Tokiwa Phytochemical

What Tokiwa Phytochemical does

Tokiwa Phytochemical (常磐植物化学研究所) is a Japanese specialty manufacturer founded in 1949 by Dr. Jin Matsuo (former Director-General of the National Institute of Health Sciences) and headquartered in Sakura City, Chiba Prefecture. The company manufactures and sells plant-derived active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), cosmetic raw materials, and functional food ingredients on a B2B basis. It serves three primary customer segments: pharmaceutical manufacturers (Kampo extracts, drug substances such as rutin and glycyrrhizin derivatives), health food and supplement producers (functional ingredients with Functional Food Notification support), and cosmetics companies (botanical active ingredients).

The company's technical platform centers on botanical extraction, purification, and standardization, operating twelve factory buildings across a 52,000 m² site in Sakura City equipped with HPLC, UPLC/MS analytical systems, large-scale column chromatography (70L capacity), GMP-compliant pharmaceutical manufacturing lines, and dedicated freeze-drying equipment. Its proprietary brand portfolio includes VENETRON® (Apocynum venetum leaf extract for sleep and femcare, with 100+ accepted Functional Food Notifications in Japan as of September 2023), SIRTMAX® (Kaempferia parviflora / black turmeric extract for anti-aging and SIRT1 activation, with Korean MFDS certification in 2024), MATESOL® (yerba mate extract for anti-metabolic syndrome, launched 2024), EFE (ephedra extract with ephedrine alkaloids removed), BILVERON, and the TW series of Japanese-Chinese botanical compounds. The company holds 30+ granted patents across Japan, the US, and China, and has built a research base supported by PhD-level staff and academic collaborations with RIKEN, University of Tokyo, Chiba University, Kyoto University, and other institutions.

Revenue is generated through B2B direct sales of raw materials, multi-year enterprise contracts (pricing is quote-based, not publicly disclosed), contract manufacturing and purification services, OEM supplement and cosmetics manufacturing, metabolome analysis services, and proprietary branded functional ingredient sales. Tokiwa maintains multiple international regulatory certifications — FDA registration, Korean MFDS, Russian regulatory authority approval, Halal, HACCP, FSSC22000, and JIHFS Health Food GMP — and is reported to host over 60 third-party customer audits/inspections per year. With approximately 150 full-time employees and family ownership across four generations of the Tatsuzaki family (President Jin Tatsuzaki, PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences, since 2010), the company operates as a privately held Japanese SME.

Name

Tokiwa Phytochemical

Legal name

株式会社常磐植物化学研究所

Website

https://tokiwaph.co.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

1949

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Tokiwa Phytochemical is a Japanese B2B manufacturer founded in 1949 that produces plant-derived active pharmaceutical ingredients, cosmetic ingredients, and functional food ingredients for pharmaceutical companies, health food manufacturers, and cosmetics brands worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Pharmaceutical & Functional Food Ingredients

NAICS

Medicinal and Botanical Manufacturing (325411), Spice and Extract Manufacturing (311942), Food Manufacturing (311)

SIC

Medicinal Chemicals & Botanical Products (2833), Miscellaneous Food Preparations & Kindred Products (2090), Perfumes, Cosmetics & Other Toilet Preparations (2844)

akta.pro primary industry

Antioxidants & Phytochemicals (Carotenoids, Tocopherols, Flavonoids, CoQ10, Resveratrol) (AFAJAKAI)

akta.pro secondary industry

Phytogenics & Botanicals (Essential Oils, Plant Extracts) (AFADAKAF)

Keywords

• Pharmaceutical raw materials
• Botanical extracts
• Functional food ingredients
• Cosmetic active ingredients
• Contract manufacturing

Headquarters

HQ city

Sakura

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Manufacturing and sales of raw materials: Manufactures and sells pharmaceutical raw materials (drug substances), health food ingredients, cosmetic ingredients, and food additives to B2B customers including pharmaceutical companies and health food manufacturers. This is the primary revenue stream, supplemented by contract manufacturing services, OEM supplement/cosmetics manufacturing, and high-purity analytical reagent sales.
2. Contract manufacturing and purification services: Provides commissioned extraction, purification, and manufacturing services for raw materials and intermediates. Also offers metabolome analysis services and custom synthesis of high-purity compounds for research and pharmaceutical applications.
3. Proprietary functional ingredient products: Develops and sells proprietary functional food ingredient products (VENETRON®, SIRTMAX®, and other botanical extracts) with功能性表示食品 (Functional Food Notification) support services, including PRISMA2020-compliant filing assistance.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Tokiwa Phytochemical is a B2B manufacturer of high-purity botanical active ingredients, supplying pharmaceutical raw materials (drug substances including rutin, glycyrrhizin derivatives, and Kampo extracts), health food ingredients (proprietary branded extracts such as VENETRON®, SIRTMAX®, MATESOL®, EFE, and PURESIRTMAX®), and cosmetic raw materials. The company also provides contract extraction, purification, OEM supplement/cosmetics manufacturing, metabolome analysis, and custom synthesis services to pharmaceutical, supplement, and cosmetics manufacturers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• VENETRON®（ベネトロン®）: 睡眠・月経ケア功能性表示食品対応素材（ラフマ葉抽出物）。功能性関与成分：ヒペロシド、イソクエルシトリン。PRISMA2020対応。
• SIRTMAX®（サートマックス®）
• MATESOL®（マテソール®）
• ローレッシュ
• PURESTRTMAX®
• TWシリーズ
• SRHR休腵
• 健康経営サプリ®

Products and services

• VENETRON® (Apocynum venetum leaf extract) Standardized Apocynum venetum leaf extract standardized with Hyperoside and Isoquercitrin; positioned for sleep quality, stress reduction, and femcare functional food applications with PRISMA2020-compliant clinical evidence and accepted Functional Food Notification support.
• SIRTMAX® (Kaempferia parviflora / Black Turmeric extract) Black turmeric (Kaempferia parviflora) extract standardized with 3,5,7,3',4'-Pentamethoxyflavone (PURESIRTMAX®) and total polymethoxyflavonoids; SIRT1-activating anti-aging ingredient for functional foods, supplements, and beverages, including a water-dispersible SIRTMAX®-W variant.
• MATESOL® (Mate extract) South American yerba mate extract positioned as an anti-metabolic syndrome functional food ingredient rich in vitamins and minerals, marketed as a 'drinkable salad.'
• EFE (Ephedra Alkaloid-Free Ephedra Extract) Ephedra extract manufactured by a proprietary process to remove ephedrine alkaloids, enabling safe use in food and supplement applications; covered by patents in Japan and China.
• Pharmaceutical raw materials (drug substances) including rutin, glycyrrhizin derivatives, and Kampo extracts High-purity pharmaceutical-grade APIs including rutin (vitamin P active used for cerebral hemorrhage and stroke prevention), glycyrrhizin derivatives, and Kampo extracts, supplied to pharmaceutical manufacturers with full quality and regulatory documentation.
• Cosmetic raw materials (plant extracts and botanical actives) Plant-derived cosmetic raw materials and botanical active ingredients supplied to cosmetics brands for skincare and beauty product formulations, including the TW Series Japanese botanical extracts (TW-KK, TW-TU, TW-SE1, TW-SS, TW-D1).
• Contract manufacturing and purification services Commissioned extraction, purification, and manufacturing services for botanical raw materials and intermediates, leveraging the company's GMP-compliant facilities, large-scale column chromatography, and freeze-drying equipment.
• OEM supplement and cosmetics manufacturing OEM manufacturing services for supplements and cosmetics products, supporting brand customers with formulation, filling, and packaging under the company's GMP-compliant manufacturing operations.
• Metabolome analysis and custom synthesis of high-purity compounds Analytical and custom synthesis services for research institutions and pharmaceutical customers, including metabolome analysis using HPLC and UPLC/MS systems and custom synthesis of high-purity reference compounds.
• PURESIRTMAX® (high-purity alkoxyflavone for analytical use) High-purity alkoxyflavone derivative (PURESIRTMAX®) sold as an analytical reagent for research applications, manufactured via a proprietary process covered by US Patent US10889557.

Quantifiable outcome

• VENETRON® has achieved over 100 accepted Functional Food Notifications in Japan (as of September 2023)
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Daehan Chemtech Co., Ltd. (Korea)coreTechnology or Integration · 26 March 2026R&D partnership for VENETRON® and SIRTMAX® research, including Korean animal studies and clinical trials for VENETRON® sleep and stress effects. Daehan Chemtech conducted Korean clinical trials for VENETRON® and collaborated on SIRTMAX® anti-obesity studies published in 2025.
• JST (科学技術진흥機構) Sakura Science ProgramminorOthers · 1 October 2024Hosted Mongolian National University students and faculty (7 students + 1 professor) for a facility tour including factory, R&D labs, and Sakura Herb Garden through the JST Sakura Science Program.
• Khalkhal University of Agriculture (Karakalpakstan, Uzbekistan)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2023Joint desert greening research with Khalkhal University of Agriculture and Sohmiyako Research Institute. Research results presented at UNCCD COP21 (2023) in Uzbekistan. Collaborative goal of greening global deserts using proprietary plant growth enhancers.
• RIKEN Plant Science CentercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2008Academic-industry consortium for glycyrrhizin biosynthesis research. Joint research identified CYP88D6 gene key to glycyrrhizin production, enabling industrial production and wild licorice conservation.
• Yokohama City UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2008Joint glycyrrhizin biosynthesis research through the RIKEN-led consortium.
• Chiba UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2008Long-standing joint research partner, including glycyrrhizin biosynthesis and VENETRON® development. Dr. Ishikawa (Chiba University) delivers lectures at Tokiwa's Sakura Science Academy.
• Kyoto UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2008Academic consortium partner in glycyrrhizin biosynthesis research.
• Nihon UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2008Academic consortium partner in glycyrrhizin biosynthesis research.
• Maypro Industries (USA)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExclusive or primary US distribution partner for VENETRON® (Apocynum venetum leaf extract). Collaborated on US clinical trials for sleep and stress effects published in International Journal of Translational Medicine (2025).
• Ningbo Green-Health Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (China)coreTechnology or IntegrationCo-exhibited with Tokiwa at CPHI Japan 2025 and 2026, showcasing combined expertise in plant extract manufacturing, scale-up capabilities, and cost-competitive overseas production for contract manufacturing services.
• University of TokyocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint research on VENETRON® and PURESIRTMAX® sirtuin activation mechanisms, with publications in Communications Biology (Nature, 2021) and J. Agric. Food Chem.
• Tokyo University of SciencecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration in anti-aging and phytochemical research including PURESIRTMAX® development.
• Toho UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint clinical research on SIRTMAX® glycemic control and safety evaluation.
• Radicle Science, Inc. (USA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUS clinical trial collaborator for VENETRON® sleep and anxiety study published in International Journal of Translational Medicine (2025). Large-scale randomized double-blind trial in US population.
• Sohmiyako Research Institute (Soemyako)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDesert greening joint research partner with Dr. Sōmei Masunori (Soehmiyako Institute / Kanazawa University Professor Emeritus). Co-presented at UNCCD COP21. Developed 'Somure' plant growth enhancer.
• 日本サーナ株式会社 (Nihon Sarat Co., Ltd.)minorOthersGroup company established 1983 for herb product commercialization, offering consumer-facing herbal products through Sanapia brand.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Givaudan (Naturex): Global flavors and fragrances major that acquired Naturex, the largest pure-play botanical extracts company. Comparable in standardized botanical extracts for food, nutraceutical, and cosmetic end-markets, but at vastly larger scale and broader product portfolio.
• Nagase & Co., Ltd. Japanese trading and ingredient company with a sizable life sciences and functional ingredients business, including botanical extracts. Comparable as a Japan-headquartered B2B ingredient supplier with regulatory expertise, though broader portfolio and chemicals trading focus.

Direct peers

• Martin Bauer Group: German-headquartered botanical extracts manufacturer serving tea, food, beverage, and nutraceutical industries. Comparable in scale, vertically integrated plant raw material sourcing, and standardized extract portfolio for B2B customers.
• Euromed S.A. Spanish producer of standardized botanical extracts for nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic applications. Comparable in GMP-certified manufacturing, clinical research support, and standardized phytopharmaceutical ingredient offerings.
• Sabinsa Corporation: US-based manufacturer of branded, clinically researched botanical and nutraceutical ingredients (e.g., BioPerine, ForsLean, Curcumin C3 Complex). Closely comparable to Tokiwa's VENETRON/SIRTMAX branded ingredient model with strong IP and regulatory positioning.
• Indena S.p.A. Italian botanical extract manufacturer producing standardized plant-derived active ingredients for pharmaceutical and nutraceutical customers. Directly comparable to Tokiwa in standardized botanical APIs, GMP manufacturing, and clinical-evidence-backed ingredient portfolio.

Regional players

• Oga Centra Co., Ltd. Japanese botanical extract and natural ingredient manufacturer serving domestic health food and cosmetics industries. Directly comparable in Japan-market GMP botanical extracts but smaller and less proprietary-brand-driven than Tokiwa.
• Nexus Pharma Pvt. Ltd. Indian botanical and nutraceutical ingredient manufacturer serving global B2B customers. Comparable in standardized plant extracts and contract manufacturing, but primarily competing as a low-cost alternative source for similar APIs as Tokiwa's legacy product lines.
• Amboor Co., Ltd. Japanese manufacturer and supplier of plant-derived raw materials for pharmaceuticals, health foods, and cosmetics. Directly comparable as a domestic Japanese botanical ingredient manufacturer with overlapping customer base in pharma and supplements.

Others

• Maypro Industries: US specialty ingredient distributor and partner that handles Tokiwa's VENETRON® distribution in the US market. Comparable as an industry participant (functional ingredient distribution to B2B supplement manufacturers) but primarily a partner rather than a direct competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/tokiwaph
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCkmIx6hdKxCt6BlsrzAeHjQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/tokiwaph
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/tokiwa-phytochemical-co-ltd-
• Instagraminstagram.com/venetum_tokiwa

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Tokiwa Phytochemical