 countries and regions. This was the second time for Indonesia to host the Games, and the first since 1962. With a presence in Indonesia since 1974 and having introduced POCARI SWEAT to the country in 1989, Otsuka has a long history of partnerships with the local community. Having the opportunity to participate in such a major regional event was a highlight for all company employees involved. Led by staff from Otsuka’s Indonesian subsidiary PT. Amerta Indah Otsuka, the Games provided a welcome opportunity for Otsuka group employees from across Asia to come together as a team to support the athletes. Otsuka Pharmaceutical has been an official partner of the previous four Games, leveraging its research and development in physical conditioning to help enable athletes to compete at their very best. During the Games, a ‘POCARI SWEAT House’ was set up in the athlete’s village to provide participants with the popular hydration and electrolyte supplement drink, alongside the conditioning product BODYMAINTÉ. POCARI SWEAT was also made readily available at each competition venue. In collaboration with the Japan Sport Council, Otsuka also established the POCARI SWEAT OASIS, a place where people from across Asia involved in athletic training could come together to exchange ideas, knowledge, and learn from other experts. The program also featured lectures and provided meeting spaces for various national sports organizations, as well as the sharing of the latest information on sports nutrition and conditioning. The slogan of the Games was “Energy of Asia,” and it truly was a Games that demonstrated the vitality of the region. Otsuka is committed to continuing to contribute to the growth and development of Asia through the development of scientifically-based products, the sharing of research findings, and participation in events such as the Asian Games.

See the full story with pictures at: https://www.otsuka.co.jp/en/company/global-topics/2018/20180519_vol106.html Otsuka Pharmaceutical launched “Deliciously Illustrated SketchCook - A Nutritious Experiment with Google” dietary education app, which emphasizes the importance of nutritionally balanced meals. SketchCook uses the latest AI technology to transform illustrations of meals drawn by children into digital images, and then suggests nutritionally balanced recipes and, based on guidance from certified nutritionists, food combinations that then provide a well-balanced meal. Otsuka has long been actively involved in dietary education, conducting a study in 2011 on the relationship between breakfast quality and brain function. This demonstrated that optimal brain activity requires not simply an adequate intake of sugar, but also nutritionally balanced meals. Since then, Otsuka has been conveying to students who want to study more efficiently the importance of breakfast and nutritionally balanced meals. Focusing on the next generation of young children on whose shoulders Japan’s future will one day rest, Otsuka developed the idea for an educational app that teaches children about meals and nutrition, while creating opportunities for communication between parents and children. This idea was then realized thanks to Google's machine learning technology and recipe data provided by Rakuten Recipe.It allows children to have fun learning about meals and nutrition through drawing pictures. Otsuka received some very positive feedback from users who participated in the SketchCook launch event held in May, including, “My child immediately started helping me with the cooking!” and “We went shopping and made dinner together.” In the future, Otsuka’s hope is to take SketchCook beyond the home and, in cooperation with local authorities across Japan, spread the word to the next generation of children about the importance of meals and nutrition.   SketchCook can be downloaded from the links below. (Japanese only): iOS: https://itunes.apple.com/jp/app/id1382197965?mt=8  Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=jp.co.otsuka.SketchCook&hl=ja

See the full story with pictures at: https://www.otsuka.co.jp/company/global-topics/2018/20180426_vol105.html Dr. William H. Carson, president and chief executive officer of Otsuka Pharmaceutical Development & Commercialization in the U.S., was lauded as one of 2018’s Top Blacks in Healthcare honorees selected by BlackDoctor.org at their 5th annual gala on April 26, 2018. The event, presented by BlackDoctor.org in conjunction with The George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health, recognizes distinguished African American healthcare professionals for their hard work, commitment and success in helping improve healthcare for all Americans. During the two-day event, Dr. Carson was the keynote speaker at the awards gala dinner and also participated as a panelist. The always congenial Dr. Carson talked about his childhood and how his upbringing shaped his lifelong curiosity, epitomized in the one-word question he often asks himself and those around him:  “Why?” Dr. Carson also spoke about the explosive increase in health-related data and the implications for patients and healthcare practitioners alike. For example, he noted that in clinical trials for the first-ever Digital Medicine created by Otsuka and Proteus, more data, including minute-by-minute data points, were collected than in all the previous clinical trials ever conducted by Otsuka. For him, one implication is that physicians will not just know a lot about medicine but will come to know a lot more about their patients individually, ushering in the age of truly personalized medicine. Dr. Carson’s call to action for healthcare professionals in this new era is to be caring (ensuring patient access to their data), concerned (preventing data misuse) and competent (staying up to date on, and utilizing the digitally based technology and knowledge from data).

See the full story with pictures at: https://www.otsuka.co.jp/en/company/global-topics/2018/20180605_vol104.html Daiya Foods was founded in Vancouver, Canada in 2008 with a simple belief that plant-based living was better for people’s health, better for the planet and better for animal welfare. It all started with the founders, Greg Blake and Andre Kroecher, trying to make plant-based cheese at home in the kitchen with a blender and a pot on the stove. Their perseverance paid off and Daiya Cheddar Style & Mozzarella Style Shreds debuted in 2009 at the Natural Products Expo West. Consumers raved and plant-based dairy innovation changed forever. Today, Daiya is best known for its delicious plant-based cheese alternatives that melt and stretch like dairy-based cheese.  Daiya understands the social needs and craveability of these foods. Every Daiya product is plant-based, dairy-free, soy-free, gluten-free, offering options for those with allergies or are looking to make small changes towards a plant-based diet. Over the years, Daiya has expanded its line of craveable foods to meet a growing global demand for plant-based alternatives. They now offer products across multiple categories for every eating occasion at more than 25,000 stores in North America. See the full story with pictures at: https://www.otsuka.co.jp/company/global-topics/ Daiya’s line of premium plant-based foods include Burritos, Frozen Dessert Bars, Coconut Yogurt Alternatives, Pizzas, Cheezecakes, Cream Cheeze Style Spreads, Dressings, Cheezy Mac, Cheeze Sauce & wonderful cheese alternatives including Blocks, Shreds, Slices and Cheeze Sticks. Daiya is innovative, compassionate and they love food. And they feel like they are just getting started! Now with a much larger team and passionate management, their dairy-alternative innovation accelerates as marked by their recent announcement of the highly anticipated launch of its signature products in the United Kingdom, following international success in Australia, Sweden, Mexico, Hong Kong, and more. Otsuka welcomed the addition of Daiya to its group of companies in 2017, hoping for a passionate synergy in commitment to people’s healthier everyday all across the globe. Terry Tierney, Daiya CEO anticipates “Daiya has always had the vision of building a leading global plant-based food brand. We are excited to partner with Otsuka to help realize this vision.”

See the full story with pictures at: https://www.otsuka.co.jp/en/company/global-topics/2018/20180605_vol104.html Bill Brazell was ecstatic on April 24 upon reading a decision he has long advocated for and awaited: U.S. regulatory approval of Otsuka’s tolvaptan for use in slowing the progression of ADPKD (autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease) in patients at risk of rapid progression. ADPKD is a progressive, inherited condition in which cysts proliferate in the kidneys, often leading to kidney failure.   Having lost numerous relatives to ADPKD, and some years after being diagnosed himself, Bill realized that remaining quiet about his condition was of no help to anyone. And so he began to do everything in his power to advance awareness of ADPKD as well as the search for a first treatment and an eventual cure. Bill’s awareness-raising has included contacting legislators, appearing on national TV and even wearing a kidney costume in the park to raise research funds for the PKD Foundation, where Bill has volunteered as a board member for nine years. To support the advance toward an ADPKD treatment, Bill participated for over 12 years in the clinical trials for tolvaptan, which culminated in the U.S. regulatory approval on April 24. He notes, “Even the possibility of a treatment changed my life and during the trial I and the woman I love decided to marry. We now have three wonderful children, and I do worry about them, but the news of the tolvaptan approval for ADPKD provides me and my family with tremendous hope.”

See the full story with pictures at: https://www.otsuka.co.jp/company/global-topics/2018/20180125_vol102.html On January 25, the BioIndustry Association (BIA) honoured Dr. Harren Jhoti, president & CEO of Astex, UK (an independent subsidiary of Otsuka Pharmaceutical) with a Lifetime Achievement Award. The Award was presented by Dr. Jane Osbourn (BIA Chair) at a dinner attended by 700 professionals from the UK life sciences sector. Dr. Osbourne commented, “Harren’s contribution to the UK biotech sector recognises his combination of scientific and leadership skills, as well as his passion and determination to succeed. [...] He makes an active contribution to initiatives in the UK biotech sector and provides a role-model for today’s entrepreneurs.” On receiving the award Dr. Jhoti paid tribute to the three scientist-entrepreneurs with whom he co-founded Astex in 1999, and to his team, saying, “As scientists we always hope that our discoveries will make a difference and as entrepreneurs we strive to build sustainable companies to translate those discoveries into significant new medicines for patients. At Astex we have been lucky enough to achieve both of these goals due largely to our highly talented team.” Dr. Jhoti also commented how Astex is now thriving as an independent subsidiary of the Otsuka group of companies. At Astex, Dr. Jhoti and his current and former colleagues have made pathbreaking progress in fragment-based drug discovery, which identifies and assembles small chemical fragments to produce drug leads with strong binding affinity to biological targets. To date, one such lead has been pursued by a drug maker all the way through to regulatory approval in the US and EU for use in patients with a type of advanced breast cancer. The BIA is the trade association for innovative enterprises involved in UK bioscience and the Lifetime Achievement Award is the highest accolade given by the BIA.

Sports are good for the body, mind and spirit. Participating in sports boosts self-esteem, team-work and leadership skills, and provides a channel for young people to relieve stress. Five years ago, the Korean Ministry of Education launched an initiative to encourage sports club activities in schools. In support of this initiative, Donga Otsuka, an Otsuka affiliate and manufacturer of POCARI SWEAT for the Korean market, launched a tournament intended to help young people learn the twin values of sports, through playing futsal, and mental strength, to be a hero. On May 28, 2017, the fourth annual “FUTSAL HEROES” finals tournament was held in Seoul, South Korea. The competition saw the fourteen teams that had qualified in the preliminary rounds held in Seoul, Daejeon, Daegu and Busan compete in the finals. The finals took place at the Korea Media Center in Seoul, and drew large crowds of supporters and well-wishers to enthusiastically cheer the teams on. This year’s winning team, Banpo Middle School from Seoul, celebrate their second consecutive win of the tournament. Speaking about the competition, one student said, “In normal life, we get a lot of stress with studying. But, participating in the futsal competition was an experience. We had a great time in preparing for the games and it was fun to take part with my friends. We are so happy to win this year again!” Four years ago, the first tournament was held between 128 middle schools in the Korean capital of Seoul. From these beginnings, the tournament has grown year on year to include more schools from across the country. Last year, middle schools from Busan were added, and this year the tournament was expanded to include schools from Daejeon and Daegu. In the past four years, futsal teams from approximately 600 schools, totaling about seven thousand young people, have participated so far. In 2018, "FUTSAL HEROES" will be held in six major cities in South Korea. This year also marks the 30th year since POCARI SWEAT was launched in South Korea. Donga Otsuka in participation with education departments and schools, holds briefing sessions to students on the importance of hydration. POCARI SWEAT is available in 20 countries and regions across Asia and the Middle East. It is the organizers’ hope that the tournament will expand to include teams from other Asian countries as well. Their big dream is that in the future school teams will represent their nations in an international tournament. Going forward, Otsuka Pharmaceutical and its affiliates will continue to support sports at all levels and their contribution to health to all ages.

See the full story with pictures at https://www.otsuka.co.jp/en/company/globalnews/detail.php?id=240&date=2017-04-22 On April 22, 2017, the Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) Foundation honored Otsuka Pharmaceutical for our long-standing and successful commitment to develop an innovative, first-in-class drug treatment for autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) and for its collaboration with the foundation.  “Working together with basic science funded by PKD Foundation and the research and development capabilities of Otsuka, tolvaptan has become the first drug approved in Japan, Canada and the European Union, hopefully this landmark drug will soon become available in the United States as well for the treatment of ADPKD. The Foundation applauds the unwavering commitment of Otsuka to bring this important new therapy to the marketplace. It is for this persistence and recognition of the unmet medical need of PKD patients in the US and worldwide that the PKD Foundation has honored Otsuka at its Gratitude dinner in San Francisco this spring”, said Andy Betts, the chief executive of the PKD Foundation.  Yoshitaka Yamamura, a researcher at Otsuka’s Tokushima Research Institute who pursued research on the antidiuretic hormone vasopressin for decades, and Frank Czerwiec, vice president of Global Clinical Development at Otsuka Pharmaceutical Development & Commercialization, Inc., who was deeply influential in initiating and steering the global development of tolvaptan for ADPKD, accepted the award on behalf of the company. For over 20 years, Otsuka has pursued developing a treatment for ADPKD – a condition that causes cysts to proliferate in the kidneys and often results in end stage kidney disease, requiring dialysis or kidney transplantation. During this period, the PKD Foundation has worked side-by-side with us as advocates for disease state awareness. In addition, they have been instrumental in recruitment of participants in clinical trials and helping advance the compound through the regulatory process. “Otsuka's purpose starts with addressing patient problems,” said Dr. Czerwiec. “In the case of ADPKD, we have built upon research initiated by highly motivated researchers inside and outside the company. In this sense, ours is a symbiotic relationship where we each achieve our goal faster through collaborative research.” Mr. Yamamura and Dr. Czerwiec, on behalf of the company, are humbled to see Otsuka honored at this year’s Gratitude Benefit. “To share in recognition that is given to physicians and patients who fight this disease is a great honor,” Dr. Czerwiec said.

See the full story with pictures at https://www.otsuka.co.jp/en/company/globalnews/detail.php?id=239&date=2017-03-24 On World TB Day, March 24th 2017, Otsuka Pharmaceutical in cooperation with South Africa’s Ministry of Health and a non-governmental organization called Right to Care, officially launched DCAP, a clinical access program for delamanid (DeltybaTM), a medicine developed by Otsuka for the treatment of pulmonary multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB). The event, organized by South Africa’s Ministry of Health and the National TB Programme, took place at the Sizwe Hospital in Johannesburg, South Africa. About 150 government officials, healthcare workers, TB experts, civil society representatives, and other dignitaries gathered to mark this occasion. During the ceremony, the Japanese Ambassador to South Africa, Mr. Shigeyuki Hiroki, emphasized that delamanid is an example of Japanese contributions to strengthening public health in Africa, and presented a box of delamanid to Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi, South Africa’s Minister of Health. Dr. Motsoaledi, a global champion in the fight against TB, delivered the keynote address highlighting that delamanid will be initially made available to children (ages 12-18), HIV co-infected people, and TB patients with diabetes. “We are very happy because these are key populations suffering from TB. We thank Otsuka, as they are providing us this drug, and it will be given to patients in regions with the biggest TB burden in the country”, said Dr. Motsoaledi, adding, “This day marks an important milestone in South Africa’s response to the TB epidemic.” South Africa has one of the highest burdens of TB and HIV in the world. The two diseases are strongly interlinked, with 35% of deaths from HIV being caused by TB. Unlike HIV, TB is fully curable -- as long as there are effective medicines. However, many South Africans are infected with TB bacteria that are resistant to the first-line anti-TB therapies, which pose a grave public health emergency. In 2015, over 20,000 people were diagnosed with drug-resistant TB. Through this access programme, Otsuka aims to provide an additional treatment option for some of these difficult to treat patients. The experiences from this programme will help provide programmatic evidence on how delamanid can be effectively implemented within South Africa. Working with committed partners, Otsuka is balancing two priorities: the need for urgent access and for antimicrobial stewardship necessary to prevent the emergence of further drug resistance. In this way, Otsuka is delivering innovative solutions to address unmet medical needs.

https://www.otsuka.co.jp/en/company/globalnews/detail.php?id=238&date=2017-03-07 Every year since 2000, Astex employees and their families have taken part in the Light The Night of East Bay event in Walnut Creek in Northern California to raise much needed funds and awareness to support the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS). The LLS, founded in 1949, is the largest voluntary organization in the US dedicated to research, finding cures and ensuring access to treatment for blood cancer patients. In 1964 the survival rate for childhood leukemia was just 3%, now thanks in part to research, funding, and better support for patients from the society the survival rate is 91%. Since its inception, the society has contributed over $1billion towards improving the lives and outcomes for blood cancer patients. Light The Night draws nearly one million participants over the year to join one of LLS’s 160+ evening events across the US. Participants walk the course holding illuminated lanterns in three colours: white lanterns are carried by patients and survivors; red lanterns by supporters; gold by participants who are walking in memory of a loved one. In speaking about Light The Night, the East Bay Campaign Director for LLS, Andrea Orozco said, “When LLS walks, cancer runs”. Last year, Astex employees raised $44,393 for LLS through fund raising events and the Astex corporate match program. 57 employees from Team Astex and their family members joined the event to raise awareness for blood cancers. To date, Astex and its employees have contributed in excess of $465,000 to LLS activities such as Light The Night, Patient Assistance Programs, and educational events and grants. In addition, an Astex employee has served on the local board or was a member of the LLS organizing committee for the past 15 years. In recognition of their efforts, executives and staff members of Astex received awards from the society, including one for being the top corporate fundraising team and one for the most money raised by an individual. To Astex these activities are more than about raising money for the society, as the President and Chief Medical Officer of Astex, Mohammad Azab explains, “Every employee at Astex is deeply committed to the search for a cure to blood cancers and we are proud to support the mission of the LLS in improving the lives of patients and their families”. Otsuka affiliate Astex is a leader in innovative drug discovery and development. The company is committed to the fight against cancer as well as disorders of the central nervous system. Find out more about Astex at www.astx.com

See the full story with pictures at https://www.otsuka.co.jp/en/company/globalnews/ Otsuka Group member Nutrition & Santé, a leading manufacturer of dietetic products including slimming and sports foods, won the 2017 Inaugural Grand Prix Award from the French National Association of Food Industries (ANIA) and EY *1 at an award ceremony held on January 18th. The prize rewards French food industry companies for their growth in France or overseas, for job creation, and for their commitment to social responsibility initiatives. Nutrition & Santé was selected from a shortlist of 17 companies by an independent jury. For almost half a century, Nutrition & Santé has developed, produced and sold healthy and tasty food products to consumers in France and in over 40 countries across the globe. The company maintains around thirty brands in segments such as dietetics *2, organic and alternative foods *3, slimming nutrition *4, and sports nutrition *5. The award recognizes Nutrition & Santé’s achievements in growth (an increase of 16% from the previous year), in expanding sales overseas, and their commitment to sustainable and ethical business practices such as complying to international standards, procuring raw materials and reducing waste. The award also recognized efforts in innovation, such as meat analogue products that have the same taste, texture, and shape as meat. Speaking on accepting the award, Nutrition & Santé CEO Didier Suberbielle said, “We are very proud to receive this prize, which rewards the growth made by the company over the past few years, and in particular in 2016 with the acquisition of Bicentury. We regularly hire new employees. Over the last 5 years, our French workforce has grown by 20%, and we now employ more than 1000 people and 1800 worldwide. Since 2010 we officially committed in a CSR policy and consider it to be a strong axis for the future ... be profitable, human and sustainable, that is our company vision.” For more information on Nutrition & Santé, visit https://www.nutritionetsante.com/en/ *1 EY= Ernst & Young Global Limited *2 Brands Gerblé / Céréal, Allergo, Valpiform *3 Brands Céréal Bio, Soy, Céréalpes, Natursoy, Plant Steakhouse *4 Brands Gerlinéa, Milical, Modifast, Pesoforma, Bicentury *5 Brand Isostar  

See the full story with pictures at https://www.otsuka.co.jp/en/company/globalnews/ In September of 2016, Otsuka Pharmaceutical and RIKEN opened the RIKEN CDB-Otsuka Pharmaceutical Collaboration Center (COCC) inside the RIKEN Center for Developmental Biology (RIKEN CDB), which is located in the city of Kobe. The COCC will be involved in collaborative developmental biology and regenerative medicine research projects with the goal of investigating disease mechanisms and discovering new drugs and therapeutic applications. The purpose of the COCC is not only to make new discoveries through such collaborative research projects, but also to train the next generation of scientists by hosting joint seminars and offering opportunities for personnel exchange. In connection with the opening of the COCC, the first steering committee meeting was held on September 6 at Otsuka in Tokushima to discuss the Center’s plans for collaborative research, information exchange, and personnel exchange. The RIKEN CDB Director, Hiroshi Hamada, M.D., Ph.D., presented a brief overview of RIKEN and the research in which it has been involved, and the RIKEN CDB Team Leader, Minoru Takasato, Ph.D., gave a presentation on kidney regeneration research using human-derived cells, which led to an animated discussion with Otsuka researchers. RIKEN CDB is a world-class research institution for basic research in the field of developmental biology and regenerative medicine. RIKEN has recently become known for its participation in the first clinical research in the world on the use of iPS cells in age-related macular degeneration, which has become an increasingly common cause of blindness in recent years. The COCC will be involved in joint research projects aimed at developing treatments for neurodegenerative diseases and kidney diseases, which have been important areas of research for Otsuka.

Read the full story with photos at: http://www.otsuka.co.jp/en/company/globalnews/ Otsuka Pharmaceutical and NEC Corporation have partnered to jointly develop a smart medicine container that will help ensure that patients do not forget to take their daily dose of anti-stroke medication. Otsuka has experience with patients who have suffered one or more strokes through its involvement in the research, development and marketing of blood-thinning drugs, and NEC has many years of experience in miniaturized wearable technologies, sensing technologies, and human-centered design. The combination of two companies’ abilities should therefore make it possible to develop a smart medicine container that will be easy for patients to use. This container will use a flashing LED light to inform patients that it is time to take their medication. When a patient removes a pill from the container, the time will be recorded in the container’s memory. The container is also equipped with an Internet-of-Things-type function for transmitting this information to smart phones or tablet devices so that the patient and/or the patient’s family will be able to monitor the patient’s pill ingestion, and also so that pharmacists will be able to use this information when giving the patient instructions on the proper use of the medication. The daily use of blood-thinning drugs is critical for the prevention of stroke recurrence. However, there have been reports of treatment adherence as low as 50% within half a year of starting treatment because patients forget to take their medication or stop doing so without their physician’s consultation. Antiplatelet treatment maintenance is therefore a significant issue.

Read the full story with pictures at https://www.otsuka.co.jp/en/company/globalnews/2014/1004_01.html  In support of 2014 Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea, the official drink POCARI SWEAT was provided to 46 stadiums including Incheon Asiad Main Stadium for players. 15,000 players and staff from 45 Asian countries participated in the competition, and POCARI SWEAT united Asia's diverse cultures into one. To support this event, Dong-A Otsuka mobilized nearly all its staff to support athletes’ rehydration by providing POCARI SWEAT on site. They also managed various fun filled POCARI SWEAT activity booths across the venues, such as history zone, sampling zone and sports experience zone. POCARI SWEAT also became the official drink for Indonesian athletes this year. POCARI SWEAT provided Indonesian athletes with development funds, uniforms for the Indonesian contingent for Asian Games 2014 and SEA Games 2015 and invited sport science experts to educate the coaches of Indonesian Athletes. This partnership between National Sports Committee of Indonesia (known as KONI) and PT. Amerta Indah Otsuka will run for five years. “We will be consistent in doing these activities as an effort to support the Indonesian sports achievements” said Mr. Yoshihiro Bando, President Director of PT. Amerta Indah Otsuka. In addition to providing support for top athletes, Otsuka Pharmaceuticals was also involved in activities to nurture the next generation of athletes and promote the culture of sports. Children from Japan and South Korea participated in this program in which 11 elementary school athletes from Iwate Prefecture in Japan’s Tohoku region was chosen to experience the world-class atmosphere of Asia’s largest sports event.

Read the full story with pictures at http://www.otsuka.co.jp/company/globalnews/detail.php?id=234&date=2016-08-06   Otsuka Sims (Guangdong) Beverage Co., Ltd. has been sponsoring the annual POCARI SWEAT 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament since 2006. The aim of the tournament, in which teams of 3 compete, is to encourage consumers to develop and maintain healthier bodies through exercise and good hydration habits.  At the start of each summer's team recruitment drive, basketball fans from many regions of China, including Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau, have come to Foshan to participate in the POCARI SWEAT Battle of the City Heroes. The POCARI SWEAT 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament has developed a strong reputation and become recognized and respected among the sporting community. Compared to last year, this year's tournament added 2 more divisions totaling 8: Guangzhou, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Dongguan, Jiangmen, Foshan and Huizhou. Also this year, the number of cities holding competitions increased to 8, the number of teams increased from 600 to 912, nearly one thousand athletes increased adding up to 3,648, and the number of spectators increased from 7,000 to about 9,000. Each year, the previous year’s champion team is invited to appear in the tournament poster. This year’s media coverage has included the Shenzhen Entertainment channel, Jiangmen Xinhui channel, Huizhou news channel, Guangzhou TV news channel, which will report on and broadcast the competitions in their respective cities. The company has been hosting this tournament for 11 years. During this period, it has broadened publicity for POCARI SWEAT and heightened consumers’ interest and understanding of the product. The tournament has increased the public's faith in and goodwill toward Otsuka and established in the minds of consumers a brand image for POCARI SWEAT as a new awareness of ion supply drink.

Watch the video of this award-winning tool at: http://www.otsuka.co.jp/en/company/globalnews/detail.php?id=233&date=2016-08-24 A portion of our activities dedicated to reducing bias among the general public about nerve and mental diseases has won the Bronze for the Pharma category of Lions Health at the 63rd Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, the most prestigious international award for creativity. The activity which was awarded the Bronze uses the booklet “Connect Pen & Notebook” as a way to raise awareness of diseases. The product was designed and produced by TOPPAN PRINTING CO., LTD. The booklet conveys that nerve and mental diseases, similar to some other diseases, are organ diseases affecting the brain and are caused by malfunctions in the interconnections in the brain. The pen captures the general public’s interest and encourages them to read the booklet contents. It does this by connecting electric circuits in the booklet to mimic the connections in the brain. LED lights are thereby lit by drawing with the pen, which uses ink that conducts electricity. Part of the circuits were hand-made by patients who aspire to be employed. This tool is used in university courses related to healthcare and has resulted in students having improved understanding about, and impressions toward, these diseases. Otsuka Pharmaceutical will continue to carry out activities to dispel negative images of diseases by deepening awareness of them.  

Read the full story with photos at http://www.otsuka.co.jp/en/company/globalnews/detail.php?id=232&date=2016-07-14 Otsuka Pharmaceutical participated in the Global Health Innovative Technology (GHIT) Fund as an associate partner on June 7th, 2016. GHIT Fund was established in April 2013 as the world’s first product development fund specialized in Global Health through partnerships with the public (i.e. Japanese government), private, and civil sectors (Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, etc.). GHIT Fund contributes funds to research and development of pharmaceuticals or diagnostic products, etc. targeting the three major infectious diseases, HIV, tuberculosis and malaria; and neglected tropical diseases mainly prevalent in developing nations through utilization of the high standard technologies and innovations created in Japan. In 3 years, over 60 projects were approved and over US$60 million has been invested. Of these projects, 7 have proceeded into the clinical development stages. It was announced during the G7 Ise-Shima Summit that an additional 130 million dollars would be invested to this foundation as a commitment of the Japanese government to global health. Otsuka Pharmaceutical has challenged to overcome difficult global health problems and have been devoted to developing original, innovative products aimed at solving unmet medical needs. Given its long-term commitment, R&D investment, of over 30 years in the field of tuberculosis, it has successfully created a new anti-tuberculosis agent, delamanid, for the first time in approximately half a century. Our participation in GHIT Fund is anticipated to be highly valued as a further effort for our company in global health.   Earlier this year, Otsuka Pharmaceutical co-sponsored the 3rd Nikkei Asian Conference on Communicable Disease held in Tokyo. A discussion on the theme “Japanese initiatives through new public and private cooperation” was held on cooperation between government and private sectors in regards to global expansion especially in Asia of Japanese technology conducive to managing infectious diseases. Masuhiro Yoshitake, the Global Project Leader of TB Projects from Otsuka Pharmaceutical, presented the approval application status of delamanid, in each country and reported that cooperation between government and private sectors are essential within the international framework for global expansion of delamanid. At the end of the conference, Dr. Shigeru Omi, Regional Director Emeritus for the World Health Organization Western Pacific Region, gave a summary “Tokyo Infectious Disease Statement 2016” in regards to recommendations based on this conference and challenges for the next year. He agreed that this will lead to future activities in both Japan and overseas. Through participation in this conference, our company has been made aware of greater need for cooperation between government and private sectors in order to deliver our company’s creation, delamanid, to patients. Originally published at: https://www.otsuka.co.jp/en/company/globalnews/detail.php?id=232&date=2016-06-07

Read the full story with photos at: http://www.otsuka.co.jp/en/company/globalnews/detail.php?id=230&date=2016-06-10 Otsuka America Pharmaceutical, Inc. hosted a special screening of the first-ever documentary film on living with PseudoBulbar affect (PBA), “Beyond Laughter and Tears, A Journey of Hope”, during the American Psychiatric Association (APA) annual meeting in Atlanta on May 16, 2016. The documentary was created by Avanir Pharmaceuticals, Inc., an Otsuka subsidiary, in order to “shine a spotlight on PBA and the vast community it impacts, hopefully creating a greater awareness of PBA that may inspire people who suffer from this condition or their loved ones to seek help,” according to the website devoted to the film, www.pbafilm.com PBA is a neurologic condition characterized by uncontrollable, sudden outbursts of crying and/or laughing that don’t match what a person is feeling on the inside. Approximately 2 million Americans may suffer from PBA. PBA occurs when certain neurologic conditions or brain injuries damage areas of the brain involved in crying and/or laughing. Because PBA is a prevalent, yet under-recognized and undertreated condition, Avanir is bringing together the mental health community to raise awareness of PBA and how it affects patients’ lives. Beyond Laughter and Tears is the first documentary film to examine the daily struggle of Americans who live with PBA. It chronicles the lives of six people dealing with PBA, a secondary condition prevalent among people who have experienced a traumatic brain injury, stroke or certain other diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. To the six cast members, finally getting a diagnosis meant so much to them. Each of them talked about wanting to help others with PBA because they had so much trouble getting a diagnosis themselves.

See the full story with photos at https://www.otsuka.co.jp/en/company/globalnews/detail.php?id=229&date=2016-04-21 Mr. Bob Oliver, president & CEO of Otsuka America Pharmaceutical, Inc., (OAPI), served as the keynote speaker and honoree at the 3rd Annual Top Blacks in Healthcare Awards Gala held in spring this year in Baltimore. The Gala, hosted by BlackDoctor.org, a leading online health destination for African Americans, and the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Disparities Solutions, is held each year to honor and recognize individuals who have made outstanding contributions to health and medicine. "BlackDoctor.org's Top Blacks in Healthcare is a very important event in the Black community because it gives us a chance to recognize African-Americans who have achieved a high level of success and understand the importance of reaching back to serve as positive role models for others,” said Mr. Reggie Ware, CEO, BlackDoctor.org. One person who couldn’t agree more was Mr. Oliver’s son, who greeted his father with a hug as he left the stage and whispered, “Dad, you did awesome!” And the audience agreed. Mr. Oliver, who has worked at OAPI since 2010 said, “I am honored to be a part of such an esteemed group working collectively to address healthcare disparity in America - a growing and costly problem that has surpassed US $30 billion in preventable cost per year. We must solve together. I am equally proud of Otsuka - people who embrace diversity, hire and develop talent, and strive earnestly every day to create healthier communities around the world.” During his tenure at OAPI, Mr. Oliver and his teams have been instrumental in introducing a diverse portfolio of marketed products, and helping to guide the development of pipeline products, across the neuroscience, oncology, and medical device markets. Mr. Oliver is also passionate about education, and served as chairman of the board for Eastern University Charter Academy School in the state of Pennsylvania, ensuring educational opportunities are provided to at-risk children.

Read the original article with photos at: https://www.otsuka.co.jp/en/company/globalnews/detail.php?id=227&date=2016-04-20 The Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology awarded Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. two commendations for Science and Technology in Tokyo, Japan. One of the prizes for Science and Technology, in the Development Category, was for the research and development of delamanid. It is an effective treatment for multi-drug resistant tuberculosis. The other prize was for the development of tolvaptan, an antagonist of the vasopressin V2 receptor. The commendations were presented in late spring in a ceremony held in the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology. Each year, 9.6 million people are newly infected by tuberculosis (TB). Of these cases, 480,000 patients develop multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB). And in that group, 22% develop extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB). There have been no new anti-TB drugs developed since the introduction of rifampicin over forty years ago. Senior director of the Pharmaceutical Business Division, Mr. Makoto Matsumoto, Ph.D., said, “Delamanid was approved as a new drug for the first time in approximately 40 years. However, many besides those being awarded this time contributed their efforts and cooperation during the approval process, which took over 20 years.” He continued to thank, “all those who were involved from the discovery and development of delamanid to the approval of the drug. Otsuka will continue its efforts to increase the number of patients using the drug, and will continue contributing to tuberculosis treatment worldwide.” Delamanid was approved in Japan, Europe, and Korea in 2014. The commendation was awarded to delamanid for its contribution to the medical care of TB, by addressing the pressing need for new effective treatments to the increasing occurrence of MDR-TB. A doctor looking for a drug that helped his patients excrete only water unlike other diuretics inspired Otsuka Pharmaceutical to start researching for an agent to do just that. It was discovered that this vasopressin V2 receptor antagonist may hinder the proliferation and enlargement of the cysts in the hereditary disease Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease (ADPKD). Otsuka subsequently played a pivotal role in the clinical development of tolvaptan for ADPKD, and it is presently the only treatment option known to delay the long-term progression of ADPKD. “I heard that this award commemorates ‘people’ who make achievements, and I am deeply moved by the fact that my life’s work involving the discovery and development of tolvaptan, which I spent 30 years on, has been recognized,” said Mr. Yoshitaka Yamamura, senior director of the Pharmaceutical Business Division. “The ‘rugged’ drug discovery we started from scratch is now contributing to patients daily, and I am sincerely proud of that fact. I hope that new drug discoveries will be made for drugs that ‘originate in Tokushima and are the world’s first’.” The commendation was awarded to tolvaptan for its contribution to the medical fields of heart failure and liver cirrhosis, as an agent with a new mode of action of water diuresis, as well as the only treatment option known to delay the long-term progression of ADPKD.    

Read the full article with photos at  https://www.otsuka.co.jp/en/company/globalnews/detail.php?id=226&date=2016-04-19   Otsuka and the Stop TB Partnership’s Global Drug Facility (GDF) announced a worldwide access plan for delamanid, one of only two medications approved to treat multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) in the last 40 years. The GDF is the largest supplier of quality assured TB treatments in the public sector, which gives it a unique position to catalyse uptake and expedite access to patients living in countries where TB medications are urgently needed. Launched in 2001 by the World Health Organization (WHO), the GDF was created out of a need to build an efficient system of procurement and distribution of high-quality TB drugs. Apart from procurement, the GDF provides a unique package of services, including technical assistance in TB treatment management and monitoring of TB drug use. This innovative partnership with Otsuka opens access to over 100 low- and middle-income countries that are eligible for financing through the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria and that follow WHO guidelines for the proper management of MDR-TB. As part of this partnership, GDF will also include delamanid in their Strategic Rotating Stockpile to ensure treatments get to people in need as quickly as possible. Apart from establishing a formalized partnership that ensures the supply of delamanid, Otsuka and GDF will work together to support communities with education, training, technical assistance, and TB advocacy activities. Access to a reliable supply of high quality drugs is of great importance, as patients can develop TB drug resistance as a result of poor quality drugs and unreliable supply channels. Widespread drug resistance complicates and lengthens treatment, and as the disease is airborne just like other types of TB, it poses a major public health risk. Nearly half a million people each year develop MDR-TB and of those diagnosed and enrolled in treatment, only 50% are successfully treated. This partnership is a key component of Otsuka’s wider strategy called the “FightTBack” initiative to scale up programmatic use of delamanid and fight TB through innovative R&D, ensuring responsible access to patients, optimizing patient management, and collaborative capacity building. In line with its philosophy of addressing unmet medical needs, Otsuka is currently testing the first-ever pediatric MDR-TB formulation. Otsuka is continuing its research into innovative ways to fight TB, including development of mobile health technology for patients to receive treatment reminders on their smart phones and involvement in multiple research partnerships looking at shorter, more efficient and more patient-friendly ways to fight MDR-TB.

Read the full article with photos at  https://www.otsuka.co.jp/en/company/globalnews/2015/0220_01.html   The Otsuka Museum of Art hosted the sixth Sistine Kabuki production – Yuriwaka Daijin: Ulysses – for 3 days, beginning on February 20, with two performances each day. As has been the case in past years, tickets sold out almost as soon as they went on sale. The performances were attended by 2800 persons from across Japan. Incorporating Technology in Kabuki The stage for this year's production was set up in the style of an arena, with elevated walkways leading off in all four directions. The stage was lit in various colors using blue light LED technology, made famous recently as the invention that received the Nobel Prize in physics last year. This year's performance was notable for the singing and dancing elements, which are not usually seen in kabuki, and for the use of slang words in the spoken dialogue, which drew cheers from the audience. "Sistine Kabuki" productions are based on the themes of Japanese-Western collaboration and the creation of innovative kabuki theater. The current production – Yuriwaka Daijin: Ulysses – is a completely new work, a fusion of Greek mythology and traditional kabuki theater based on the tale of Yuriwaka Daijin, which is considered an ancient Japanese retelling of the Odyssey, the epic poem attributed to Homer. Kazuo Mizuguchi returned as producer and director, and Kanjuuro Fujima returned as choreographer, and they collaborated with the Chinese opera performer Zhang Chunxiang to create a kabuki performance with musical accompaniment that incorporated both kabuki movements and Chinese opera-style percussion instruments. The presence of Yuuga Yamato, a former star of the Takarazuka Review theater troupe in Japan, playing two roles, one Eastern and one Western, was also a topic of great interest. The protagonist, Yuriwaka Daijin, was played by Ainosuke Kataoka, making his fourth appearance in a row in Sistine Kabuki performances, and the roles of Princess Tachibana and the goddess Calypso were both played by Yuuga Yamato, making her first appearance. The roles of Takahime (the Spirit of the Hawk) and Hidetora's older sister Matsugae were both played by Kichiya Kamimura, who has appeared in Sistine Kabuki performances since their inception, and the role of Hidetora Ichiro was played by Tanenosuke Nakamura. After the first performance, Ainosuke Kataoka said "I have sung in Sistine Kabuki productions before, but this year I was nervous singing because of Ms. Yamato's presence," and Yuuga Yamato said that "I had thought that only men appeared in kabuki, and I had played male roles before when I was with Takarazuka, but I was really grateful for the opportunity to appear in a kabuki production."  

Read the full story with photos at  https://www.otsuka.co.jp/en/company/globalnews/detail.php?id=225&date=2015-12-21   Dr. Gregory Fox from Sydney, Australia was presented the Young Innovator in Tuberculosis Research Award sponsored by Otsuka during the 46th Union World Conference on Lung Health in Cape Town, South Africa in December 2015. Dr. Fox is an Australian respiratory physician and recipient of the CJ Martin Fellowship from the Australian Government. His research focuses on TB case-finding and multidrug-resistant TB in high-burden settings. Dr. Fox was the foundation country director of the Woolcock Institute of Medical Research in Vietnam from 2009 to 2013. During that period, in partnership with the Vietnam National TB Program, he implemented a randomized controlled trial (the ACT2 study), screening over 25,000 people for TB. The project was innovative in its use of randomized controlled trial methodology and electronic tools that were developed especially for the trial and are scalable. Additionally, the project demonstrated the feasibility of centrally coordinated tracing of everyone who has come in contact with a person diagnosed with TB. Currently, Dr. Fox is an investigator on several ongoing public health and clinical studies of TB screening and prevention in Vietnam. He also works as a respiratory physician at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney, Australia. The Young Innovator in TB Research Award was established through a global partnership between Otsuka Pharmaceutical and The Union. The award is administered by The Union with a grant provided by Otsuka. Award recipients are selected by a panel of experts organised independently by The Union. The purpose of the award is to stimulate the advancement of innovative approaches in TB control and patient care. The award is open to young clinicians who have documented achievements in the formulation and implementation of clinical and operational research in the field of TB or multidrug-resistant TB.

Read the full story with photos at https://www.otsuka.co.jp/en/company/globalnews/detail.php?id=224&date=2015-08-30   On the final day of the 15th IAAF World Championships held in Beijing, Mai Ito from the Otsuka Pharmaceutical Track & Field Team ran for Japan in the Women’s Marathon. Although the final day was cloudy compared to the blazing weather throughout the games, Ms. Ito ran confidently in hot conditions and finished first among all Japanese runners, earning her the right to run in the 2016 Olympics to be held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Ms. Ito focused on training and overcame harsh conditions in preparation for her second time competing in the World Championships. For this marathon, she concentrated on strengthening her muscles, with particular focus on training her lower body by performing squats with weights – a workout that she endured even after suffering a stress fracture in her foot. Paying close attention to everyday diet and hydration prior to the competition was another factor contributing to her strong performance. She consumed more protein and carbohydrates, chose jellied food if she felt that this was a better choice for her digestion, and took amino acid supplements in addition to her meals to counter fatigue. Careful hydration before and during running is just as important as daily diet. Ms. Ito chose ion supply drinks with optimum amounts of sugars to prevent dehydration throughout and to support her spurt in the latter part of her run.She was careful about hydration during training and at competitions, and the results of her daily adjustments were obvious from her performance at the marathon beyond the 30 kilometers point. While many runners down-paced by trying to catch up with the fastest spurting group, Ms. Ito’s determined run earned her a ticket to the upcoming Olympics after she finished 7th, the highest among Japanese runners. Otsuka Pharmaceutical Track & Field Team’s athletes receive physical training and instructions on diet & hydration from instructors, coaches and a dietitian, all with a scientific approach tailored to each athlete’s physical features and conditions. “It is crucial that each of our athletes recognize the science behind the various support they receive during their training and apply it towards international competitions,” commented Mr. Tadasu Kawano, Team Coach. “Ms. Ito is an ideal role model for other team members. She understands the data very well. Her physical abilities may be compared unfavorably with Western and African competitors, but her perseverance will surely lead her through the competition for medals.” Ms. Ito joined Otsuka’s Track & Field Team, envisioning becoming a world-class athlete after she started running during her high school years. During the daytime away from track & field, Ms. Ito plays an important role in quality assurance at Otsuka Pharmaceutical Factory, Inc., and she finds pleasure in contributing to the wellbeing of people and patients around the world. “You can find many world-class athletes on the Otsuka Pharmaceutical Track & Field Team. We have an environment here that supports international competition,” says Ms. Ito. “I anticipated the Beijing World Championships race would be held in hot and harsh conditions, so I concentrated on not dragging fatigue after my rehearsals. I communicated actively with the staff members supporting me, to make sure my condition was monitored from all angles. What I have experienced during training for this marathon is an asset, and it will most certainly help me in conditioning towards the Rio de Janeiro Olympics to bring out the best performance of my career and to run in the top tier.” On August 30, the same day that Mai Ito confirmed her place at the Olympics, a younger athlete from Otsuka’s team made a bright debut in Japan. Yui Okada, who joined Otsuka 4 years ago, championed in her very first full marathon in Hokkaido. This was her second victory following a winning run in a half marathon, also her first time competing at that distance. “If there is anything I am uncertain of, I ask. I ask my teammates and dietitian what I should be doing to take care of myself. At Otsuka, I get the support I need to improve myself,” says the young debutante. Otsuka’s younger generation athletes are striving for world-class results, and Otsuka Track & Field Team is proud of supporting promising young athletes through its vast knowledge and experience of wellbeing.  

Read the full article with photos at: https://www.otsuka.co.jp/en/company/globalnews/detail.php?id=220&date=2015-05-21 In ‘the city of sizzling woks’ with over 12,000 restaurants to dine at, you cannot avoid the scrumptious cooking aromas at any street corner. Hong Kong is a world-renowned gourmet paradise for its creative East-meets-West culinary delicacies, and for the accessibility there to imported foods from around the world. Some of the culinary pleasures of being in Hong Kong are exemplified by being able to relish a Cantonese breakfast and Mediterranean lunch, indulge in a treat with British-style afternoon tea, feast on French full course dinner followed by a midnight snack with Japanese munchies, all in one day.   Worrying about sugar and fat intake is the last thing you would want to do while enjoying your epicurean adventure in Hong Kong, which is why Otsuka’s first overseas launch of Kenja-no-shokutaku (The Wise Man’s Dining) Double Support in Hong Kong offers health-conscious gourmets a new option to curb absorption of sugar and lipids from deluxe diet, and thereby reducing the rise in blood glucose levels and triglycerides after meals. It comes in flavorless, odorless powder form which can be dissolved in any mealtime beverages or soup without affecting their flavor.(More product details in Chinese can be read here at a local website: www.wisemansdining.hk)   Today, as more than a third of Hong Kong’s residents are classified overweight or obese, consumers are seeking out healthier foods and beverages to use on a daily basis, which accounts for the rapid expansion of the city’s diet-oriented foods market. Higher health awareness also influence people to choose functional products, such as sports and energy drinks, to promote a more active lifestyle as a way to avoid weight gain.   In the spring of 2015, Otsuka launched two more nutraceutical products in Hong Kong, which were presented at a media event held in late May, featuring actress Ms. Myolie Wu, and an internationally active dietitian, Ms. Mylene Khoo, both whom are well known icons of well-being.   RONAMIN C drink is one of the three items launched and it marks its 50th year anniversary back in Japan where it originates. At the event, Ms. Myolie Wu expressed how happy she was to be able to enjoy the made-in-Japan ORONAMIN C again in her homeland, which she was fond of during her residence in Japan. The 120ml flavorful carbonated drink fortified with the vitamin C equivalent of 11 lemons, vitamin B-complex and other nutritional elements, has been refreshing and energizing people of all ages for half a century. (Energizing tips of ORONAMIN C in Chinese can be read here at a local website: www.oronaminc.hk) A perennial taste combo favorite, ‘Almond & Chocolate’ flavor, joined the SOYJOY line-up in Hong Kong. Chewy baked bar SOYJOY is made from 100% soybean flour and contains no wheat. The passionate team from Otsuka Pharmaceutical in Hong Kong will continue awareness building campaigns of the benefits of including low glycemic index foods in healthy diets, through the marketing of SOYJOY in various fruit and nut. (For more information on Low Glycemic Index, a numerical indication of how much your blood glucose level rises after a meal, visit our English webpage “Everything You Need to Know about GI”. Local SOYJOY product information in Chinese can be read here: www.soyjoy.hk) The recent splashy debuts of Otsuka’s nutraceutical products demonstrate how the company’s belief in innovating nutritional products with scientific backing is taking root in Hong Kong. With almost two decades of experience in the city with pharmaceutical business too and therefore a strong presence in the local medical industry, Otsuka is hoping to touch the heartstrings of many more health conscious people in Hong Kong.  

Read the full article with photos at: https://www.otsuka.co.jp/en/company/globalnews/detail.php?id=217&date=2015-04-05 Otsuka is proud to be the lead supporter of the National Conference of State Societies’ (NCSS) 67th Cherry Blossom Festival events, including their flagship Cherry Blossom Princess Program. Otsuka has pledged its recurring support to the NCSS Cherry Blossom Events for three consecutive years, to demonstrate the company’s commitment to empowering young women to aspire to accomplish their goals and become the leaders of the next generation. The National Cherry Blossom Festival is held in Washington, DC each spring, commemorating the gift of the cherry blossom trees, which symbolizes the friendship between the peoples of the United States and Japan. The cherry trees were first gifted to Washington, DC in 1912 from Mayor Yukio Ozaki of Tokyo. 2015 marks the 100th anniversary of the United States’ reciprocal gift of flowering dogwood trees to the people of Japan. For Otsuka, as a Japanese company with operations in the United States, supporting an event that commemorates this enduring friendship is especially appropriate. William M. Christian, the President of NCSS complimented Otsuka, noting, “NCSS is proud to have continuously administered the Cherry Blossom Princess program, including the US Cherry Blossom Queen, since 1948. We are particularly grateful for the support of our chief sponsor, Otsuka America Pharmaceuticals, Inc. With our shared ties to the Japanese culture, Otsuka is a natural partner for the NCSS, and this collaboration portends the continued success of our iconic program of empowering young women and promoting cultural exchange." The Cherry Blossom Princess Program has been held annually since 1948, with the mission of “Aspiring Leadership and Empowering Young Women.” The program offers young women from across the US and around the world the opportunity to participate in community outreach, personal development, educational, leadership, cultural and networking activities. Otsuka’s support to the NCSS’ Cherry Blossom Festival events inspires the many activities for the Princesses, which promote personal growth and foster leadership. Former Cherry Blossom Princesses include US Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, US Senator Shelley Moore Caputo of West Virginia, and Lynda Johnson Robb, the former First Lady of Virginia and daughter of former US President Lyndon B. Johnson. These accomplished women are a testament to the program’s success in encouraging young women to achieve the highest caliber of success.      

Read the full story with photos at: http://www.otsuka.co.jp/en/company/globalnews/detail.php?id=221&date=2015-08-13   Otsuka Australia Pharmaceutical (OAP) opened its first Australian office in Sydney in April, 2015. Kangaroos & koalas, the Great Barrier Reef and shiraz wine are some of the more familiar images of Australia to people elsewhere in the world, but there is much more in this continental country of more than 23 million people. Australia is home to world class science, and a collaborative research environment that has made life sciences one of the biggest and most rapidly evolving industry. Like other developed countries, Australia’s population is gradually aging and experiencing a rise in chronic illnesses, including mental disorders. These were some of the factors that led Otsuka to put down stakes in Australia for the long term. Otsuka is seeking to apply constructive approaches to these challenges, to meet the unsatisfied health needs in Australia and neighboring countries. How Otsuka’s direct presence in Australia will make a difference Rather than being bound by industry customs and trying to compete head-to-head with everyone else, Otsuka has consistently drawn on original thinking. OAP has started its operation with a focus on central nervous system disorders – an area which includes conditions such as schizophrenia, where patients in Australia await better treatments. Nick Malik, Sales and Marketing Manager, CNS portfolio noted, “Schizophrenia and other mental illnesses continue to be a burden on too many Australian families. Otsuka is a leading firm in the challenging area of mental health, and our experienced and dedicated team at OAP, together with our alliance partner Lundbeck, are eager to help improve the lives of people with mental illness in Australia.” The head office is in Chatswood, an area in proximity to the beautiful beaches of Sydney’s north coast, and the world famous Sydney Harbour Bridge. In keeping with Otsuka's heritage, employees have been learning Japanese and embracing the subtle cultural and business differences. It goes without saying the team enjoys Japanese cuisine at every opportunity. “We are proud to become part of the healthcare community here in Australia and beyond in Oceania.” says Masamitsu Kitada, Managing Director of OAP. “Otsuka’s presence aligns the company’s extensive global experiences with the rich and diverse local cultures and customs in Australia. With dream and passion, our mission is to deliver better treatments and outcomes to patients in the region through Otsuka’s original and innovative products.”

Read the full story with photos at: https://www.otsuka.co.jp/en/company/globalnews/2015/0311_01.html   Ms. Mai Ito, a member of the Otsuka Pharmaceutical Track & Field Team, has been selected to represent Japan in the women’s marathon event at the 15th IAAF World Championships in Athletics to be held in Beijing. The marathon will be on August 30, 2015. This will be her second time to compete in the World Championships in Athletics, after participating in the 2011 competition. Top 2 in Nagoya Women’s Marathon paved the way At the Nagoya Women’s Marathon, a qualifying event for Japan’s national team going to the IAAF World Championships in Athletics, Ms. Ito finished with a personal best time of 2 hours, 24 minutes, 42 seconds. Despite this excellent result Ms. Ito said, “Not achieving my goal of placing first among the Japanese runners was frustrating.” At the World Championships in Athletics, she is aiming to be the best runner from Japan, and after that, to make a mark on the world stage. “To accomplish that, I want to properly build on my training starting now, so I can give it my all at the World Championships,” she said, expressing her aspirations going forward. Mai Ito’s journey to being selected for the World Championships Being highly ambitious and training for competitions based on a scientific approach is a key feature of the Otsuka Pharmaceutical Track & Field Team. Upon hearing that Ms. Mai Ito would compete in the World Championships in Athletics as she had hoped, team coach Mr. Tadasu Kawano commended her: “She is an athlete who always aspires to go higher, and is keenly aware of what it takes to compete—that attitude is her strength.” Ms. Ito ordinarily works at the Otsuka Pharmaceutical Factory, where she is involved in quality control procedures. Her main duties include handling documents and inspecting product appearance. As an employee of a pharmaceutical company, Ms. Ito has an important role in ensuring that high-quality products are provided to patients and consumers who care about maintaining good health. Regarding the Otsuka Pharmaceutical Track & Field Team she said, “I can train for competitions with a lot of motivation because the team provides me with an environment that helps me become stronger.” The team helps Ms. Ito perform at her best by managing her physical condition based on various kinds of data and by making use of scientifically-based products. 25 Years of Track & Field Team History The Otsuka Pharmaceutical Track & Field Team was founded in 1990. As a basic principle, it strives to develop athletes so they can succeed not only in Japan but also internationally. As of April 2015, it consists of a men’s team of 17 athletes (including the team coach, who is also a member), a women’s team of 10 members, and a staff of eight. It is based in Naruto City, Tokushima Prefecture, which is the birthplace of the Otsuka Group. In the past, the team’s members have competed in international tournaments, including some of the world’s most competitive marathons. In Japan, the members of the men’s team regularly participate in the country’s premiere running events, such as the New Year Ekiden, while members of the women’s team compete in long-distance events like relays and race walking.

Read the full story with photos at: Otsuka working Towards Overcoming Tuberculosis On March 24th – World TB Day – we are reminded of the 9 million people who become infected with tuberculosis (TB) every year, their challenges and their hope for cure. We at Otsuka remember this every day. It is the driving force behind our commitment to discovering new tools to eliminate TB in our lifetime. As the world’s leading private investor in TB research and development, it has been our goal for the past 40 years to find new, effective solutions to eliminating this disease that claims 1.5 million lives a year. We know that TB can affect anyone, anywhere in the world. That is why this year, we focus on those who are truly on the front lines of this disease – the healthcare workers, the patients, and their families. Each day this week we will profile stories of those who are making a difference in this fight and the inspiration they provide to others here. People such as Dasha and Grisha Lavrushiny, a young married couple from Russia, who have both struggled with TB, including the extensively-drug resistant form of it, but in the end have won the battle. Today, they are helping others receive correct diagnosis and treatment. Li Lulu, a young mother from China, developed TB meningitis, a particularly dangerous type of TB, right after giving birth. The encouragement and support of her family had given her the strength needed to complete treatment and today she is cured. The support of loved ones and the dedication of healthcare workers on the frontlines of the battle, such as Stuart Pancho, a registered nurse from the Philippines who leads trainings for other healthcare workers. The personal bonds they have established with their patients have proven essential to their treatment success. Though treatment for TB may be complicated and lengthy, it is a curable disease. Yet an estimated 3 million people a year go undiagnosed or untreated. Much progress remains to be done until every person is correctly diagnosed, treated and cured. We at Otsuka are committed to continuing our efforts so that, ultimately, we can live in a world free from TB.

Read the full story with photos at: http://www.otsuka.co.jp/en/company/globalnews/2015/0227_01.html   The late chairman of Otsuka Holdings, Akihiko Otsuka (who died in November 2014), has posthumously received the 18th Princess Chichibu Memorial Award for Distinguished Service to Tuberculosis Elimination. This award honors individuals and organizations that have made great achievements in tuberculosis prevention. The ceremony was held on February 27, 2015 at the 66th national convention of the Japan Anti-Tuberculosis Association, and Otsuka Holdings Vice Chairman Ichiro Otsuka accepted the award in place of the late Chairman Akihiko Otsuka. History of Princess Chichibu Memorial Award The Japan Anti-Tuberculosis Association holds a national convention every year on March 24, World Tuberculosis Day. In addition, at the bequest of Princess Chichibu, who served as president of the Anti-Tuberculosis Association for more than half a century, the Princess Chichibu Memorial Tuberculosis Prevention Awards were established to memorialize her name and to honor individuals and organizations from Japan and abroad that have made significant contributions to tuberculosis prevention. Each year, on the day of the national convention, the awards are presented with Her Imperial Highness Princess Akishino, association president in attendance.  During the 1960s, when the tuberculosis epidemic in developed Western countries subsided, interest in development of anti-tuberculosis drugs withered rapidly even though the disease continued to spread in developing countries. Akihiko Otsuka, who became president of Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. in the 1970s, realized that tuberculosis was the most serious among Asian health problems, and concluded that the development of more powerful anti-TB drugs was of critical importance for Asian pharmaceutical companies. Following the founding of company’s first drug R&D lab in 1971, he overcame company-internal resistance to make significant investments over the next 30 years as the company continued R&D on anti-TB drugs. As a result, Deltyba® (delamanid is the generic name) was discovered in 2002, and went on to receive regulatory approval in Japan and Europe in 2014 as a new anti-tuberculosis drug. This innovation arrived 40 years following Rifampicin, the first anti-tuberculosis drug, and 55 years following the discovery of kanamycin in Japan in 1958. The development of delamanid, a drug that has shed considerable light on the treatment of previously intractable multidrug-resistant tuberculosis, and which has significant future potential in the treatment of this serious medical condition, was a manifestation of the company leadership’s clear intent and strong mission. Otsuka Holdings Representative Director and Vice Chairman Ichiro Otsuka commented, “On the occasion of receiving of this prestigious award, I extend my heartfelt thanks on behalf of my late father. We are gratified that it is useful for the treatment of patients around the world who suffer from multidrug-resistant tuberculosis, as this is a fulfillment of the Otsuka Group’s corporate philosophy to contribute to the health of the world’s people." Otsuka Pharmaceutical has launched a new anti-tuberculosis drug in Japan and Europe for treating multidrug-resistant tuberculosis, which is a public health issue that has become a global threat. In the future, we will continue working to achieve our long-term goal of worldwide elimination of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis.

Read the original story with photos at: https://www.otsuka.co.jp/en/company/globalnews/2015/0222_01.html Otsuka has supported the Tokyo Marathon, one of the largest city marathons in Asia, for 9 years in a row, since its inception. This year's running of the Tokyo Marathon was held on February 22. The Otsuka Group, a total health care company that handles everything from functional foods and beverages to human pharmaceuticals, provided 36,000 runners rehydration and nutritional assistance, and was the first single corporate group to do so in the history of the Tokyo Marathon. Tokyo Marathon is one of the six largest and most renowned marathons in the world, and only one Asian race to be recognized as such. 113 countries and regions participated in this year’s marathon, with about 5,000 foreign participants (14% of total runners). The most athlete participants came from Taiwan, with 1,367. POCARI SWEAT is now available in 18 countries and regions making it a very familiar and trusted brand for worldwide athletes participating in this international event. In a marathon, when each runner's body is pushed hard for an extended length of time, it is extremely important to get adequate hydration and nutrition before, during, and after the race in order to prevent the body from becoming depleted of water and nutrition and to ensure that the race can be finished safely. Based on research conducted by Otsuka's own Sports Nutrition Institute, Otsuka Pharmaceuticals provided the runners with various products before the race (Amino-Value, providing BCAA), during the race (POCARI SWEAT, providing water and electrolytes), and after the race (Calorie Mate, providing 5 major nutrients, including protein and sugars). Otsuka provided water and nutritional replenishment to 36,000 runners from around the world both at the EXPO and on the day of the race. Early in the morning, with a light rain falling, around twenty Otsuka employees, along with volunteers, prepared Amino-Value and Calorie Mate Jelly for runners before the start of the race in order to provide them with the amino acid BCAA and 5 major nutrients. At stations along the course, runners received POCARI SWEAT to provide them with well known water and electrolytes. In the marathon, when the runners were sweating even in the cold, those runners who remained adequately hydrated were able to perform their best and complete the circuit around Tokyo. Runners who crossed the finish line were handed packages of Calorie Mate to allow them to easily replenish their depleted stores of 5 major nutrients.  

Read the full story with photos at: https://www.otsuka.co.jp/en/company/globalnews/2015/0130_01.html 25th Asia Business Conference Mr. Daesik Eom, Senior Operating Officer at Otsuka Pharmaceutical was invited to speak at the University of Michigan’s 25th Asia Business Conference in US which has brought leaders of Asia and multinational companies together to discuss, debate, and dialogue about trends in Asia. Otsuka Pharmaceutical was invited among other world class companies to be part of the conference because of its successful and sound global business recognized in the US as well as throughout the Asia-Pacific countries. Past conferences have featured speakers from multinational corporations such as Google, Yahoo, Ford Motors, Logic Solutions, DoCoMo, Merrill Lynch, Johnson & Johnson, Mitsubishi Motors, General Motors, Shell, Nike, Satyam, Morgan Stanley, Dow Chemical, Baxter Healthcare and Pfizer. Mr. Eom spoke at one of the regional panels on Japan, introducing Otsuka Pharmaceutical as a global company with a goal of “creating new products for better health worldwide” Born in South Korea, he graduated from the Department of Forest Sciences, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, at Seoul National University. He then joined Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. At the age of 35, he became President and Representative Director of Korea Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. He was the youngest president for a pharmaceutical company in Korea at that time. Accomplished a great achievement in Korea, he moved to Japan and works for Otsuka Pharmaceutical as his current position in Japan.

Read the full story with photos at: https://www.otsuka.co.jp/en/company/globalnews/2015/0129_01.html FoodState is a whole food supplement company based in Derry, New Hampshire. Since its founding in 1973, FoodState has become an innovator in whole food based supplements and has been recognized for great products and strong brands in the natural and healthcare practitioner channels. One aspect that sets FoodState apart from the competition is its approach to creating nutrients by starting with fresh or frozen whole foods - the focus of its leading brands, MegaFoodTM and INNATE Response FormulasTM. For MegaFoodTM, everything starts with real farm-fresh fruits, vegetables and botanicals that are used as the base for the brand’s dietary supplements. The tagline “fresh from farm to tablet” means fresh and local foods are sourced from trusted farmers, and then the nutrients and wholesome supplements are made using a one-of-a-kind, proprietary Slo-Food ProcessTM. As part of this unique approach, FoodState’s MegaFoodTM and INNATE Response FormulasTM, are recognized leaders in their respective channels and known for several key differentiators, including partnering with organic and sustainable farms to source fresh and local foods, and purchasing approximately 500,000 pounds of produce a year from farmers. FoodState mills and purees whole foods, then integrates additional nutrients to guarantee potency levels. This integration of whole foods and individual nutrients is then dried with the utmost care using refractance window drying technology, also part of the Slo-Food ProcessTM. The Slo-Food ProcessTM is a slower way of making whole food supplements. It can take 236 hours to make just one batch of finished product. Each and every step, from farm to tablet, was designed with one ultimate goal in mind—to create supplements that make a noticeable difference on consumers’ journey toward optimal health while staying true to the intention of food. The FoodState team hand crafts each and every product in their own facility right down to the hand-packing of bottles for shipment.

Read the full story with photos at: https://www.otsuka.co.jp/en/company/globalnews/2015/0121_01.html Otsuka America Pharmaceutical, Inc. (OAPI), its alliance partner Lundbeck, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, and the National Council for Behavioral Health joined in two years ago to organizeConnect 4 Mental Health®. It is an initiative that aims to help communities throughout the United States implement local approaches that provide additional support for those with serious mental illness. Connect 4 Mental Health (C4MH) encourages community-based organizations, such as emergency services, law enforcement, and public housing, to work with mental healthcare providers and advocates to develop programs that support the estimated 6% of Americans living with serious mental illness. “Our hope is that Connect 4 Mental Health will ignite a movement inspiring individuals and organizations to collaborate in order to help improve the lives of people with mental illness, one community at a time,” said Donna Erwin, Director, Advocacy and Policy, OAPI. C4MH has identified four areas of focus that may help communities address mental illness locally: 1) Early Intervention, 2) Creative Use of Technology, 3) Integration of Services, and 4) Continuity of Care. To recognize organizations that have shown good examples of work in these areas, C4MH implemented a ‘Community Innovation Awards’ program. Winners received a 10,000 USD award and access to a one-on-one mentorship program. The winning organizations chosen for the 2014 awards: Early Intervention: NAMI of Collier County (Naples, Florida) Creative Use of Technology: Crisis Text Line (New York City) Continuity of Care: Charleston Dorchester Mental Health Center (Charleston & Summerville, South Carolina) Service Integration: Robert Young Center (Moline, Illinois)

Read the full story with photos at: https://www.otsuka.co.jp/en/company/globalnews/2015/0116_02.html Otsuka’s commitment to fight TB Infectious disease experts from around the world gathered in Okinawa, Japan in mid-January for the second Nikkei Asian Infectious Diseases conference. Otsuka signaled its ongoing commitment to the fight against TB by again co-sponsoring the conference. Game changers Asia, which accounts for more than two-thirds of the world’s TB burden, clearly must be at the center of the goal to defeat TB globally. The introduction of a new drug for multidrug-resistant TB, as well as1new technologies to diagnose TB and its drug-resistant strains, are perceived as potential “game changers” in the fight against TB in the region. However, one prominent specialist present noted that a badly designed MDR-TB program may actually cause more harm than having no program at all, citing the need for high-quality drug sensitivity testing and precise follow-up with patients. This mixture of new optimism and renewed concern about TB prompted the event organizers to select TB as a key theme of the conference. TB drug development needs to be simpler Hiroshi Ishikawa, Ph.D. (right) Fellow, Medicinal Chemistry at Otsuka, who was one of the key members of the Otsuka team that developed the drug delamanid, spoke with stirring passion at the conference about the scale of the challenge involved in creating a new TB drug. It included the study of over 14,000 compounds across two decades, something that a single chemist could not hope to accomplish in 100 years. With an eye toward the future he noted that TB drug development will need to be simpler to reduce costs and facilitate broader access by patients. Dr. Ishikawa also drew the attention of the audience to broader issues in the fight against TB. One is the need for improved diagnostics, especially kits that can rapidly measure TB bacilli susceptibility to drugs and biomarkers that can differentiate active from latent cases. Max Yoshitake (left), Leader, Global TB Team was called on by one of the session moderators for his insights on issues such as latent TB, which is present in over 30% of the world’s population. Mr. Yoshitake noted that one important challenge for Otsuka and others will be to shorten the duration of treatment to just a couple of months. Overall, a sense of cautious optimism filled the conference room. This was suggested by the nearly 45% decline in the TB mortality from 1990 to 2013, partly due to the DOTS (Directly Observed Treat Short Course) and Stop TB strategies. Looking forward, new diagnostics and drugs to treat the most difficult forms of the disease also hold promise. But no one was ready to say that the victory over TB, a disease as old as humanity itself, is near at hand.

Read the full story with photos at: https://www.otsuka.co.jp/en/company/globalnews/2015/0116_01.html Otsuka Pharmaceutical Europe Ltd. (OPEL) has been recognized by Cambridge University as an employer that positively encourages diversity, integrity and innovation by encouraging our employees to be creative and to think unconventionally. Selection process During the ‘Employers of Choice’ selection process, Cambridge University shortlisted 60 employers out of 400, focusing on their commitment to a set of procedures and values including: engagement; talent management; providing opportunities for learning & development; diversity; a commitment to wellness and sustainability, governance and transparency. ‘The secret to nurturing fruitful growth – dare to be different’ Otsuka Europe’s selection as an ‘Employers of Choice’ by the University has resulted in an article entitled ‘The secret to nurturing fruitful growth – dare to be different’ in the prestigious ‘Cambridge: Inspiring Leadership & Innovation’ publication. This publication is widely circulated, both in a printed and e-book format, to over 20,000 Cambridge students, members of the Cambridge Alumni association, UK and government departments, more than 30,000 educational establishments, 17,000 higher and further education institutions worldwide, international accreditation bodies and other global business audiences. This article focuses on Otsuka’s history and growth, our creative and innovative approach, as well as, highlighting some of the key differences between Otsuka and other pharmaceutical and nutraceutical companies. ‘We’ve never been afraid to do things differently, which sets us apart in the marketplace and helps us stand out.’ Ole Vahlgren, CEO & President – Otsuka Europe.

Read the full story with photos at: https://www.otsuka.co.jp/en/company/globalnews/2014/1219_01.html Nutraceuticals are one of Otsuka Pharmaceutical's core businesses, and include products such as POCARI SWEAT and Calorie Mate that were developed based on scientific principles in order to improve people's health. The Saga Nutraceuticals Research Institute (SNRI) (left) conducts research aimed at developing new products and creating added value for products in a wide range of situations. At the Saga Research Center, in 2014, the 30th anniversary of its founding, the Center renovated its artificial climate chamber. The chamber's temperature and humidity can be controlled with a high level of precision, and can also be used to create a low oxygen environment. As with "exercise and nutrition," the Center's research topics are selected with an eye towards tackling various health issues. In recent years, "women's health" has been added to the list of the Center's areas of focus. The research has found that one of the keys to these benefits are the female hormone-like effects of equol, a product of the metabolism by intestinal bacterial of daidzein, one of the components found in soy isoflavones. Through its research into equol, Otsuka Pharmaceutical became the first in the world to identify lactic acid bacteria that could be used in food products, out of those intestinal bacteria that work to produce equol. EQUELLE is a new soy-based product that helps women maintain and enhance their health, helping them lead a sparkling life during and after the menopausal transition. Major Research Results Reported to Date: ・Recovery of plasma volume through the consumption of ion drinks when dehydrated ・Effects on the intestinal environment of ingesting beverages containing dietary fiber ・Maintaining performance by taking BCAA before exercise ・Water replenishment during long airplane flights ・Effects of a balanced diet on brain function ・The discovery of equol-producing bacteria, and the effects of equal on menopausal women Otsuka Pharmaceutical will continue to conduct cutting-edge research into water and nutrition replenishment in the course of people's daily activities in order to formulate new proposals that can contribute to improved health. Since its inception in 1984, the Saga Research Center has produced a number of products based on novel concepts and information, including EQUELLE, energen, and FIBE-MINI. For more than 30 years, the Saga Research Center has been conducting innovative research with the goal of improving people's health and providing information to people around the world. When the Saga Research Center, which was Japan's first clinical exercise and nutrition research institute, was founded, Mr. Hitoshi Hariu (right), who was involved in the development of Calorie Mate and was a pioneer in the field of "exercise and nutrition," led the effort to found the Center, and was appointed its first director. Mr. Hariu visited universities across Japan based on the thinking that "new fields require new people," and when the Center opened in 1984, it did so with a staff of nine. The second director of the Center was Hideaki Kohri, Ph.D. (left), a pharmaceutical researcher. Dr. Kohri instructed the Center's researchers to travel the world and experience for themselves the ways in which people in other cultures and situations get nutrition. The Center's researchers have formulated and verified various new research hypotheses. On the Center's thirtieth anniversary, Mr. Hitoshi Hariu said, "The strength of Otsuka Pharmaceutical's products lies not only in their image, but also in scientific evidence. I would like our researchers to continue to utilize the Center's unique environment, which encourages wide-ranging research, to develop products that are useful to people around the world." In addition, Dr. Hideaki Kohri said, "Pharmaceutical product research is performed based on when people are at rest. However, both healthy people and patients need activities according to each person's body condition. I would like the Center to take advantage of both the knowledge that is obtained in pharmaceutical research and the experience that is gained in the real world in an attempt to answer the question ‘What kind of activities we should take, when and what type of nutrition we should take?’ to continue to conduct ground-breaking research related to sports and nutrition that can contribute to people's health."  

Read the full story with photos at: https://www.otsuka.co.jp/en/company/globalnews/2014/1204_01.html The 46th Annual Meeting of the Swiss Society of Nephrology (SSN) took place on December 4th and 5th in Interlaken, Switzerland. Over 300 nephrologists, researchers, and nurses, including all the Swiss KOLs attended the meeting which consisted of plenary sessions, oral communications, poster sessions and satellite symposia. New affiliate Otsuka Pharmaceutical (Switzerland) GmbH (OPCH) was present at the meeting with one of the first ADPKD disease awareness booths in Europe. The booth combined elements of the disease awareness campaign, market access, and PAG engagement. Also several leave pieces have been distributed and a survey on patient journey has been carried out with some of the physicians. Attendees of the congress were highly interested to learn more about Otsuka and its engagement in ADPKD. Especially in the lunch breaks the booth was well frequented. The exchange with many attendees has shown that the awareness of ADPKD among Swiss nephrologists is very high and the unmet medical need in this disease is largely recognized. The presence of OPCH with a disease awareness booth marks a successful milestone in the ADPKD awareness campaign. We were able to connect the unmet needs in ADPKD to the commitment of Otsuka, and position OPCH as the new player in the disease area of nephrology in Switzerland. We are looking forward to our presence at the 2015 Swiss Nephrology Congress.

Read the full story with photos at: https://www.otsuka.co.jp/en/company/globalnews/2014/1130_01.html The idea to have Santa visit Tohoku children affected by the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake came when a group of students from Kanto Gakuin University visited a preschool in Kamaishi City in Iwate Prefecture. It was a summer picture book reading event to provide emotional support and relief to the children affected by the natural disaster. At the end of their visit, the children said, “When you come back, bring Santa Claus!” Planned and implemented by the Kanto Gakuin University students in December 2011, the Santa Project was born. This was in collaboration with organizations in Finland, including the traditional choir Belcanto and Santa Claus who is officially approved by Finland’s Santa Claus Village. Since then every year, Santa Claus from Finland visits children in various areas destroyed by the earthquake and tsunami passing out gifts to bring them holiday cheer. The Santa Project receives funding from a wide range of Japanese companies, including Otsuka Pharmaceutical. Volunteer students as well as Otsuka Pharmaceutical employees helped package SOYJOY bars and Calorie Mate in gift bags for Santa to give the children. The Santa Project provides emotional support and relief by promoting exchange events between survivors of the disaster, including children, and people from outside the area, to ensure that the event does not fade from memory. Santa Project volunteers travel with disaster survivors to Okinawa and Niigata, which itself has suffered from earthquake disasters in the past, Hokkaido, and other locations in Japan to promote cultural exchange between the people in these areas and the disaster survivors. Volunteers in the Santa Project hope that it can bring people together so that they can bring each other hope and joy, in the same way that the idea of Santa Claus brings hope and joy to children around the world.

Read the full story with photos at: https://www.otsuka.co.jp/en/company/globalnews/2014/1127_01.html New Office Space For Creative Thinking Otsuka America Pharmaceutical, Inc. (OAPI), and Otsuka Pharmaceutical Development & Commercialization, Inc. (OPDC), recently put the finishing touches on a new, innovative office space in Princeton, New Jersey. The space has been thoughtfully designed with an open floor plan that inspires creativity and facilitates everyone’s ability to connect and collaborate without barriers. Otsuka’s Culture Reflected in Design The unique design of the office reflects Otsuka’s culture, values, and vision. It provides employees with an optimal environment for brainstorming, camaraderie, and teamwork across the two companies. A central, open staircase connects all four floors of the new building to encourage movement between floors and to create a sense of unity across the organization. Individual desks are arranged in a more open floor plan, creating an energizing team atmosphere. In addition, through features such as flexible seating arrangements, meeting rooms of all sizes, open common areas, and a colorful interior décor, the unique workplace design effectively addresses Otsuka’s three main priorities: collaboration, big venture thinking, and innovation. And a large amount of natural light can be found on each of the building’s four levels, a feature that was identified by employees as very important.

Read the full story with photos at: https://www.otsuka.co.jp/en/company/release/2014/1121_01.html Nutrition & Santé Inaugurates New Factory Expanding Production Base of the French Leader in Functional and Dietetic Foods Otsuka Group member Nutrition & Santé (N&S), based in the Midi-Pyrénées region of southern France, is the French leader*1 in health and dietetic food, with a distribution network extending to more than 40 countries. Easy to consume in the midst of a busy urban lifestyle, bar-type nutrition products including Milical are showing steady growth, with sales increasing by approximately 10% year-on-year. A new factory at the company’s site in Revel, France, will produce bar-type nutrition products for the European and Japanese markets. Ninth production facility for the N&S Group will expand production capacity of bar-type items by 1.7 times Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Head office: Tokyo; President: Taro Iwamoto) subsidiary Nutrition & Santé (N&S; Headquarters: Revel, France) has completed construction of a new production facility at N&S Group headquarters in the Midi-Pyrénées region of France. The ninth production facility for the N&S Group, the new factory was inaugurated with a ceremony on November 20, 2014. The new factory strengthens the N&S industrial base by expanding production capacity for Milical and other bar-type nutrition products for the European and Japanese markets. The three existing factories in Revel currently account for approximately one third of N&S production capacity, including all bar-type products. In recent years, protein bars and other diet foods that can be easily consumed in the midst of a busy urban lifestyle are growing in popularity in France, and N&S bar-type products including Milical have posted steady growth of approximately 10% year-on-year. Constructed in response to this demand, the new factory, dedicated to production of bar-type products, will expand production capacity by approximately 1.7 times. Products from the new factory will be distributed in more than 30 countries, including Japan.  

Read the full story with photos at: https://www.otsuka.co.jp/en/company/globalnews/2014/1118_01.html "Mr. Otsuka, you are a true friend of France," said Mr. Charles-Henri Brosseau, the Consul General of the French consulate in Kyoto, Japan, in fluent Japanese, to the late Chairman Akihiko Otsuka* on November 18 of last year. The occasion was a momentous ceremony held at the Rihga Royal Hotel in Osaka to present Mr. Otsuka with the Officer Order of the Legion of Honor on behalf of the President of France.   The Order of the Legion of Honor was established in 1802 by Napoleon Bonaparte. It is France's highest award, and is bestowed in times of peace and war on military personnel and private citizens who have made great contributions to France in areas such as culture, science, industry, business, or creativity. Mr. Otsuka was awarded the Order for his work promoting the Japan-France relationship through his extensive business activities in France over many years. The ceremony consisted of an awards presentation speech by Mr. Charles-Henri Brosseau and then the actual presentation of the award, followed by an acceptance speech by Mr. Otsuka. Everyone present, including top Otsuka Group executives, offered Mr. Otsuka their heartfelt congratulations, and many congratulatory messages were sent to the ceremony by persons not in attendance. Otsuka Holdings President, Mr. Tatsuo Higuchi, opened the banquet that was held following the awards ceremony with a toast "To Chairman Otsuka, and the continued development of the Otsuka Group". Acceptance Speech by Chairman Akihiko Otsuka I am deeply honored to receive, from a representative of the President of France, France's highest award, the Officer Order of the Legion of Honor. I would like to express my sincerest thanks to you all. In our efforts to contribute to the better health of people worldwide, and to continue our evolution into an international total health care company, the Otsuka Group has been actively expanding our business in Europe. Specifically, most of our investments in Europe have been in France, which has become an important base of operations for the Otsuka Group. We feel that we have been rewarded for energetically pursuing new business opportunities in the field of medicine and foods and beverages while retaining our respect for and desire to learn from the traditions and culture of France, in our efforts to help the citizens of France realize the universal desire of people everywhere for improved health. Our business activities in France have played such a prominent role for the Otsuka Group thanks to the support and cooperation of many people, including the government of France, for which we are truly grateful. Thinking back on the history of our operations since their initiation in France to the present day, being chosen to receive this most honorable award fills me with emotion and gratitude. The Otsuka Group intends to continue working to promote creative business activities and to do our utmost to maintain and improve Japan's relationship with France. It is my sincere wish that we can all continue to work together to improve this relationship, and I look forward to your further guidance and encouragement in the future. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Today has been a great honor. Mr. Charles-Henri Brosseau's Introductory Remarks (excerpted) I am honored to stand before you today to present the Officer Order of the Legion of Honor to Mr. Akihiko Otsuka, a leading Japanese industrialist and international businessman – and a close friend of France. Mr. Otsuka's company was founded in 1921 in Tokushima, Japan, and is now one of the most prominent business groups in Japan in the fields of pharmaceuticals, nutrition, and cosmetics. Mr. Otsuka joined the company in 1960. After holding various positions at Otsuka Group companies, he became the President of Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co. in 1976, and in 2008 was appointed the Chairman and CEO of Otsuka Holdings. 2008 was an important year for the relationship between France and the Otsuka Group, as this was the year that Otsuka Pharmaceutical acquired Nutrition et Santé and Alma. The Otsuka Group has made considerable contributions to France's economy and has created many jobs in France. Thanks to Mr. Otsuka, the Otsuka Group has strengthened its French operations, and the Otsuka Group currently employs close to 2500 people in France and is among the leading Japanese investors in France. Otsuka Pharmaceutical's French subsidiary, which markets human pharmaceuticals in France, had only 10 employees when it was founded in 2004, but it now employs eight times that many. In 2006, Otsuka's Abilify received the Prix Galien award, which is given for the development of a pharmaceutical product with groundbreaking therapeutic efficacy. Nutrition et Santé, which was acquired by Otsuka Pharmaceutical in this same year, manufactures functional and nutritional food products. I would like to take this opportunity to once again praise the special relationship France has with the Otsuka Group, a relationship that has resulted in many past success stories, and one that I have no doubt will lead to many successes in the future as well. Mr. Otsuka, you are a true friend of France. This is evident from the Otsuka Group’s enthusiasm for participating in events held by the French Embassy. Otsuka Group senior management has made every effort to forge solid, high-level relationships with French government officials, including the French Ambassador to Japan and officials at the Invest In France Agency. Through the partnership the Otsuka Group has created with French industry, Mr. Otsuka has emphasized two things that the peoples of both of our countries have in common: finding value in work, and the enjoyment of life. The government of France would like to express its gratitude for all the hard work of every Otsuka employee, for your actions as the head of the company, and for the contributions that you have made to foster the relationship between our two countries. Mr. Otsuka, on behalf of the President of France, I hereby award you the Officer Order of the Legion of Honor.  

Read the full story with photos at: https://www.otsuka.co.jp/en/company/globalnews/2014/1105_01.html Otsuka Pharmaceutical's dry eye magazine advertising campaign was awarded the first-place prize in the "Tie-in Campaign – Cosmetics" category of the 57th Japan Magazine Advertising Association Award. The theme of the campaign was “凸凹Eye” which means bumpy surfaced eyes. It focused on "The Eyes of Craftspeople," something for which Japan is renowned for, in order to make it easy to understand that the condition called dry eye is a disease that does not result simply in dry eyes, but caused by the mucosal abnormality on the surface of the eye and making it bumpy. The campaign featured segments on the eyes of active female professionals, along with explanations from ophthalmologists, and ran in magazines with a predominantly middle-aged female readership, a group that is particularly prone to developing dry eye. Otsuka executive Yoshiko Wakana of the Dermatologicals & Ophthalmologicals Sales Department attended the awards ceremony, which was held in Tokyo on November 5, 2014. Otsuka Pharmaceutical conducted an educational campaign on dry eye in various media, including this magazine advertising campaign, internet sites, and television programs. Ms. Wakana said, "I would like to help as many patients who are suffering from dry eye as possible, by providing them with both safe and effective medicines and with high-quality information."

Read the full story with photos at: http://www.otsuka.co.jp/en/company/globalnews/detail.php?id=225&date=2016-02-01 Dr. Gregory Fox from Sydney, Australia was presented the Young Innovator in Tuberculosis Research Award sponsored by Otsuka during the 46th Union World Conference on Lung Health in Cape Town, South Africa in December 2015. Dr. Fox is an Australian respiratory physician and recipient of the CJ Martin Fellowship from the Australian Government. His research focuses on TB case-finding and multidrug-resistant TB in high-burden settings. Dr. Fox was the foundation country director of the Woolcock Institute of Medical Research in Vietnam from 2009 to 2013. During that period, in partnership with the Vietnam National TB Program, he implemented a randomized controlled trial (the ACT2 study), screening over 25,000 people for TB. The project was innovative in its use of randomized controlled trial methodology and electronic tools that were developed especially for the trial and are scalable. Additionally, the project demonstrated the feasibility of centrally coordinated tracing of everyone who has come in contact with a person diagnosed with TB. Currently, Dr. Fox is an investigator on several ongoing public health and clinical studies of TB screening and prevention in Vietnam. He also works as a respiratory physician at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney, Australia. Encouraging Young Researchers for the Continuation of Actions Against TB The Young Innovator in TB Research Award was established through a global partnership between Otsuka Pharmaceutical and The Union. The award is administered by The Union with a grant provided by Otsuka. Award recipients are selected by a panel of experts organised independently by The Union. The purpose of the award is to stimulate the advancement of innovative approaches in TB control and patient care. The award is open to young clinicians who have documented achievements in the formulation and implementation of clinical and operational research in the field of TB or multidrug-resistant TB.

Read the full story with photos at: https://www.otsuka.co.jp/en/company/globalnews/2014/1014_01.html   The Brazilian Health Food Company On August 29, 2014, leading Brazilian health food company Jasmine joined the Otsuka Pharmaceutical group of companies. Jasmine’s head office and main plant are located in Curitiba, a city of three million people in Southern Brazil. In 1990, Mr. Christophe Allain and his wife Rosa established Jasmine which today has become the leading health food company in Brazil. But who is Christophe and why did he create Jasmine? Christophe is the son of European immigrants who arrived in Brazil in the sixties when he was 10 years old. After having worked as a teacher, carpenter and in some multinational companies, Christophe, then 19 years old started his journey studying and practicing macrobiotics and oriental medicine principles, as a student of the great leader and philosopher Mr. Kikuchi Tomio, learning how food has so much influence in every one’s health. Ever since, Christophe continues to practice the principles of macrobiotics, and he still eats brown rice, miso soup and tofu at home, showing his example of healthy living. The beginning of the business happened in an unpretentious way in the 70’s, when Christophe and his wife Rosa started to cook their own macrobiotic food at home and soon were surround by friends who enjoyed having such a delicious and healthy diet. This eventually led to the initiative of opening one of the first macrobiotic restaurants in Brazil, in Campinas near São Paulo. Later on, in 1990 Mr. Christophe decided to start a new business, Jasmine , where he could be consistent with his philosophy of healthy food as a nutritional catalyst in transforming people´s life quality, and offer healthy food to the larger community. Beginning with products such as brown rice, subsequently the company expanded to include many other items such as biscuits and granolas, producing and supplying a wide range of whole grain and organic products to suit the Brazilian consumers. Twenty-five years later, Jasmine has become a reference for the health, organic and functional food industry in Brazil. Jasmine’s main principle is to share the seeds of healthy eating habits, as we believe that eating well is living well. Thus the moto: “Coma bem, viva bem” means exactly this: “Eat well, live well”. More than just healthy food, in addition to the functional benefits, Jasmine wants to motivate a life style change. That is why it seeks to offer products totally focused on providing health, pleasure, beauty and well-being. Therefore, you can say, Jasmine’s values reflect the philosophy and values of the company founder Christophe, who will continue to head the company’s management team. The new partnership with Otsuka Pharmaceuticals, will help Jasmine share the philosophy and benefits of healthy and functional products for a greater number of people in Brazil and abroad.