Sato Pharmaceutical's ethical pharmaceutical activities will focus on improving its own R&D strength, reinforce its main products, develop new pharmaceutical products and continue to take on new niche markets. The company has long had particular strength in dermatology, and, to further penetrate the hospital market, plans to strengthen its ethical pharmaceuticals sales organization.

Using special strength in dermatology to further expand efforts
in the hospital market

The medical business environment in Japan today is experiencing great change, with the country's large- and mid-size manufacturers in a period of industry reorganization and faced with increasingly aggressive foreign players, changes in the medical insurance system and major promotion of generic drugs. In this environment, Sato is carefully considering its ethical pharmaceuticals business activities, and plans to further expand its dermatology lineup while also moving into new niche markets.

Sato rst entered the dermatology ld in 1978, when it began sales of the urea skin-care preparation Pastaron; the field has since become an area of specialization for the company. Further strengthening its position in the eld with the sales of acne medicine Dalacin T Gel 1%, and the new Bonalfa series, demonstrated Sato's focus on unique, original pharmaceutical products. With the success of these dermatology products, Sato has restructured its medical sales organization, aiming at better approaching the hospital market while strengthening its overall sales strength. Sato has also moved actively into other niche markets such as orphan drugs―treatments for rare diseases.

Dalacin T Gel 1%: the new standard in acne care

Dalacin T Gel 1%, an acne medication making use of a combination of phosphoric acid and clindamycin phosphate, stems from cooperation with Pfizer, and was first available for sale in Japan in September 2002. This combination of ingredients was first given approval in the US in 1987, and has since become a standard acne treatment around the globe. Introduced in Japan rather late compared to the West, it has had a major impact on acne treatment. A lotion formulation has been developed as well, and went on sale from the beginning of 2010―one more step in our search for the best drug delivery system, one responding to different patient skin conditions and other factors.

Using original technologies and ideas for new drug development
and entry into new areas

Sales began in February, 2008 for Debrisan Paste, a wound and burn treatment. By creating a paste form of what had formerly been a powder, treatment performance was improved, and the product given high marks by professionals. Clinical testing is also proceeding smoothly on a new local skin anesthetic, which shows good anesthetic effect even on skin that previously did not show good results. In January 2009, sales began of Thyrogen, a recombinant form of human thyroid stimulating hormone used in thyroid cancer diagnosis, and an orphan drug. University hospitals and other large-scale facilities were early introducers of this product which allows for thorough diagnosis and follow-up of the disease.

Stronger strategic alliances and sales staff cultivation

While strengthening its own ethical pharmaceuticals development skills, Sato knows that training of its sales staff is a critically important issue. The company naturally has its own production skills, particularly in the pathologies of dermatology-related diseases; Sato is introducing an educational system and training to ensure that sales professionals have the knowledge required to do their jobs. At the same time, the company is actively moving into joint introductions of new products, co-marketing and other activities with domestic and international companies.