What Kaigen Pharma does

Kaigen Pharma Co., Ltd. is an Osaka-based Japanese pharmaceutical company operating as the pharmaceutical division of the Sakai Chemical Group (a diversified chemicals conglomerate spanning titanium oxide, barium, strontium, and zinc products). The company was formed in April 2013 through the integration of Sakai Chemical Industry's pharmaceutical business division with Kaigen Co., Ltd. and Kyosei Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., consolidating a business whose flagship cold remedy 改源 (Kaigen) traces back to 1924.

The company operates three product lines. (1) Prescription medical products and devices, sold through a nationwide network of Medical Representatives calling on hospitals, clinics, and health checkup centers from 11 sales offices: this includes the Baritop X-ray contrast agent series (~50% domestic Japanese market share), gastrointestinal treatment drugs, the CleanTop series of flexible endoscope cleaning and disinfection equipment, the Liftal®K endoscopic submucosal injection material, endoscopic injection needles, and contracted specimen testing services including the saliva-based SalivaChecker cancer risk test. (2) OTC consumer pharmaceuticals (cold remedies, nasal sprays, cough/throat medicines, eye drops, digestive aids) and health foods sold through pharmacies, drug stores, mass retailers, and direct e-commerce (kaigenfood.jp), anchored by the century-old 改源 brand. (3) Beauty and health products sold primarily through dermatology and aesthetic clinics, including the SOLPRO+ WHITE UV-protection supplement and cream line built on the patented CarboClear™ ingredient and Marine Polyphenol® developed with Mie University, the Corrm and APPLAURA supplement lines, and the WINDSCELL medical beauty device.

Kaigen Pharma generates revenue through one-time product sales across prescription, OTC, medical-device, health-food, and clinical-testing categories, with manufacturing conducted at the Nagano Factory (Osaka prefecture) and the Okusawa and Tenshin factories in Otaru (Hokkaido), all operating under GMP with ISO 9001 and ISO 13485 certifications. Distribution is split between direct institutional sales for prescription products and channel/retail plus DTC e-commerce for consumer products. The company is a private consolidated subsidiary of Sakai Chemical Co., Ltd.; no external investors, public listing, or disclosed capital structure changes are evident. Domestic operations span all major Japanese regions, with a single formalized international partnership for OTC exports to Taiwan via Daiwa Trading.

Name

Kaigen Pharma

Legal name

Kaigen Pharma Co.,Ltd.

Website

https://kaigen-pharma.co.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

1924

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Kaigen Pharma is an Osaka-based subsidiary of Sakai Chemical Group that manufactures prescription X-ray contrast agents (≈50% Japan share), OTC cold remedies under the century-old 改源 brand, health foods, endoscopic devices, and aesthetic-clinic beauty products, distributed via 11 sales offices and pharmacy channels across Japan.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Pharmaceuticals

NAICS

Pharmaceutical Preparation Manufacturing (325412), Drugs and Druggists' Sundries Merchant Wholesalers (42421)

SIC

Pharmaceutical Preparations (2834), Wholesale-Drugs, Proprietaries & Druggists' Sundries (5122)

akta.pro primary industry

Cold, Flu, Cough & Allergy Remedies (Decongestants, Antihistamines, Cough Syrups, Lozenges) (CRADAMAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Cold, Flu & Cough Remedies (HLAIADAB), Eye, Ear & Nasal Care OTC (Eye Drops, Ear Drops/Wax Removal, Saline Sprays) (CRADAMAG), Dermatology OTC & Skin Health (Acne Treatments, Eczema/Psoriasis OTC, Antifungals, Wart Removal) (CRADAMAF), Dermatology & Aesthetics Pharmaceuticals (HLAIAAAK), OTC Pain Relief & Fever (Analgesics, Anti-inflammatory, Topical Pain Relief) (CRADAMAC)

Keywords

• Pharmaceutical products
• OTC medications
• Medical devices
• Health supplements
• Gastrointestinal diagnostics

Headquarters

HQ city

Osaka

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices12 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Prescription Pharmaceuticals (医療用医薬品): X-ray contrast agents, gastrointestinal treatments, and other prescription drugs sold to healthcare institutions through MR representatives. Includes around 50% domestic market share in X-ray contrast agents.
2. OTC/General-use Pharmaceuticals (一般用医薬品): Over-the-counter drugs including the flagship cold remedy '改源 (Kaigen)', nasal sprays, cough medicines, throat sprays, digestive aids, and other consumer healthcare products sold through pharmacies and drug stores.
3. Medical Devices (医療機器): Endoscopic cleaning/disinfection equipment, endoscopic submucosal injection materials, injection needles, and examination foods for colonoscopy procedures.
4. Health Foods (健康食品): Functional foods including メモエル (functional claim product), 乳酸菌のまろやか青汁, and other dietary supplements sold through pharmacies, e-commerce, and retail channels.
5. Cosmetics/Beauty Products (美容製品): Medical institution-exclusive cosmetics and supplements including SOLPRO+ WHITE series (UV care), Corrm, APPLAURA, and WINSEL medical beauty devices.
6. Clinical Testing Services (臨床検査): Contracted specimen testing services including gastroenterological cancer screening tests and saliva-based cancer risk assessment (SalivaChecker®).

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Kaigen Pharma manufactures and sells a diversified portfolio spanning prescription pharmaceuticals (X-ray contrast agents with ~50% domestic market share, gastrointestinal treatments), medical devices (endoscopic submucosal injection materials, cleaning/disinfection equipment, injection needles), OTC consumer health products (flagship cold remedy 'Kaigen'/'改源' since 1924, nasal sprays, digestive aids, eye drops), functional health foods (Memoel, lactic acid bacteria drinks), and medical-grade beauty products (SOLPRO+ WHITE supplements and cosmetics, WINDSCELL beauty device). The company also offers contracted clinical testing services including saliva-based cancer risk assessment (SalivaChecker).

Product overview

Kaigen Pharma is a pharmaceutical company offering a diverse portfolio of products across three main categories: (1) General OTC medicines centered on the iconic cold medicine 'Kaigen' (改源), which has been marketed since 1924, available in powder, tablet, and capsule forms; (2) Health foods including functional display foods like Memoel for cognitive function and lactic acid bacteria supplements; and (3) Beauty/cosmeceutical products under the SOLPRO PLUS WHITE brand for UV care and skin transparency, plus beauty supplements (Corrm, APPLAURA) and the WINDSCELL medical beauty equipment. For medical institutions, the company provides X-ray contrast agents (Baritop, approximately 50% domestic market share), endoscopic devices (CLEAN TOP series), and saliva-based cancer risk testing (SalivaChecker). The product portfolio spans OTC pharmaceuticals, quasi-drugs, health foods, cosmetics, and medical devices, united by the company's expertise in herbal medicine formulations and gastrointestinal health.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SOLPRO+: Medical institution-exclusive beauty brand launched in 2016, offering UV protection supplements, cosmetics, and cleansing products. Celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2026.
• Kaigen (改源)
• SOLPRO

Products and services

• Baritop (バリトップ) Barium-based X-ray contrast agent used by hospitals, clinics, and health checkup centers for gastrointestinal imaging examinations; holds approximately 50% domestic market share in Japan.
• CLEAN TOP (クリントップ) Flexible endoscope cleaning and disinfecting device series for medical institutions performing endoscopic procedures.
• Liftal K (リフタルK) Endoscopic submucosal injection material and single-use endoscopic injection needles for gastroenterological procedures.
• SalivaChecker (サリバチェッカー) Saliva-based cancer risk assessment service using microarray blood testing technology, including gastric cancer screening, provided as contracted specimen testing for medical institutions and consumers.
• Kaigen (改源) Traditional Japanese cold medicine featuring a dual formulation of herbal (kampo) and Western ingredients, marketed as 'wind god medicine' since 1924; available in powder, tablet, capsule, and granule forms for general consumers.
• Memoel (メモエル) Functional display food containing enoki mushroom-derived ergothioneine for maintaining memory and attention in middle-aged individuals.
• WINDSCELL (ウィンセル) Medical institution-exclusive beauty equipment using world-smallest approximately 1nm water particles (Hydraid) for non-contact skin treatment without electricity or needles.
• SOLPRO PLUS WHITE Supplement (ソルプロプリュスホワイト サプルメント) Beauty supplement containing proprietary ingredient CarboClear and marine polyphenol developed with Mie University, targeting skin transparency and UV care from within; sold through medical aesthetic clinics.
• SOLPRO PLUS WHITE UV Cream (ソルプロプリュスホワイト UVクリーム) UV protection sunscreen cream SPF50+ PA++++ with tone-up effect, using physical UV scatter agents without chemical absorbers.
• Corrm (コルム) Style-up beauty supplement containing approximately 50 billion Bifidobacterium and marine elastin for body shaping, sold through medical institutions.
• APPLAURA (アプリローラ) Fragrance supplement with milk-derived oligosaccharide (LACTULOSE) and SENSEPUR for daily beauty and health maintenance with apple tea flavor.
• APPLAURA D Gel (アプリローラDジェル) Gel-type moisturizing lotion for delicate areas containing γ-decalactone for fragrance and nargezen for moisturizing, sold through medical institutions.

Quantifiable outcome

• ~50% domestic market share in X-ray contrast agents
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Sakai Chemical Group (堺化学グループ)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKaigen Pharma is part of the Sakai Chemical Group, which includes Sakai Chemical Industry Co., Ltd., Sakai Trading Co., Ltd., and other affiliated companies. The group operates in titanium oxide, barium, strontium, zinc products, resin additives, catalyst products, and electronic materials. Kaigen Pharma represents the pharmaceutical division of the group, benefiting from shared chemical manufacturing expertise and group resources.
• ORTHOREBIRTH Inc.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn October 2015, Kaigen Pharma entered into a basic agreement for business collaboration with ORTHOREBIRTH, focused on the colonoscopy examination food market.
• Daiwa Trading Co., Ltd. (大法貿易有限公司)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIn January 2017, Kaigen Pharma established an exclusive sales agency agreement with Daiwa Trading for OTC pharmaceuticals and health foods in Taiwan, expanding distribution to the Taiwanese market.
• Mie University (三重大学)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint development partnership for Marine Polyphenol® (褐藻類抽出キス抽出物), a proprietary ingredient for the SOLPRO+ WHITE beauty supplement line, targeting anti-carbonylation and skin brightening effects.
• Japanese Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (日本消化器内視鏡学会)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerKaigen Pharma supports gastroenterology academic societies as supporting members, including the Japanese Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, Japanese Society of Gastrointestinal Cancer Screening, Japanese Colon Examination Society, and others.
• Japanese Society for Gastrointestinal Cancer Screening (日本消化器がん検診学会)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerSupporting membership in academic societies related to gastroenterology diagnosis and screening.
• Japanese Ham Co., Ltd. (日本ハム株式会社)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint development of DarmSpace Delicia® colonoscopy examination food in February 2011, combining Kaigen's pharmaceutical expertise with Japanese Ham's food technology.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Taiho Pharmaceutical: Major Japanese oncology-focused pharma with consumer health and prescription products. Comparable to Kaigen's prescription drug manufacturing and medical-channel MR-driven sales, although much larger and oncology-specialized.
• Olympus Medical Systems: Global leader in endoscopy equipment and accessories, with a complementary relationship to Kaigen's endoscopic submucosal injection materials (Liftal K) and cleaning/disinfection equipment (Clean Top). Adjacent peer operating in the same gastroenterology clinical workflow.
• Bracco Imaging: Global leader in contrast media and diagnostic imaging solutions, including barium-based gastrointestinal contrast agents. Closest global competitor to Kaigen's flagship Baritop product line in the X-ray contrast market.

Direct peers

• Daiichi Sankyo Healthcare: OTC consumer health subsidiary of Daiichi Sankyo; markets pain relief (Loxonin S), cold remedies, and dermatology products in Japan. Direct overlap with Kaigen in OTC cold, pain, and dermatology through pharmacy distribution.
• Zeria Pharmaceutical: Mid-sized Japanese pharma with both prescription (gastrointestinal) and OTC products. Comparable to Kaigen's gastrointestinal focus on the prescription side and consumer OTC distribution on the retail side.
• Rohto Pharmaceutical: Leading Japanese OTC pharmaceutical company with strong positions in eye care (V-Rohto), nasal sprays, dermatology, and gastroenterology. Highly comparable to Kaigen's eye drop (Eye Blue), nasal spray (Kaigen Nasal), and gastrointestinal product portfolio, with similarly broad OTC distribution.
• Taisho Pharmaceutical: Major Japanese OTC pharmaceutical company known for flagship cold/flu brand 'Lipovitan' and broader consumer health portfolio. Closest direct competitor to Kaigen in the OTC cold remedy and general-use medicine category, with comparable nationwide pharmacy distribution.
• Sato Pharmaceutical: Japanese OTC-focused pharma company with a long history in cold remedies, gastrointestinal drugs, and skin care products. Highly comparable to Kaigen's product mix and distribution model, including regulatory-grade OTC manufacturing.
• Kobayashi Pharmaceutical: Japanese OTC health, hygiene, and beauty brand company offering comparable consumer healthcare categories to Kaigen's general-use portfolio. Comparable mid-sized Japanese pharma operating across OTC, supplements, and household remedies.
• Tsumura & Co. Japan's leading manufacturer of traditional kampo (herbal) prescription and OTC medicines. Comparable to Kaigen's herbal-based cold medicine formulations and shared focus on combining traditional herbal ingredients with modern dosage forms.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/kaigen_otc
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC7m6flk8PdsMKT4XkH7VXUg
• Instagraminstagram.com/kaigen_biyou

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments3 records

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

Frequently asked questions about Kaigen Pharma