The Chugai Group's mission is to dedicate itself to adding exceptional value through the creation of innovative medical products and services for the benefit of the medical community and human health around the world. Consistent with this mission, our employees are committed to delivering value for patients in everything they do. Our mission statement also makes it clear that as a most important member of the Roche group, we aim to become a top Japanese pharmaceutical company by providing a continuous flow of innovative new medicines domestically and internationally, conducting our business with a strong belief that all innovation should be for the benefit of patients.
Since forming a strategic alliance with Roche in 2002, Chugai has substantially increased sales and profits, and established leading positions in its strategic fields of oncology, renal diseases, and bone and joint diseases. With the growth of the Company, expectations from our stakeholders have also risen and our responsibility to society has increased.
In 2010, we filed for approval of additional indications for products in the fields of oncology, bone and joint diseases, and infectious diseases. Our development projects advanced steadily, further enhancing our well-stocked pipeline. We are positioning personalized healthcare, which involves developing comprehensive treatment approaches tailored to each patient, as a pillar of our business. Our focus is on areas of unmet medical needs, where there is still great demand for new drugs and better treatments.
Chugai is also playing a leading role in the advancement of cancer treatment in Japan. As part of our effort to help establish standards of care and ensure equitable access to cancer care for patients throughout the country, we established the Chugai Academy for Advanced Oncology in October 2009. This academy allows us to contribute from a standpoint that is different from our usual business activities.
To fulfill our social responsibility, we have established and practice the Chugai Business Conduct Guidelines (Chugai BCG), a code of behavior for Chugai Group employees. We have been conducting various awareness programs, including training on corporate ethics and human rights, to familiarize all employees with the Chugai BCG.
Since medicines are closely connected to human life, pharmaceutical companies are required to uphold the highest ethical standards. Chugai abides by the Pharmaceutical Affairs Law and all other laws related to pharmaceutical companies, as well as voluntary standards such as the voluntary promotion code established by the Japanese pharmaceutical industry and a fair competition agreement covering the manufacture and sale of pharmaceuticals. We also fulfill our responsibilities as a pharmaceutical company by taking thorough measures to ensure product quality, efficacy and safety, and using appropriate methods to provide, collect and disseminate drug information accurately and promptly.
The Chugai Group contributes to society through activities focused in the areas of healthcare, welfare, education, local communities and the environment.
In 2010, we carried out a variety of charity events related to healthcare and welfare. These included open seminars and symposiums to raise awareness on disease prevention and treatment, donation of specially equipped welfare vehicles for the 26th consecutive year, and participation in the Roche Children's Walk to support children who have lost parents to AIDS in the Republic of Malawi, Africa.
Educational activities included co-sponsorship of the Summer Biotech-Lab for Kids and the Mirai Club Science Cafe sponsored by the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation (Miraikan) to foster an interest in science among children who will lead the next generation.
We also conducted various activities to contribute to local communities. For example, we donated funds to establish an endowed chair at a university and held cleanup campaigns in the neighborhoods surrounding Chugai Group facilities and sites.
In environmental activities, the Chugai Group revised its previous targets in 2010 in line with the new targets set for the Roche Group. The new target for the Chugai Group is a 10 percent reduction in energy consumption per employee in 2014 compared with 2009 levels. We were one of the first pharmaceutical companies in Japan to begin introducing hybrid vehicles in 2003. As of the end of 2010, we had 702 hybrids, accounting for 37 percent of the leased vehicles used by medical representatives (MRs). We also introduced all-electric vehicles on a trial basis. In addition, the Kamakura site received a certificate of commendation from the government of Kanagawa Prefecture in recognition of its environmental improvement measures.
We will continue working to realize our vision of being a company that provides innovative medical products and services and consistently delivers new solutions to patients and healthcare providers around the world. On behalf of the Chugai Group management team, I would like to thank all of you, our stakeholders, for your continued understanding and support of our efforts.
