Innovation
What We Aim For Through Innovation
Delivering value that only we can create to patients around the world
The innovation that Chugai envisions is not only curing diseases through treatment, but also liberating patients from the various constraints of daily life, bringing them health and happiness.
To achieve this, it is essential that each patient get access to the most suitable treatment, thereby not only reducing physical burdens but also alleviating mental burdens such as anxiety.
Patients and their families should be able to live their daily normal lives with peace of mind. That is the future that Chugai envisions beyond the innovation it creates.
R&D
Our unique drug discovery technologies, R&D culture, and
focused investment in R&D
create
continuous innovation.
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The world's most advanced drug discovery technologies
Our unique technology and science, including antibody engineering technology, enable creation of innovative drugs that meet unmet medical needs
R&D Innovation
Cutting-edge Drug Discovery Technology
We have world-leading technologies in the antibody (high-molecular weight compounds) and small molecule modalities, and in particular, we lead the world with our unique antibody engineering technologies that expand the possibilities of antibody drugs.
Additionally, we are working to establish a technological foundation for mid-size molecules as a third modality that will support our future growth.
Antibody Drugs
Chugai is a world leader in antibody engineering technology. In particular, we have developed unique technologies such as recycling antibody® technology and bispecific antibody technology to expand the possibilities of antibody drugs. This enables us to provide new treatments for diseases and target molecules that have been difficult to address with conventional antibody drugs.
Small Molecule Drugs
Chugai also has strong technological capabilities in the development of small molecule drugs, with a particular focus on the development of drugs that can be administered orally. Small molecule drugs have the ability to act on intracellular target molecules and can be used in the treatment of a wide range of disease areas. In addition, the production cost is relatively low, helping to reduce the burden on patients.
Mid-size Molecule Drugs
Chugai is working to establish a technological foundation for mid-size molecule drugs as a third modality. Mid-size molecule drugs combine the properties of small molecules and antibodies and act on tough intracellular targets that have been difficult to approach with conventional small molecule and antibody drugs, enabling new treatment approaches to diseases that were previously difficult to treat.
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R&D culture that fosters free thinking
The unique corporate culture in R&D we have cultivated over the years fosters free thinking and original ideas
R&D Innovation
A culture that values originality
The spirit of taking on challenges with a positive outlook, the tenacity to continuously invest in the development of new technologies over the long term, and the strategic alliance with Roche have established a unique corporate culture and mindset over the years that is reflected in our R&D Principles.
The four R&D Principles fostered by our unique culture
- Technology-Driven drug discovery
- Developing molecules of the highest quality
- Selection of targeted diseases based on the mechanisms of action and biology
- Clinical development to maximize product value
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Focused investment in R&D through a unique business model
Establishing a revenue base through a strategic alliance with Roche will enable focused investment in innovative technologies and drug discovery
R&D Innovation
Unparalleled and unique
business model
Through our strategic alliance with Roche, we efficiently develop and market groundbreaking Roche products exclusively in-licensed for Japan. This stable revenue base enables us to make focused investments in highly innovative proprietary technologies in drug discovery. Furthermore, by licensing-out our own original products to Roche, we are expanding into the global market gaining the revenue base to drive growth. Meanwhile, for Roche, in addition to maximizing the value of Roche products in Japan, they have the first refusal right to Chugai's highly innovative, research-focused products for the global market, establishing a win-win relationship.
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Successful new business model featuring management autonomy
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The strategic alliance gives Chugai the exclusive right to develop and market Roche products in Japan and allows Chugai’s own products to reach global markets
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Digital Transformation Initiatives
We hope to dramatically enhance drug discovery through digital
transformation (DX)
and improve productivity across the entire
value chain
By combining our unique scientific and technological capabilities with cutting-edge digital technologies, we transform our business to deliver healthcare solutions that change society.
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Build a company-wide infrastructure that supports innovation creation
Establish a global-standard IT infrastructure and promoting the development of digital talent
Build a company-wide infrastructure that supports innovation
We have adopted a multi-cloud environment tailored to the purposes of using the company-wide shared digital IT platform,
CCI (Chugai Cloud Infrastructure),
which aims to establish a global-standard IT foundation and develop digital talent. This approach promotes standardization, strengthens security governance, and enables efficient integrated operations management. This is a digital IT infrastructure that covers both the scientific and enterprise domains.
CHUGAI DIGITAL ACADEMY for digital talent development
CHUGAI DIGITAL ACADEMY is a system for systematically developing in-house digital talent, such as data scientists. In addition to providing in-house content, such as extensive lectures and support for practical application through on-the-job training, we will enhance "business and digital" skills and experience through external training programs, talent exchanges, and collaboration with universities and research institutions.
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Dramatic productivity gains across the entire value chain
The unique corporate culture in R&D we have cultivated over the years fosters free thinking and original ideas
Increased productivity across the entire value chain
Utilize digital technologies such as AI and robotics to significantly streamline business processes
Smart Factory:
We are incorporating digital technology into pharmaceutical manufacturing sites, including collecting data through IoT sensors, utilizing AI for preventative maintenance, and promoting automation and robotization.
Decentralized Clinical Trials (DCT):
We are promoting Decentralized Clinical Trials (DCT), which do not depend on patient visits, as an initiative to reduce the burden of follow-up visits on patients participating in clinical trials and to shorten the development time of pharmaceutical products. Unlike traditional clinical trials, DCTs utilize digital technologies such as online medical care, eConsent, and wearable devices.
Generative AI Utilization:
We are advancing the development and utilization of generative AI to create new value in R&D and drastically enhance the efficiency across the value chain. This includes establishing a generative AI infrastructure and deploying a chat application powered by multiple large language models (LLMs) for company-wide use.
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Advance early phases of R&D through the use of digital technologies
Utilize AI and other digital technologies to improve the probability of success in drug development and significantly reduce the time and cost of drug discovery
Digital Transformation (DX) Initiatives
Advance early phases of R&D through the use of digital technologies
Chugai is addressing the challenges posed by the increasing time and cost necessary for new drug development, as well as the growing complexity of drug discovery, by utilizing digital technologies to shorten development timelines and improve success rates.
Chugai’s knowledge, technology, and data are combined with the strengths of external partners to promote the utilization of AI.
In addition to the large volume of data that Chugai possesses on its own, we aim to create innovative new drugs by using AI while also collaborating with Roche on data to improve the probability of success in drug discovery and to achieve overwhelming efficiency in the drug discovery process.
Open Innovation that Transcends Organizational Boundaries
Accelerate the creation of innovation
through active
collaboration with external partners
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Global Research Network
We share compound libraries and other drug discovery platforms within the Roche Group, leveraging our extensive research resources and infrastructure. This has led to improved research productivity.
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Industry-Academia Cooperation
We conduct joint research that fuses proprietary drug discovery technologies and know-how with new discoveries in academia. We are building a system to discover new drug targets and acquire technologies.
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Partnering
We are focused on value creation through both access to external innovation and the licensing-out of our own technologies and products.
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CVF (Chugai Venture Fund)
In July 2023, we established a corporate venture capital, Chugai Venture Fund, LLC (CVF), in Boston area in the United States to invest in drug discovery startups, and it began full-scale operations in January 2024. We aim to accelerate our proprietary drug discovery engine through continuous investment in venture companies.
People and Activities
Toward the creation of continuous innovation.
The Story of Our Challenges
We want to bring happiness to our patients. Here are the thoughts of these employees and the stories of their challenges.