Daiichi Sankyo

Daiichi Sankyo is a global pharmaceutical company headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. The company was founded in 2005 through the merger of two Japanese pharmaceutical companies, Daiichi Pharmaceutical and Sankyo Co. Ltd. Daiichi Sankyo has a strong presence in Japan, as well as in other countries around the world, including the United States, Europe, and Asia.

Daiichi Sankyo's focus is on the research, development, and commercialization of innovative pharmaceutical products in a range of therapeutic areas, including oncology, cardiovascular disease, and rare diseases. The company has a robust pipeline of drugs in development and has been involved in several successful partnerships and collaborations with other pharmaceutical companies and academic institutions.

It is the second-largest pharmaceutical company in Japan. It achieved JPY 981.8 billion in revenue in 2019. The company owns the American biotechnology company Plexxikon, American pharmaceutical company American Regent, German biotechnology company U3 Pharma, and recently sold Ranbaxy Laboratories in India. Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd. is the producer of Benicar (Olmesartan), an angiotensin II receptor antagonist and top selling drug in the U.S. Global sales of Olmesartan in 2013 were 300.2 billion yen.

Daiichi Sankyo was established in 2005 through the merger of Sankyo Company, Limited and Daiichi Pharmaceutical Company, Limited, which were century-old pharmaceutical companies based in Japan. Sankyo Co., Ltd. was founded by Dr. Jokichi Takamine, who patented the isolation of adrenalin. Takamine was also the first president of Sankyo Co., Ltd from March 1913 – July 1922. In 1990, Sankyo acquired Luitpold-Werk Group, a pharmaceutical company based in Munich. 

In 2010, Daiichi Sankyo continued to expand its global presence with several strategic partnerships and acquisitions. The company acquired Plexxikon Inc., a biotechnology company based in California, which brought expertise in small molecule drug discovery and development. Additionally, Daiichi Sankyo formed a strategic partnership with the German pharmaceutical company, UCB, to co-develop and co-promote new drugs for immunology and inflammatory diseases. This partnership allowed Daiichi Sankyo to expand its product portfolio beyond its traditional areas of focus.

In 2010, Daiichi Sankyo continued to expand its global presence with several strategic partnerships and acquisitions. The company acquired Plexxikon Inc., a biotechnology company based in California, which brought expertise in small molecule drug discovery and development. Additionally, Daiichi Sankyo formed a strategic partnership with the German pharmaceutical company, UCB, to co-develop and co-promote new drugs for immunology and inflammatory diseases. This partnership allowed Daiichi Sankyo to expand its product portfolio beyond its traditional areas of focus.

From 2010 to 2015, Daiichi Sankyo faced some challenges. In 2011, the company's top-selling blood pressure medication, Benicar, faced scrutiny over safety concerns, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a warning letter to the company. Daiichi Sankyo also faced declining sales of other key products, leading to a restructuring of the company and a shift in focus to the development of new drugs. Despite these challenges, the company continued to invest in research and development, particularly in the areas of oncology and rare diseases, and made several strategic partnerships and acquisitions to strengthen its pipeline.

In 2019, Luitpold renamed itself after its American Regent brand. American Regent, now based in the United States, is a subsidiary of Daiichi Sankyo.

From 2020 to the present, Daiichi Sankyo has continued to focus on the development of innovative therapies in oncology, cardiovascular disease, and rare diseases. The company received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for several new drugs, including pexidartinib for the treatment of rare tumors and quizartinib for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia. Daiichi Sankyo also announced positive results from clinical trials for several of its drugs in development, including trastuzumab deruxtecan for the treatment of HER2-positive breast cancer.

The mission of Daiichi Sankyo is to contribute to the health and well-being of people around the world through the development and commercialization of innovative pharmaceutical products. The company aims to address unmet medical needs and improve patient outcomes through the research, development, and delivery of new therapies. Daiichi Sankyo is committed to advancing science and technology in the healthcare industry, with a focus on oncology, cardiovascular disease, and rare diseases.

Daiichi Sankyo also recognizes its responsibility to act in a socially and environmentally responsible manner. The company aims to minimize its environmental impact, promote diversity and inclusion in the workplace, and contribute to the communities in which it operates.

The vision of Daiichi Sankyo is to become a "Global Pharma Innovator with a Competitive Advantage in Oncology." This means that the company aims to be a leader in the development and commercialization of innovative oncology therapies that address unmet medical needs and improve patient outcomes. Daiichi Sankyo's vision is to be a company that is known for its scientific and technological expertise, its commitment to patients and their families, and its contributions to society as a whole.

To achieve this vision, Daiichi Sankyo is focused on building a strong pipeline of innovative drugs in oncology and other therapeutic areas, developing strategic partnerships and collaborations with other companies and academic institutions, and investing in cutting-edge research and development capabilities. The company is also committed to fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration within its organization and to promoting a diverse and inclusive workplace that attracts and retains top talent. 

Daiichi Sankyo offers a range of products and services in the pharmaceutical industry, including:

Pharmaceuticals: The company develops and markets prescription drugs for a variety of therapeutic areas, including oncology, cardiovascular disease, and rare diseases.

Biosimilars: Daiichi Sankyo produces biosimilar drugs, which are designed to be similar to existing biologic drugs but at a lower cost.

Diagnostics: The company offers diagnostic tests for infectious diseases, such as influenza and tuberculosis.

Contract manufacturing: Daiichi Sankyo provides contract manufacturing services for other pharmaceutical companies.

Research and development: The company invests heavily in research and development to discover and develop new drugs for unmet medical needs.

Clinical trial management: Daiichi Sankyo manages clinical trials for its own drugs as well as for other companies.

Digital health: The company is exploring the use of digital health technologies, such as artificial intelligence and machine learning, to improve patient outcomes.

Some of the specific products and brands offered by Daiichi Sankyo include:

LIXIANA (edoxaban), an oral anticoagulant for the prevention of stroke and systemic embolism in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation and for the treatment of venous thromboembolism.
TRINTELLIX (vortioxetine), an antidepressant for the treatment of major depressive disorder.
ENHERTU (fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki), a drug for the treatment of HER2-positive breast cancer.

DS-8201 (trastuzumab deruxtecan), a drug for the treatment of HER2-positive breast cancer and other solid tumors.
PEXIDARTINIB (PLX3397), a drug for the treatment of tenosynovial giant cell tumor (TGCT).
BEVESPI AEROSPHERE (glycopyrrolate/formoterol fumarate), an inhaler for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).