What Daiichi Sankyo does

Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd. is a Japan-headquartered global pharmaceutical company formed in 2005 through the merger of Daiichi Pharmaceutical and Sankyo, with roots extending back roughly 125 years. It researches, develops, manufactures, and commercializes prescription pharmaceuticals across more than 30 countries, employing 20,171 people across 45 group companies as of March 2026. The portfolio is anchored by its proprietary DXd antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) platform, a deruxtecan-based payload technology that enables targeted cytotoxic delivery with a bystander effect, and powers the two flagship commercial assets ENHERTU (HER2-directed, co-developed with AstraZeneca) and DATROWAY (TROP2-directed, co-developed with AstraZeneca), plus a deep pipeline of additional ADC candidates including HER3-DXd, B7-H3, and CDH6 programs partnered with Merck.

The company makes money primarily through global prescription pharmaceutical sales, supplemented by milestone payments and royalties from its co-development partnerships with AstraZeneca (ENHERTU, DATROWAY, expanded into 75+ countries) and Merck (three ADC candidates plus ifinatamab deruxtecan). Core customer segments are oncology patients across HER2-positive, TROP2-positive, and other biomarker-defined solid tumors, alongside legacy cardiovascular, thrombosis, hypertension, and rare disease franchises including Vanflyta for FLT3-ITD positive AML and Delytact oncolytic virus therapy for glioblastoma. Daiichi Sankyo also operates Daiichi Sankyo Healthcare (OTC/consumer health), which is being divested to Suntory Holdings for approximately ¥246.5 billion ($1.6 billion) in a transaction running from June 2026 to June 2029.

The strategic posture is a deliberate transformation from a diversified Japanese pharma into a focused global oncology leader, targeting over ¥3 trillion in total revenue and top-five global oncology status by 2035 under a new Five-Year Business Plan. Recent moves include three major FDA/CHMP milestones in May 2026, appointment of former Novartis executive John Tsai as global R&D head, and the buildout of an AI/data ecosystem around ADC development through collaborations with Tempus AI, Google Cloud, Waiv, and Leica Biosystems. FY2025 revenue was ¥2,123.0 billion, R&D expense ¥466.0 billion, and net profit ¥259.9 billion, with the company guiding to ¥315 billion operating profit for the fiscal year ending March 2027.

Name

Daiichi Sankyo

Legal name

Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd.

Website

http://www.daiichisankyo.com

Company type

Public

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

Daiichi Sankyo is a Japan-headquartered global pharmaceutical company that develops and commercializes prescription drugs across 32 countries, anchored by its proprietary DXd antibody-drug conjugate platform and flagship oncology products ENHERTU and DATROWAY co-commercialized with AstraZeneca. It serves oncology, cardiovascular, and rare disease patients through direct sales and global partnership channels.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Oncology Pharmaceuticals

NAICS

Pharmaceutical Preparation Manufacturing (325412), Biological Product (except Diagnostic) Manufacturing (325414), Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714)

SIC

Pharmaceutical Preparations (2834), Biological Products, (No Disgnostic Substances) (2836)

akta.pro primary industry

Oncology Specialty Pharmaceuticals (HLAIACAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Cardiometabolic Pharmaceuticals (Cardiovascular/Diabetes/Obesity) (HLAIAAAE), Regulatory Strategy & IND/NDA/BLA Submissions Support (HLAIALAH), Target Identification & Validation Platforms (omics-driven, chemoproteomics, genetic validation) (HLAAAIAI)

Keywords

• Oncology pharmaceuticals
• Antibody drug conjugates
• Prescription drug manufacturing
• HER2 targeted therapy
• Clinical stage biopharmaceuticals

Headquarters

HQ city

Tokyo

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices11 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Prescription Pharmaceutical Sales: Daiichi Sankyo generates the majority of its revenue through global sales of prescription pharmaceutical products, including its flagship oncology drugs ENHERTU and DATROWAY (co-commercialized with partners), as well as cardiovascular, thrombosis, and other therapeutic area products. FY2025 revenue was 2,123.0 billion JPY.
2. Co-Development and Milestone Payments: The company receives milestone payments from partners such as AstraZeneca ($155 million due for Enhertu early breast cancer approvals in May 2026) and Merck (for various ADC candidates in the collaboration). Royalties are earned on global net sales of co-developed products.
3. OTC / Consumer Healthcare: Daiichi Sankyo Healthcare (OTC business) was sold to Suntory Holdings for approximately $1.3-$1.6 billion. The transaction commenced June 2026 and completes by June 2029, representing a strategic exit from the OTC segment.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Daiichi Sankyo is a global pharmaceutical company that researches, develops, manufactures, and commercializes prescription medicines, with a strategic focus on oncology through its proprietary DXd antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) platform. Its commercial products include ENHERTU (HER2-directed ADC) and DATROWAY (TROP2-directed ADC), co-developed with AstraZeneca, plus targeted therapies such as Vanflyta (FLT3 inhibitor for AML) and Delytact (oncolytic virus for glioblastoma). The company is executing a five-year plan to reach more than 2.3 trillion yen in oncology revenue by 2030 and become a global top-five oncology company by 2035.

Product overview

Daiichi Sankyo is a global pharmaceutical company with corporate origins in Japan, founded in 2005 through the merger of Daiichi Pharmaceutical and Sankyo. The company operates as an innovative global healthcare company with over 120 years of scientific expertise, more than 20,000 employees worldwide, and presence in over 30 countries. The company's product portfolio centers on its proprietary DXd ADC (antibody-drug conjugate) technology platform, which powers its lead commercial products ENHERTU (HER2-directed) and DATROWAY (TROP2-directed). Daiichi Sankyo co-develops and co-commercializes key ADCs with AstraZeneca (ENHERTU and DATROWAY) and Merck (I-DXd, patritumab deruxtecan, raludotatug deruxtecan). The company also offers targeted oncology medicines including Vanflyta (FLT3 inhibitor for AML) and Delytact (oncolytic virus for GBM). In addition to prescription pharmaceuticals, the company maintains a consumer healthcare business (Daiichi Sankyo Healthcare), though this is being divested to Suntory Holdings. The company is executing a five-year plan (FY2026-FY2030) targeting over 2.3 trillion yen in oncology revenue by 2030 and top-five global oncology status by 2035.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• ENHERTU (trastuzumab deruxtecan) HER2-directed antibody-drug conjugate co-developed with AstraZeneca using Daiichi Sankyo's DXd ADC technology with a novel deruxtecan payload. Approved for HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer, gastric cancer, HER2-positive early breast cancer, and HER2-positive (IHC 3+) unresectable or metastatic solid tumors. Indicated for adult oncology patients with HER2-expressing cancers.
• DATROWAY (datopotamab deruxtecan-dlnk) TROP2-directed antibody-drug conjugate co-developed with AstraZeneca. First TROP2-directed ADC approved for first-line treatment of metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) in patients not candidates for PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor therapy.
• Vanflyta (quizartinib) Oral FLT3 inhibitor for the treatment of FLT3-ITD positive acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Approved and publicly reimbursed in Quebec, Canada as part of Daiichi Sankyo's targeted oncology portfolio.
• Delytact (teserpaturev) Oncolytic virus therapy approved in Japan for the treatment of malignant glioma (glioblastoma multiforme). Represents Daiichi Sankyo's entry into the GBM treatment market.
• Ifinatamab deruxtecan (I-DXd) B7-H3 directed ADC candidate being developed in collaboration with Merck for extensive-stage small cell lung cancer. Received FDA Priority Review with PDUFA target action date of October 10, 2026; if approved, would be the first B7-H3 directed medicine for cancer.
• Patritumab deruxtecan (HER3-DXd) HER3-directed antibody-drug conjugate in development for solid tumors as part of Daiichi Sankyo's DXd ADC portfolio and the Merck co-development and co-commercialization agreement.
• Raludotatug deruxtecan CDH6-directed ADC candidate in collaboration with Merck for solid tumors, part of the three ADCs covered by the Merck co-development and co-commercialization agreement established in October 2023.
• Safusidenib Oral selective mutant IDH1 inhibitor being developed for maintenance treatment of high-risk astrocytoma (IDH1-mutant glioma). Licensed to Nuvation Bio for global development and commercialization, including Japan rights.

Quantifiable outcome

• ENHERTU demonstrated 53% reduction in invasive disease recurrence or death vs. T-DM1 in DESTINY-Breast05 Phase III trial
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

AI capability6 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Leica Biosystems (Danaher)coreTechnology or Integration · 3 June 2026Strategic collaboration expanded with AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo to develop an end-to-end AI-powered diagnostic system for the TROP2 Normalized Membrane Ratio (NMR) biomarker in non-small cell lung cancer. Combines AstraZeneca's Quantitative Continuous Scoring algorithm with Leica's digital pathology platforms (BOND RX stainer, Aperio GT 450 scanner), IHC assay development, and image analysis solutions. Deployed globally through Leica's Aperio AI Store for research use only.
• General ProximityminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 May 2026Strategic multi-target collaboration with General Proximity for multiple oncology programs. General Proximity is a San Francisco-based biotechnology company pioneering next-generation induced proximity medicines and has raised over $20 million, with a discovery engine supporting multi-target oncology collaborations.
• Nuvation BiominorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 May 2026Nuvation Bio expanded its exclusive license agreement with Daiichi Sankyo on April 1, 2026 to include Japan rights for safusidenib (IDH1-mutant glioma candidate), enabling expansion of the ongoing Phase 3 SIGMA study into Japan with access to all current and future clinical data.
• Suntory HoldingsminorOthers · 16 April 2026Daiichi Sankyo sold its OTC business unit, Daiichi Sankyo Healthcare, to Suntory Holdings for approximately ¥200-246.5 billion ($1.2-1.6 billion). The transfer commenced June 2026 and will complete by June 2029, representing a strategic exit from the OTC/consumer healthcare segment.
• Wayfinder BiosciencesminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 April 2026Research collaboration advanced to second phase following successful completion of initial research focused on discovering novel RNA-targeting small molecules against a key neurodegeneration target. Next phase focuses on further development and optimization of compounds identified during initial research.
• ATLATL Innovation CenterminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 April 2026Agreement to leverage ATLATL's R&D network and expertise in the Asia-Pacific biotech sector to accelerate innovative science and potentially develop new treatments. Collaboration aims to identify high-quality R&D platform technologies and facilitate the translation of scientific research into treatments across core APAC markets.
• Merck & Co. (MSD outside US/Canada)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2023Global co-development and co-commercialization agreement for three ADC candidates: inatamab deruxtecan (B7-H3), raludotatug deruxtecan (CDH6), and patritumab deruxtecan (HER3). Expanded in August 2024 to include gocatamig. Merck holds exclusive rights in the US and Canada; Daiichi Sankyo retains rights in Japan and other ex-Japan markets.
• AstraZenecacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 April 2023Daiichi Sankyo and AstraZeneca's global co-development and co-commercialization partnership for ENHERTU (trastuzumab deruxtecan) and DATROWAY (datopotamab deruxtecan). AstraZeneca leads commercial operations in ex-Japan markets while Daiichi Sankyo maintains co-promotion rights. The partnership spans multiple tumor types and has achieved approvals in over 75 countries for ENHERTU and approvals/regulatory reviews for DATROWAY under Project Orbis.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• AstraZeneca: Global co-development and co-commercialization partner for ENHERTU and DATROWAY across 75+ countries. Direct oncology competitor with overlapping ADC and HER2/TROP2 franchises, and the partner through which Daiichi Sankyo commercializes its flagship oncology assets outside Japan.
• Gilead Sciences: Acquired Immunomedics to enter the ADC market with Trodelvy (TROP2-directed), directly competing with DATROWAY in triple-negative breast cancer and other TROP2-expressing tumors. Comparable ADC technology investment and oncology commercial scale.
• Merck & Co. Co-development partner for three Daiichi Sankyo ADC candidates (HER3-DXd, CDH6, B7-H3) plus gocatamig. Direct oncology competitor with Keytruda franchise that shapes ADC combination strategy, and the exclusive commercial rights holder for several Daiichi Sankyo ADCs in the US and Canada.
• Roche: Leading oncology company with Kadcyla (HER2 ADC) competing head-to-head with ENHERTU in HER2-positive breast cancer, plus a deep diagnostic and companion diagnostic franchise that overlaps with Daiichi Sankyo's AI diagnostics strategy. Comparable in oncology scale and ADC heritage.
• Bristol-Myers Squibb: Global oncology incumbent with significant ADC and immuno-oncology franchises competing for the same patient populations and oncology talent. Comparable in oncology R&D scale and commercial footprint across Daiichi Sankyo's key markets.
• Astellas Pharma: Japanese pharmaceutical peer with oncology focus including Padcev (nectin-4 ADC) developed with Pfizer. Closest regional peer in size, Japanese capital markets listing, and oncology strategic direction.

Broad incumbents

• Novartis: Major oncology incumbent and former employer of Daiichi Sankyo's new R&D head John Tsai. Comparable in oncology pipeline depth (Pluvicto, radioligand therapies, ADCs) and in scale of late-stage oncology development, with overlapping indications in breast cancer and solid tumors.
• GSK: Major pharmaceutical peer with growing oncology presence (Jemperli, Blenrep) and established global commercial infrastructure that overlaps with Daiichi Sankyo's oncology expansion targets across Europe and other markets.
• Pfizer: Major oncology incumbent with a broad ADC pipeline acquired through Seagen and other transactions. Overlaps with Daiichi Sankyo in HER2 and broader oncology markets and represents a scaled competitor with full commercial integration versus Daiichi Sankyo's partnership model.

Regional players

• Takeda Pharmaceutical: Japan's largest pharmaceutical company with global oncology presence including Adcetris (ADC). Closest Japanese-headquartered peer in scale and capital markets profile, with comparable global oncology commercial strategy.

Market position

Strengths1 record

Weaknesses1 record

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/daiichi-sankyo-co-ltd-
• Xx.com/daiichisankyo

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Subsidiaries8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A5 records

Investments6 records

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Frequently asked questions about Daiichi Sankyo