To meet modern requirements, Sato develops new drug using the latest technologies.
Sato’s Shinagawa R&D Center in Tokyo contains six facilities including the New Research Wing and Formulation Research Wing. These buildings house the Research Planning Office, the Drug Discovery Research Department, the Ethical Pharmaceutical Research Department, as well as the four sections of the Formulation Research Department. Cutting-edge research is being conducted here into the creation of new drugs.
Sato develops new drugs using the latest technologies to meet modern requirements
The Shinagawa R&D Center conducts the research and development activities needed to produce Sato’s ethical pharmaceuticals, OTC drugs, quasi-drugs, cosmetics, and foods for specified health uses. The R&D center pursues research into high value-addition products that are always based on the needs of consumers. Researchers of all departments participate in projects for each drug discovery theme, and actively engage in research activities such as synthesizing new compounds, biological screening and pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic evaluation. Sato is conducting research on new and original drugs in the field of ethical pharmaceuticals (Table 1).
Table 1: Status of products in development and currently under investigation| Development code | Treatment | Active ingredient |
|---|---|---|
| SKX-12 | Hyperuricemia | New active ingredients (developed internally by Sato) |
| SKN-14 | Acne | New active ingredients (license in) |
| SKN-15 | Viral skin disease | New active ingredients (license in) |
| Disease area | Research status |
|---|---|
| Ophthalmological diseases(glaucoma) | Lead compound optimization |
| Infectious diseases category | Selecting lead compound |
| Wound healing field | Selecting lead compound |
| Sarcopenia | Drug discovery, target identification |
Sato has five development fields—hyperuricemia therapeutic agents, ophthalmological diseases, antifungal products, wound healing and sarcopenia—and is engaged in research to quickly deliver the new drugs to waiting patients (Tables 1 and 2). SKX-12 is a unique proprietary drug developed by Sato to treat hyperuricemia, with an action mechanism different from mainstream medications, and for which we are working to obtain early approval of this original drug discovery with unique action.
Promoting joint research with domestic and international specialist institutions
Sato proactively engages in joint research into drug discovery with companies, universities, and research institutes in Japan and overseas. We have achieved tangible results in several joint research projects with different universities. We are now working on drug discovery targeting lipid metabolism-related coenzymes, as well as on sarcopenia, the muscular atrophy that comes with aging, and are steadily achieving results.
We have also begun collaborative research in the field of ophthalmology, as well as into wound healing, aiming to elucidate the healing mechanisms for wounds and pressure sores, and towards the creation of wound-healing drugs. We will continue to focus on drug discovery research, with a special eye on Japan’s fast-aging society.
More effective and easier to use; unique formulation development and research of ingredients of crude drugs
The formulation design of new pharmaceutical products for improved convenience, safety and effectiveness are major research themes at Sato. For example, we succeeded in creating unique formulations, such as orally-disintegrating tablets that can be taken without water, technology we apply to our domestic and international products. In crude drug research, we have scientifically certified more than 100 crude drugs. In September 2019, we launched YUNKER Kotei Royal Premium, which contains 14 kinds of crude drugs. Leveraging our analysis methods and proprietary research data based on new crude drug ingredients, we will also continue developing new products for the YUNKER series, which addresses the fatigue of modern consumers.
Gaining higher-quality scientific evidence
Based on the knowledge gained from gene/protein analysis research, we have been able to acquire high-quality scientific evidence on the relationships between pathogenesis and target molecules, using our original screening and evaluation system for study at the molecular/genetic level and three-dimensional cultured cell model, and to use this data for the discovery, identification and validation of drug discovery targets. We are also working at the development stage for active ingredients for the development of new cosmetics—a method unique to pharmaceutical companies.