Hosoda serves as Group Manager in the Drug Discovery Pharmacology First Research Department, where he is responsible for conceptualizing and verifying drug approaches that address unmet medical needs and evaluating drug efficacy. What motivated Hosoda, previously an assistant professor, to transition from academia to a pharmaceutical career? He shares the unique fulfillment he has found at Chugai Pharmaceutical.

*Reprinted from Chugai's official talentbook (https://www.talent-book.jp/chugai-pharm). The descriptions and affiliations are current as of August 2023.

Addressing Unmet Medical Needs and Contributing to the "0 to 1" of Drug Discovery

The Drug Discovery Pharmacology First Research Department, where Hosoda works, has three primary functions. The first is conceptualizing and verifying drug approaches that address unmet medical needs, conditions for which effective treatments have not yet been established.

 

"This involves creating drug discovery ideas, which I find to be the most compelling aspect of our work. For diseases caused by genetic mutations, we often know the underlying cause, allowing us to consider potential approaches more easily. However, for diseases with complex factors, we search for effective drug discovery solutions by using animal models or testing potential approaches at the cellular level."

 

The work is truly about creating something from "0 to 1," deciding which modality [classification of therapeutic means], such as antibodies, small molecules, or medium-sized molecules, to pursue through discussions with in-house experts and specialists. All of this is done to meet the hopes of patients eagerly awaiting new treatments.

 

The second function of the Drug Discovery Pharmacology First Research Department involves "establishing" drug efficacy evaluation systems and "evaluating" antibodies and compounds.

 

"After generating ideas, such as 'this treatment might be effective for disease A,' we collaborate with other departments to develop drug candidates. It's also our responsibility to receive these drug candidates and verify their effectiveness."

 

The third function involves analyzing the mechanisms underlying drug candidate factors. When the cause of a disease is unclear, the department investigates molecular mechanisms by tracing the effects of “a treatment candidate or genetic manipulation.”

While engaging in these tasks, Hosoda leads his team as a Group Manager. He emphasizes that the appeal of drug discovery research at Chugai Pharmaceutical lies in identifying "the meaning of Chugai's involvement."

 

"If we take a conventional approach, it will ultimately become a race against other companies. In our drug discovery research, we often focus on whether it is something that only Chugai Pharmaceutical can do. However, it is pointless to prioritize uniqueness at the expense of feasibility. I believe many people at Chugai excel at finding this balance.

The Research Division at Chugai Pharmaceutical is composed of specialists with advanced knowledge and skills across all modalities. Having numerous colleagues who support the realization of ideas is another attraction of being involved in drug discovery research at our company."

The Joy of Working Under a Simple, Unwavering Purpose: For Patients

After earning his doctorate, Hosoda initially pursued an academic career. A turning point came when he decided to join his previous pharmaceutical company.

 

"I was interested in biological mechanisms and chose academia to explore how life phenomena could be explained at the molecular level.

However, when considering my career path in academic research, I realized that if genetic mutations and disruptions in life phenomena lead to diseases, I could satisfy my intellectual curiosity by joining a pharmaceutical company. This was the catalyst for my career change.

In pharmaceutical companies, people in every department and role work toward helping patients and contributing to health. I found this environment, with its clear and simple goal, very appealing. I saw it as an ideal job where I could satisfy my desire for knowledge as a researcher while also helping people."

 

Hosoda reflects on his encounter with Chugai Pharmaceutical:

 

"While working at my previous company, I had the opportunity to attend a lecture by someone involved in the research and development of Chugai Pharmaceutical's flagship product. I was intellectually stimulated by their scientific and logical approach to overcoming challenges in the drug discovery process.

It was during this time that I learned about Chugai Pharmaceutical's culture of supporting research and development once they commit to it and overseeing it in the long term."

 

This experience further fueled Hosoda's passion for research, and he ultimately decided to join Chugai Pharmaceutical. Coincidentally, the presenter from that lecture served as the interviewer during his second interview.

 

"The interviewer had reviewed several of my papers and asked many probing questions during my second interview presentation. I was genuinely pleased that he was interested in my research, and I was impressed by the depth of his research knowledge. The head of the Research Division, whom I met during the final interview, was also a remarkable person. I joined Chugai, thinking it would be rewarding to work with such individuals, and my impression has remained unchanged since then."

 

After joining Chugai, Hosoda initially focused on understanding the company's internal landscape, including ongoing drug discovery research. Reflecting on his early days, he recalls receiving significant support as he tackled drug discovery projects that had not been pursued within the company.

 

"My Group Manager at the time encouraged other departments to 'listen to my subordinate's ideas,' and meetings were quickly arranged. In those meetings, colleagues shared past examples and reasons for previous failures, offering advice on my ideas. I recognized the strong organizational support at Chugai Pharmaceutical, where everyone works together toward drug discovery."

As Long as Patients Have Concerns and Anxieties, There Will Be No End to Drug Discovery Research

Hosoda finds drug discovery research at Chugai Pharmaceutical appealing but also discusses the challenges stemming from his academic background:

 

“At Chugai Pharmaceutical, expertise is established in each field. Therefore, it's essential to approach each department's initiatives with understanding and collaboration.

While keeping the overall goal of drug discovery in mind, it is also crucial to conceive feasible and unique ideas.”

 

The foundation of this thinking is patient-centricity. Hosoda elaborates:

 

“Rather than focusing solely on the research I wish to pursue, it is essential to prioritize the development of treatments that patients are eagerly awaiting. My unwavering desire to help patients motivates my work.”

In practice, Hosoda has strengthened his patient orientation through activities such as interviewing key opinion leaders, who are experts in specific diseases. He explains:

“For example, even if an injectable drug is effective, regular hospital visits can be burdensome for patients, so oral medications that can be taken at home are often eagerly anticipated. Additionally, even if a cancer treatment offers a 50% five-year survival rate, we must challenge ourselves in drug discovery research to increase that rate and work toward the goal of near-100% survival.”

Hosoda further emphasizes that such patient-centered values are deeply embedded in the company:

 

“Opportunities to reflect on the larger purpose of our work are regularly provided within the company, such as annual workshops held by each group to consider 'what we can do for patients.'

Everyone naturally desires to provide drugs that benefit patients, and Chugai Pharmaceutical’s strength lies in fostering an environment where ideas can be exchanged toward realizing this goal. I believe the reason many people persist in the face of difficulties is because of the shared commitment to helping patients.”

Never Stopping the Challenge: Dreaming of the Day When the Drug He Worked On Reaches the Market

Since joining Chugai Pharmaceutical, a company he has long admired, Hosoda has found his work both fulfilling and personally enriching:

 

“As a member of the Roche Group, one of the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies, Chugai Pharmaceutical offers numerous opportunities to access cutting-edge information. Additionally, our company’s technology in medium-sized molecule drug discovery is globally recognized. Working in this privileged environment has allowed me to acquire significant knowledge and experience, despite it being only a year since I joined.”

 

Hosoda continues to challenge himself in drug discovery research unique to Chugai Pharmaceutical. His ultimate goal is to develop new drug candidates that he has personally contributed to:

 

“My dream is to continue thinking about what patients need and to bring a new drug I have been involved with to market. I envision the day when it is used worldwide, contributing to patients’ recovery. When that day arrives, the emotion will be beyond imagination.”

 

To deliver innovative treatments to patients and create as many smiles as possible, Hosoda remains committed to pursuing challenges alongside new colleagues in drug discovery:

 

“I want to work with individuals who approach their work with the desire to save lives and help patients. Even when faced with challenging research or projects that require significant time, Chugai Pharmaceutical’s resources should help increase feasibility. I look forward to collaborating with people who share a patient-centric mindset and have specific goals they want to accomplish.”