Research and Development
Cutting-edge Efforts Aimed at Creating New Drugs
The Shinagawa R&D Center, located in Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, comprises several facilities, including the New Research Wing and the Formulation Research Wing. In the Center, four departments—the Research Planning Office, the Drug Discovery Research Department (comprising the Lifestyle Research Section and Synthesis Research Section), the Pharmaceutical Research Department (comprising the Pharmacological Research Section and Pharmacokinetic Research Section) and the Formulation Research Department (comprising the Formulation Research Section, Analytical Research Section, and Cosmetics R&D Section)—conduct research aimed at creating new drugs.
Utilizing Cutting-edge Technologies to Quickly
Respond to the Need for New Drugs That the Times Demand
The Shinagawa R&D Center conducts the research and development activities needed to produce Sato’s pharmaceuticals, OTC drugs, quasi-drugs, cosmetics and foods for specified health uses. The R&D Center pursues research into high value-addition products that are always based on the needs of consumers. Currently, it focuses on five key topics: antifungal agents, wound healing, sarcopenia, ocular diseases and natural remedy research. We are recruiting both experienced mid-career hires and young researchers to further strengthen our drug discovery capabilities, and active research is underway to meet the needs of the medical sector, including new compound synthesis, biological screenings, pharmacological and pharmacokinetic assessments and so forth.
New Chemical Synthesis Research Wing Now Operational
To accelerate chemical synthesis research for low-molecular-weight drug discovery, a building for chemical synthesis research, equipped with cutting-edge facilities, has been newly constructed and became operational in 2025. The new building provides a safe and comfortable environment for research, and the expanded workspace per researcher has significantly improved experimental efficiency.
Looking ahead to further growth in the pharmaceutical business, we are planning the construction of a new building for pharmacological research to strengthen our focus on low-molecular-weight drug discovery and to advance original drug development through unique targets and approaches that set Sato apart from other companies.
New Drug Development Status (Japan)
We are proceeding with the development of medicines for conditions that have limited treatment options available in Japan, through collaboration with overseas corporations.
| Development code | Treatment | Active ingredient | Development stage |
|---|---|---|---|
| SKN-15 | Viral skin disease | New active ingredients (license in) |
Phase Ⅲ clinical study |
| SKE-18 | Inflammatory skin disorder |
New dosage and indications (license in) |
Phase Ⅱ clinical study Preparations underway |
| SKA-19 | Inflammatory skin disorder |
New active ingredients (license in) |
Phase Ⅲ clinical study Preparations underway |
Status of products developed internally
We are actively undertaking collaborative research with several universities, conducting ground-breaking drug discovery by incorporating the latest insights. Currently, we are focusing on five key topics: antifungal agents, wound healing, sarcopenia, ocular diseases and natural remedy research.
| Research status | Area | Research Content |
|---|---|---|
| Evaluation of drug candidates for clinical development | Antifungal agents | Research for the development of next-generation antifungal agents |
| Wound healing | Research for the development of new wound healing drugs |
|
| Ocular disease | Research for the development of new pharmaceuticals for ocular diseases |
|
| Investigation of drug discovery targets | Sarcopenia | Target discovery through disease model studies is underway |
| Investigation of the biological effects of natural remedies | Investigation of natural remedies for incorporation into YUNKER formulas | Research on the mechanisms of, and new findings pertaining to, the biological effects of natural remedies |
