Chugai Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. is a Japanese biopharmaceutical company engaged in the research, development, manufacturing and marketing of prescription pharmaceuticals. Founded in 1943, the company has built its reputation on innovative therapies in oncology, bone and joint diseases, renal and metabolic disorders and inflammatory diseases. As a subsidiary of the Roche Group since 2002, Chugai leverages global partnerships for research collaboration and licensing, while maintaining a focus on addressing unmet medical needs in Japan and key international markets.
Chugai’s research and development operations are anchored in state-of-the-art facilities in Tokyo, Tsukuba and Yokohama, where multidisciplinary teams apply advanced technologies in protein engineering, antibody engineering and next-generation sequencing. The company’s product portfolio includes high-profile therapies such as the interleukin-6 receptor inhibitor Actemra (tocilizumab), the PARP inhibitor Rubraca (rucaparib) and the antibody-drug conjugate Kadcyla (ado-trastuzumab emtansine), among others. These medicines are marketed in Japan under licensing agreements with Roche, underscoring Chugai’s collaborative model for pipeline expansion and global reach.
While the company’s primary market is Japan, its alliance with Roche ensures that Chugai-developed therapies gain worldwide exposure through Roche’s distribution channels. Domestically, Chugai maintains a dedicated sales and marketing force that works closely with healthcare professionals to support patient access programs, post-marketing surveillance and medical education. The company also operates a network of research partnerships across Asia and Europe to accelerate early-stage discovery and translational research.
Under the leadership of President and CEO Tatsuro Kosaka, Chugai has strengthened its pipeline, advanced digital transformation initiatives and enhanced its commitment to sustainability. Emphasizing scientific integrity and patient-centricity, the company continues to invest in precision medicine, biologics and cell therapies to tackle evolving healthcare challenges. With an eye on long-term growth, Chugai remains focused on delivering innovative treatments that improve patient outcomes both in Japan and around the world.
AI Generated. May Contain Errors.
