What Wakunaga Pharmaceutical does

Wakunaga Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (湧永製薬株式会社) is a privately held Japanese pharmaceutical company founded in June 1955 in Osaka by Mitsuyuki Wakunaga and currently led by President & CEO Kanji Wakunaga (since 2007). The company is built on a proprietary aged garlic extract (AGE) platform — a 2-year natural aging process developed with Dr. Eugen Schnell in 1960 that reduces garlic odor and irritation while preserving nutritional and safety benefits — and has extended this platform into the proprietary compound S-1-propenyl-L-cysteine (S1PC), which was shown in Cell Metabolism (May 2026) to activate the LKB1-SIRT1-eNAMPT axis and improve skeletal muscle force and frailty scores in aged mice, with supporting human trial data on circulating eNAMPT.

The product portfolio spans four revenue streams: (1) OTC pharmaceuticals (Leopin/Kyo-Leopin nutritional tonics, Optana Premium eye drops, cold/GI/nasal remedies) sold through Japanese pharmacies and drug stores with pharmacist counseling; (2) health supplements under the Kyolic brand, sold globally in 60+ countries via Wakunaga of America (Mission Viejo CA, manufacturing in Riverside County) and Wakunaga of Europe (Berlin, plus Grünwalder Gesundheitsprodukte in Bad Tölz, acquired 2020); (3) diagnostic and HLA typing reagents (20,000+ bone marrow donor tests annually); and (4) licensing/royalty income from discovered compounds including Baxdela (delafloxacin, FDA-approved 2018, licensed to Melinta Therapeutics) and an earlier antibacterial co-developed with Astellas Pharma. Recent product expansion includes One Support canine supplements and Laxion Kiwami (June 2026), a knee-joint functional food.

The go-to-market combines domestic pharmacy-channel distribution in Japan with international subsidiary-led sales for Kyolic abroad, supported by a traceability-enabled members card program (introduced 2013), professional counseling at point of sale, and community marketing through the company's sponsored Akitakata Wakunaga Handball Club (League H). Regulatory milestones include the 2022 German pharmaceutical drug approval of Kyolic Kapseln for arteriosclerosis prevention under the THMP framework, marking the company's transition from supplement-only to drug-grade positioning in Europe. Ownership has remained within the Wakunaga family since founding, with no disclosed external investors and no public listing.

Name

Wakunaga Pharmaceutical

Legal name

Wakunaga Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (湧永製薬株式会社)

Website

https://wakunaga.co.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

1955

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Wakunaga Pharmaceutical is a privately held Japanese pharmaceutical company founded in 1955 that develops and markets aged garlic extract-based OTC tonics (Leopin), global dietary supplements (Kyolic, 60+ countries), diagnostic reagents, and licensed drugs across consumer, medical, and veterinary segments.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Health supplements and OTC pharmaceuticals

NAICS

Medicinal and Botanical Manufacturing (325411), Pharmaceutical Preparation Manufacturing (325412)

SIC

Pharmaceutical Preparations (2834), Medicinal Chemicals & Botanical Products (2833)

akta.pro primary industry

Herbal & Botanical Supplements (CRADAGAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Healthy Aging & Cognitive Support Supplements (CRADAGAM), Specialty Condition Supplements (Sleep, Stress, Heart, Joint, Gut, Immunity) (CRADAGAE), Senior & Cognitive Support Supplements (HLAMALAJ), Specialty & Condition-Specific Nutraceuticals (e.g., Liver, Eye, Endocrine) (HLAMALAO)

Keywords

• Aged garlic extract
• Nutritional tonics
• OTC pharmaceuticals
• Dietary supplements
• Diagnostic reagents

Headquarters

HQ city

Osaka

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Operations

Revenue model

1. OTC Pharmaceuticals: Over-the-counter medicines including Leopin series (滋養強壮剤), eye drops, cold medicines, gastrointestinal drugs, and other OTC products sold through pharmacies and drug stores in Japan.
2. Health Supplements: Dietary supplements including Kyolic brand (aged garlic extract-based products) sold globally in 60+ countries, and functional food products with health claims.
3. Diagnostic Reagents: HLA typing reagents and diagnostic reagents for medical settings and pharmaceutical research, including in vitro diagnostic reagents using genetic analysis and monoclonal antibody technology.
4. Licensing/Royalties: Licensing of discovered compounds including Baxdela (new quinolone antimicrobial) to Melinta Therapeutics, and antibacterial agents to Astellas Pharma.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Wakunaga Pharmaceutical manufactures and sells health products built around its proprietary Aged Garlic Extract (AGE) technology, including the Kyolic line of dietary supplements sold in 60+ countries, the Leopin/Kyo-Leopin pharmaceutical tonic series sold in Japan through pharmacies, Optana Premium eye drops (Class 2 OTC drug), and the One Support dog health supplement. The portfolio also encompasses the recently launched Laxion Kiwami functional food for knee joint health, diagnostic reagents (HLA typing kits) sold to medical institutions and bone marrow banks, and pharmaceutical compounds out-licensed to partners such as Melinta Therapeutics (Baxdela).

Product overview

Wakunaga Pharmaceutical operates a diversified portfolio spanning OTC pharmaceuticals, functional foods, and dietary supplements, anchored by its proprietary aged garlic extract (AGE) technology. Core products include the Kyolic/Leopin series of AGE-based nutritional tonics sold internationally under the Kyolic brand and domestically under the Leopin (レオピン) pharmaceutical brand, with Leopin Royal w positioned as the premium tier and Kyo-Leopin w as the mass-market family tonic. The Kyolic sub-brand encompasses multiple functional food variants (Q10, Icyo, Ceramido, GABA, DHA, KLC-A/F/H, proteoglycan) sold in Japan. Beyond AGE-based products, the portfolio extends to ophthalmic products (Optana Premium, a Class 2 OTC drug), the pet health supplement One Support (dogs), and the recently launched knee-joint functional food Laxion Kiwami (ラクッション極, June 2026). Research published in Cell Metabolism (May 2026) establishes the company's proprietary S-1-propenyl-L-cysteine (S1PC) compound as a key differentiation, with an S1PC brand site (s1pc.jp) supporting new healthspan nutraceutical positioning. The company maintains global operations across Japan, the USA (Wakunaga of America, established 1972, factory in Riverside County, California), and Europe (Wakunaga of Europe, established 2017 in Berlin; Grünwalder acquisition 2020), with Kyolic products sold in 60+ countries and Kyolic Kapseln approved as a drug in Germany (2022) for arteriosclerosis prevention.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Leopin Series: Tonic products containing aged garlic extract, including Leopin, Kyoleopin, Leopin Five, Leopin Royal variants
• Kyolic
• One Support (ワンサポート)
• Optarna (オプターナ)

Products and services

• Leopin Royal w (レオピンロイヤルw) Pharmaceutical nutritional tonic containing the maximum amount of aged garlic extract plus 6 herbal ingredients; sold in Japan as the premium tier of the Leopin series for improving blood circulation and addressing physical decline in adults.
• Kyo-Leopin w (キョーレオピンw) Family-use pharmaceutical nutritional tonic based on aged garlic extract; designed for nutritional supplementation and fatigue relief; the mass-market tier of the Leopin brand sold through Japanese pharmacies.
• Kyolic Original Formula Aged garlic extract (AGE) dietary supplement available internationally in liquid, tablet, and capsule forms; the foundational product of the Kyolic brand sold in over 60 countries for cardiovascular and immune support.
• Kyolic Q10 Kyolic variant formulated with aged garlic extract plus coenzyme Q10, sold in Japan as a functional food for energy and cardiovascular support.
• Optana Premium (オプターナプレミアム) Class 2 OTC eye drop with 9 active ingredients all at maximum permitted concentrations; targets severe eye fatigue from aging and digital device use, relieving tired eyes and blurry vision associated with eye discharge.
• One Support (ワンサポート) Dog-specific health supplement developed using Wakunaga's human pharmaceutical R&D expertise; contains aged garlic extract to support senior dogs' health; retails at ¥1,760 including tax.
• Laxion Kiwami (ラクッション極) Functional food for knee joint health support containing salmon nasal cartilage-derived proteoglycan and unmodified type II collagen; targets healthy middle-aged and older adults with knee discomfort during activities such as climbing stairs, walking, and squatting.
• HLA Typing Reagent Complete Kit Complete diagnostic reagent kit combining reagents for gene amplification through final detection; adopted for bone marrow bank donor registration testing (over 20,000 donors tested annually).
• Rapichek H-FABP Acute myocardial infarction diagnostic drug based on H-FABP; received the Japan Clinical Chemistry Society Technology Award upon launch.
• Baxdela (delafloxacin) - out-licensed new quinolone antimicrobial New quinolone antimicrobial agent effective against MRSA and broad-spectrum bacteria; discovered by Wakunaga and licensed to Melinta Therapeutics for US production and marketing; used for acute bacterial skin and soft tissue infections (ABSSSI).
• Kyolic Kapseln Single-formulation aged garlic extract capsule product approved as a pharmaceutical drug in Germany for arteriosclerosis prevention under the Traditional Herbal Medicinal Products (THMP) framework.
• Kyolic Kardio Liquid Food for Special Medical Purposes (FSMP) containing aged garlic extract, distributed through European channels after the 2020 Grünwalder acquisition.
• Optana (オプターナ) Eye Drops range Wakunaga's eye drop product range marketed under the Optana brand, including the premium Optana Premium variant; sold as OTC eye drops for eye fatigue relief.

Quantifiable outcome

• S1PC treatment significantly increased skeletal muscle force, restored body temperatures to youthful levels, and reduced frailty scores in aged mice
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• Research institutions for S1PC studycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 May 2026Joint research on S1PC (S-1-propenyl-L-cysteine) with researchers including Suzuki J, Kurita M, Ohtani M, Matsutomo T leading to publication in Cell Metabolism 2026 demonstrating muscle health benefits of aged garlic extract compound through LKB1-SIRT1-eNAMPT axis activation.
• Grünwalder Gesundheitsprodukte GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Acquired by Wakunaga of Europe in 2020 to expand European business operations. Grünwalder is based in Bad Tölz, Germany, and complements Wakunaga's European health product portfolio.
• Melinta TherapeuticsmajorTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2018Licensed Baxdela (delafloxacin), a new quinolone antimicrobial agent discovered by Wakunaga, to Melinta Therapeutics for production and marketing in the USA. Baxdela received FDA approval and was launched in the US market in 2018 for treatment of acute bacterial skin and soft tissue infections (ABSSSI), including MRSA.
• Astellas PharmamajorTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2014Co-developed and out-licensed an antibacterial agent with Astellas Pharma, which received marketing approval in the USA. The drug is effective against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and broad-spectrum bacteria.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Taisho Pharmaceutical: Major Japanese OTC pharmaceutical company with strong energy/tonic franchise (Lipovitan) comparable to Wakunaga's Leopin. Direct competitor in Japan's nourishing tonic and OTC category with similar pharmacy distribution model.
• Herbalife Nutrition: Global nutrition supplements company with broad botanical and wellness product portfolio. Direct comparable in product category (herbal/botanical supplements), global distribution scale, and consumer health positioning, though distribution model (MLM) differs.
• Standard Process: US privately-held whole food and botanical supplement manufacturer. Comparable as a science-focused, vertically integrated supplement company with proprietary processing methods and practitioner/professional channel distribution.
• Blackmores Limited: Australian-listed vitamins and supplements company with global distribution (especially in Asia), strong herbal/botanical positioning, and family-influenced history. Comparable in product mix, international expansion approach, and brand-led herbal supplement strategy.
• NOW Foods: Family-owned US supplement manufacturer with extensive herbal and botanical product line. Directly comparable as a privately-held supplement company with manufacturing scale, broad product portfolio, and global distribution through health food stores.
• Nature's Way: US-based herbal and botanical supplements company owned by Schwabe Group. Comparable in herbal specialization (garlic, echinacea, etc.), science-based positioning, and pharmacy/health food retail distribution.
• Rohto Pharmaceutical: Japanese OTC pharmaceutical company specializing in eye care, gastrointestinal, and skincare products. Comparable as Japanese OTC manufacturer with international expansion, similar regulatory environment, and overlapping categories (eye drops comparable to Wakunaga's Optana).
• Nature's Bounty (Revival Labs): Major US-based vitamin and botanical supplement manufacturer with broad mass-market portfolio including herbal products. Comparable in supplement manufacturing, retail distribution through drug stores and pharmacies, and competing in similar cardiovascular and immune health categories.

Emerging players

• Integrative Therapeutics: US-based practitioner-channel supplement manufacturer with broad herbal and specialty supplement portfolio. Comparable in science-backed botanical supplements and professional channel positioning, particularly in specialty categories like cardiovascular and immune health.

Broad incumbents

• Tsumura & Co. Japan's leading traditional herbal medicine (Kampo) company. Comparable as Japanese pharmaceutical company with botanical heritage, scientific research foundation, and consumer health positioning, though primarily focused on prescription Kampo formulas rather than supplements.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xyoutube.com/watch?v=yK-UffXLIkw&feature=youtu.be
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC
• Facebookfacebook.com/wakunagahandball
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company
• Instagraminstagram.com/akitakata_wakunaga_hc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries4 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 Wakunaga Pharmaceutical