Message from the CEOs

Chugai Pharmaceutical marked the 100th anniversary of its foundation on March 10, 2025. It is thanks to the support of you, our stakeholders, that we have been able to reach this significant milestone. I wish to express my sincere gratitude to you all.

With the provision of innovative medicines and services as our core business, Chugai has achieved dramatic growth in its aim to become a Top Innovator in the global healthcare industry.

Those 100 years are a history of challenge for the company. Founded in 1925, Chugai shifted from over-the-counter drugs to prescription medicines in the 1960s, making another course change toward bio-pharmaceutical in the 1980s. In 2002, it started a strategic alliance with Roche.

Chugai has maintained its management autonomy while being a member of the Roche Group. We have exclusive rights to market Roche’s new drugs in Japan, and we have leveraged the stable earnings base that this provides to make intensive investments in research and development. Through Roche, we are able to deliver the innovative products that we have created as a result to patients around the world.

In 2023, Chugai Life Science Park Yokohama began full-scale operations, providing us with the framework for the acceleration of our R&D. We have reinforced our production facilities for the high-quality, stable delivery of the innovative drugs that we have developed in-house, and we are also pursuing the use of AI and other digital technologies.

Our goal is the realization of advanced and sustainable patient-centric healthcare. As the social issues surrounding healthcare become increasingly sophisticated and complex, it is essential that we work with all our stakeholders to envisage the future and create it together. It is our sincere wish to build partnerships with you all.

The aspiration of our founder, Juzo Ueno, of “creating drugs that benefit the world” has been passed on to each and every one of our employees, who will carry on these efforts and build the next 100 years. With our pioneering spirit, we will boldly embrace the challenge of creating the kind of innovation that only we can.

I hope that we may continue to rely on your unwavering support into the future.

Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
Representative Director, President & CEO

Dr. Osamu Okuda

Dear colleagues, partners, and stakeholders,

For over 20 years, Chugai has been and continues to be an invaluable part of the Roche Group. On this joyful occasion, I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to Chugai on its 100th anniversary.

Chugai’s aspiration “INNOVATION BEYOND IMAGINATION” reflects the commitment to quality, unwavering persistence and pioneering spirit. The scientific capabilities are world-class and Chugai is constantly pushing the boundaries of science.

The strategic alliance between our companies is a one-of-its-kind success story in the healthcare industry that has enabled millions of patients in Japan to benefit from Roche’s medicines, while Chugai’s innovative products could reach patients worldwide. Our partnership is built on mutual respect and trust, resulting in transformative medicines for a wide range of diseases.

I look forward to continuing our strong collaboration to discover more innovations that will benefit patients for the next 100 years.

Dr. Thomas Schinecker
CEO Roche Group