What Hisamitsu Pharmaceutical does

Hisamitsu Pharmaceutical Co., Inc. is a Japanese pharmaceutical company founded in 1847 in Saga Prefecture that specializes in transdermal drug delivery systems (TDDS). The company operates two principal business lines: over-the-counter consumer health products—anchored by the Salonpas brand, which holds the world's No. 1 position in OTC topical analgesics for ten consecutive years per Euromonitor—and prescription pharmaceuticals distributed through medical representatives to hospitals and clinics. Its products reach consumers in more than 40 countries, with overseas sales representing 47.2% of FY2024 revenue and a stated target of 50% by FY2025.

The product portfolio spans OTC pain relief patches, sprays, and topical formulations (Salonpas, Feitas, Nobinobi SalonShip, Air Salonpas, Butenrock) alongside prescription transdermal therapeutics in pain management (Mohrus, Zictoru), neurology (Haruropi for Parkinson's, XELSTRYM for ADHD, SECUADO for schizophrenia), hormone replacement therapy (Estrana), respiratory (TZA), urology (NEOXIGIN for overactive bladder), and dermatology (APOHIDE for hyperhidrosis). Core proprietary technologies include the HalDisc and Sheetify microneedle platforms intended for injection-free delivery of macromolecular drugs and vaccines, advanced patch formulations, and original in-house manufacturing equipment. Manufacturing is conducted at five facilities across Japan (Tosu and Utsunomiya), the United States (via Noven Pharmaceuticals, acquired in 2009), Brazil, Vietnam, and Indonesia.

The business model combines consumer retail sales through pharmacies, drugstores, supermarkets, and convenience stores with prescription pharmaceutical sales under Japan's national health insurance reimbursement framework. Direct-to-consumer e-commerce operates through the Hisamitsu Wellness platform (e-hisamitsu.jp). In FY2025 (ended February 2025), consolidated revenue reached ¥156.0 billion (up 10.1% year-over-year) with operating profit of ¥18.9 billion (up 43.5%) and net income of ¥21.8 billion (up 55.8%); FY2024 revenue mix was approximately 49.5% OTC and 48.3% prescription. In January 2026, CEO Kazuhide Nakatomi, a member of the founding Nakatomi family, announced a ¥457 billion ($2.9 billion) management buyout with bank financing to take the company private.

Name

Hisamitsu Pharmaceutical

Legal name

久光製薬株式会社 (Hisamitsu Pharmaceutical Co., Inc.)

Website

http://www.hisamitsu.co.jp/english

Company type

Public

Founded year

1847

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Hisamitsu Pharmaceutical, founded in 1847, is a Japanese pharmaceutical company specializing in transdermal drug delivery systems (TDDS). It produces OTC pain relief patches—including the world No. 1 Salonpas brand—and prescription transdermal therapeutics distributed across more than 40 countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Topical analgesics and transdermal pharmaceuticals

NAICS

Pharmaceutical Preparation Manufacturing (325412), Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing (32541)

SIC

Pharmaceutical Preparations (2834)

akta.pro primary industry

Pain Management & Anesthesiology Pharmaceuticals (HLAIAAAN)

akta.pro secondary industries

OTC Pain Relief & Fever (Analgesics, Anti-inflammatory, Topical Pain Relief) (CRADAMAC), Pain Relief & Anti-Inflammatory (Analgesics) (HLAIADAA), Respiratory & Allergy Pharmaceuticals (HLAIAAAH), Dermatology Specialty Pharmaceuticals (HLAIACAL)

Keywords

• Transdermal drug delivery
• Topical analgesic patches
• Prescription pharmaceuticals
• OTC pain relief
• Patch manufacturing

Headquarters

HQ city

Tosu

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices25 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Prescription Pharmaceutical Sales (医療用医薬品): Sales of prescription drugs including MORUS pain relief patches, ZICTOR pain management patches, hormonal patches, respiratory patches, and other therapeutic transdermal products sold to hospitals and clinics through MRs.
2. OTC Pharmaceutical Sales (一般用医薬品): Consumer-facing over-the-counter products including Salonpas, Feitas, Air Salonpas, Nobinobi Salon Ship, Butenrock, and Allegra FX sold through pharmacies, drug stores, supermarkets, and convenience stores.
3. Overseas Sales: International sales of both prescription and OTC products through subsidiaries in USA, Brazil, Vietnam, Indonesia, and sales to over 40 countries. Includes Salonpas brand products and MORUS prescription products in various markets.
4. Cosmetics and Skincare: Sales of Lifecella skincare products and other cosmetic formulations using proprietary skin care technologies.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Hisamitsu Pharmaceutical manufactures and sells transdermal pharmaceutical products based on its proprietary TDDS (Transdermal Drug Delivery System) platform. Its portfolio spans over-the-counter pain relief patches and topical analgesics led by the Salonpas brand, complementary OTC lines (Feitas, Nobinobi SalonShip, Air Salonpas, Butenrock V, Allegra FX), and a prescription pharmaceutical lineup covering pain management, Parkinson's disease, ADHD, schizophrenia, menopause, asthma, overactive bladder, and hyperhidrosis. The company operates manufacturing facilities in Japan, USA, Brazil, Vietnam, and Indonesia, distributing products to more than 40 countries.

Product overview

Hisamitsu Pharmaceutical is a Japanese pharmaceutical company specializing in transdermal drug delivery systems (TDDS). Its product portfolio spans two major categories: OTC (general-use) and prescription (医疗用) pharmaceuticals, supplemented by quasi-drugs and cosmetics. The OTC portfolio centers on the Salonpas® brand — the world's No.1 topical analgesic patch brand with 10 consecutive years of global market leadership — and includes complementary pain-relief lines Feitas®, Nobinobi SalonShip®, and Air Salonpas®, along with antifungal (Butenrock® V), antihistamine (Allegra® FX), and other category products. The prescription portfolio leverages proprietary TDDS technology across therapeutic areas including pain management (Moras® Tape, Moras® Pap XR, Zictoru® Tape), neurology (Haruropi® Tape for Parkinson's disease, SECUADO® for schizophrenia, XELSTRYM® for ADHD), women's health (Estrana® Tape for menopause), respiratory (TZA for asthma), urology (NEOXIGIN® Tape for overactive bladder), dermatology (APOHIDE® Lotion for hyperhidrosis), and allergies (Aresaga® Tape). The company's technology differentiation rests on its proprietary TDDS platform, including micro-needle technologies (HalDisc®, Sheetify®, HalDisc beaute®), enabling delivery of macromolecular drugs and vaccines without injection. The TDDS pipeline targets conditions including postherpetic neural痛, chronic low back pain, and delirium.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Salonpas (サロンパス): Flagship OTC topical analgesic patch brand, world's No.1 in its category
• Feitas (フェイタス)
• Mohrus (モーラス)
• Jictoru (ジクトル)
• Harlopi (ハルロピ)
• Alegra FX (アレグラFX)

Products and services

• Salonpas® (サロンパス®) Flagship OTC topical analgesic patch brand (貼付剤) for external pain relief. The world's top-selling topical analgesic patch brand with 10 consecutive years of No.1 global market share, sold in over 40 countries and regions worldwide. Used by consumers for muscle, joint, and back pain relief.
• Feitas® (フェイタス®) OTC external analgesic brand offering tapes, sprays, gels, and supportive garments for pain relief. Includes Feitas Z, Feitas 5.0, Feitas L, and Feitas medical supporters. For consumers with muscle and joint pain.
• Nobinobi SalonShip® (のびのび®サロンシップ®) OTC topical analgesic line featuring flexible, stretchable patch formulations for body contours. Includes Nobinobi SalonShip F, Nobinobi SalonShip Fit (Pokoship®), and Nobinobi SalonShip H variants. For consumers seeking conforming pain relief patches.
• Air Salonpas® (エアー®サロンパス®) OTC aerosol spray for topical analgesic application. Includes Air Salonpas Jet/DX, Air Salonpas Jet α, Air Salonpas Z, and Air Salonpas Icing Spray variants. For consumers preferring spray-on pain relief.
• Butenrock® V (ブテナロック®V) OTC topical antifungal treatment for athlete's foot (tinea pedis) and related fungal skin conditions. Includes standard and aerosol foam variants. For consumers with foot fungal conditions.
• Allegra® FX (アレグラ®FX) OTC antihistamine tablet for allergy symptom relief including hay fever and allergic rhinitis. Available in adult and junior formulations. For consumers suffering from seasonal or year-round allergies.
• Kodomo Robin Ai® (こどもロビンアイ®) OTC ophthalmic solution for children's eye complaints. For parents purchasing eye care for children.
• Jikabari (直貼り) OTC direct-application analgesic patch with a warm sensation for targeted pain relief. For consumers seeking warming pain relief patches.
• Active Supporter® (アクティブサポーター®) OTC supportive garment with integrated analgesic patch for joint and muscle support. For consumers needing combined mechanical and pharmacological joint support.
• Hisamitsu Wellness (久光ウエルネス) Health and wellness e-commerce platform offering dietary supplements and health goods. For consumers seeking supplements and wellness products via direct online purchase.
• Moras® Tape (モーラス®テープ)
• Moras® Pap XR (モーラス®パップXR) Prescription extended-release pap (wet wrap) formulation for sustained topical analgesic delivery. For hospitals and clinics managing patients needing long-acting topical anti-inflammatory therapy.
• Zictoru® Tape (ジクトル®テープ)
• Haruropi® Tape (ハルロピ®テープ)
• APOHIDE® LOTION (アポハイド®ローション) Prescription topical solution for primary palmar hyperhidrosis (excessive hand sweating). For dermatologists treating patients with hyperhidrosis.
• Estrana® Tape (エストラーナ®テープ)
• TZA (ツロブテロール®テープ) Prescription transdermal bronchodilator patch for asthma treatment. For respiratory physicians and pediatricians managing asthma patients.
• NEOXIGIN® Tape (ネオキシ®テープ) Prescription transdermal patch for overactive bladder treatment. For urologists treating patients with overactive bladder.
• XELSTRYM® (d-ATS) Prescription transdermal ADHD treatment patch (d-amphetamine). Launched in the US in 2023 with significant sales growth in FY2025. For psychiatrists and pediatricians treating ADHD patients in the US market.
• Aresaga® Tape (アレジサガ®テープ) Prescription transdermal patch for allergy-related indications. For allergists and physicians treating allergy patients.
• SECUADO®
• Fixpace® (フィクスペース®) Adhesive product using 貼付剤 technology to secure items (pens, utensils) to surfaces in microgravity. Launched on the ISS with Crew-5 in October 2022 and used on subsequent missions. For space agencies and astronauts.

Quantifiable outcome

• World No.1 brand position in OTC topical analgesic category for 10 consecutive years
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 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

Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Women's Health Action Executive CommitteeminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2026Hisamitsu Pharmaceutical supported the online event 'Let's Talk About Our Health' addressing women's mental and physical healthcare alongside other pharmaceutical companies including Panasonic, Astellas, Otsuka, and Chugai.
• JOC/JPC (Japan Olympic/Paralympic Committee)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerHisamitsu Pharmaceutical serves as Official Partner for TEAM JAPAN, providing external pain relief products and muscle fatigue care for athletes. Partnership supporting Japan's Olympic and Paralympic teams.
• SAGA Hisamitsu SpringscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerHisamitsu is the top partner of SAGA Hisamitsu Springs volleyball team competing in SV.LEAGUE WOMEN. The company sponsors the team and provides products for athlete care.
• Noven PharmaceuticalscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUS-based subsidiary acquired in 2009, specializing in transdermal drug delivery systems. Serves as Hisamitsu's primary R&D center for the US market and FDA regulatory submissions.
• Shonan Health Innovation Park (iPark)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for gathering latest industry information and fostering open innovation in the biotechnology/pharmaceutical ecosystem.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Endo Pharmaceuticals: Endo markets Lidoderm (lidocaine patch) and other prescription transdermal pain products, directly comparable to Hisamitsu's prescription pain patches (Moras, Zictoru). Closest US-listed direct competitor in Rx TDDS for chronic and acute pain.
• Taisho Pharmaceutical: Taisho Pharmaceutical is a major Japanese OTC and consumer healthcare company with significant presence in OTC analgesics, cold/allergy remedies, and energy drinks. Comparable in terms of Japanese OTC scale, drugstore-channel GTM, and branded consumer healthcare portfolio.
• Rohto Pharmaceutical: Rohto's Mentholatum brand competes directly with Salonpas in OTC topical analgesics across Japan, the US, and Asia. Closest Japanese-headquartered competitor with overlapping OTC pain-relief, ophthalmic, and dermatology product lines and similar drugstore-channel go-to-market.
• Chattem (Sanofi Consumer Healthcare): Chattem, now part of Sanofi Consumer Healthcare, markets Icy Hot and Aspercreme, the principal Western OTC topical analgesic patch and cream brands that compete head-to-head with Salonpas. Most direct comparable in the global OTC topical analgesic category where Hisamitsu holds the #1 share position.
• Teikoku Seiyaku: Teikoku Seiyaku is a Japanese TDDS specialist focused on transdermal pain relief and medicated patches, overlapping directly with Hisamitsu's prescription and OTC patch businesses. Comparable product platform, similar Japanese manufacturing footprint, and similar regulatory pathway.

Broad incumbents

• Pfizer: Pfizer competes with Hisamitsu through Advil topical formulations and broader prescription patch and CNS franchises. Much larger incumbent with broader therapeutic portfolio, overlapping primarily in OTC analgesics and select transdermal prescription categories.
• Johnson & Johnson: J&J markets Bengay and other OTC topical analgesics that compete with Salonpas in the US and global markets, while also operating a much broader pharmaceutical and consumer health portfolio. Larger incumbent with overlapping but not specialized topical analgesic franchise.
• Daiichi Sankyo Healthcare: Daiichi Sankyo Healthcare is the Japanese consumer healthcare arm of Daiichi Sankyo, offering OTC pain, cold/flu, and dermatology products through similar drugstore and pharmacy channels. Comparable Japanese OTC channel strategy and brand-building approach.
• Haleon (GSK Consumer Healthcare): Haleon markets Voltaren topical pain relief, a leading global OTC topical NSAID brand that competes with Salonpas. Comparable OTC topical analgesic franchise embedded within a much broader consumer healthcare portfolio.

Regional players

• Nichi-Iko Pharmaceutical: Nichi-Iko is a major Japanese generic pharmaceutical manufacturer with growing OTC and biosimilar operations. Comparable Japanese manufacturing and distribution footprint but operates primarily as a generic player with limited branded TDDS presence.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/salonpas518
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@hisamitsu7682
• Facebookfacebook.com/salonpas.jp
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hisamitsu-pharmaceutical-co.-inc.

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Subsidiaries10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A1 record

Investments2 records

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

Frequently asked questions about Hisamitsu Pharmaceutical