Juzo Ueno, the founder, witnessed the shortage of medicines after the Great Kanto Earthquake and established Chugai Shinyaku Shokai in 1925, which became the origin of Chugai Pharmaceutical, with the desire to "create medicines that benefit society.“

Starting as an import agent for pharmaceuticals, Chugai Pharmaceutical grew through the release of products like "Guronsan" and "Balsan," and in the late 1960s, shifted its focus from over-the-counter drugs to prescription medicines. It pioneered the immunology field with "Picibanil" and also invested in biopharmaceuticals. Subsequently, it developed into a leading Japanese pharmaceutical company, creating drugs such as "Epogin," "Neutrogin," "Actemra," and "Hemlibra."

A major turning point was the strategic alliance with Roche that began in 2002, which dramatically improved research, development and production to world-class levels. This alliance led to the merger of Chugai Pharmaceutical and Nippon Roche, Roche's Japanese subsidiary. Roche had been exporting products to Japan since 1904, just 10 years after its founding, recognizing Japan's market potential. Nippon Roche was established in 1932, contributing to the Japanese market's development through its vitamin business and creating drugs like "Futulon" and "Xeloda" from its Kamakura Research Institute. Through this strategic alliance with Roche, Chugai aims to become a top innovator in the global healthcare industry.