What Nihon Generic does

Nihon Generic Co., Ltd. (日本ジェネリック株式会社) is a Japan-based generic pharmaceutical manufacturer founded on January 5, 2005, and operating as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nichi-Iko Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. The company manufactures and supplies generic medicines for the Japanese market, with 384 catalog items of which 159 are manufactured in-house at its Tsukuba and Tsukuba Second factories as of March 2026, and the remainder distributed. Its product portfolio spans multiple therapeutic categories and includes both prescription generics and, since 2024, an over-the-counter Minoxidil 5% formulation. Recent launches have prioritized higher-complexity molecules such as Tacrolimus, Bosentan, Abiraterone, Lacosamide, and Rivaroxaban.

The company operates a GMP-compliant manufacturing base in Tsukuba (Ibaraki Prefecture), supported by a nationwide logistics network including a West Japan Logistics Center in Sanda City, Hyogo, and a headquarters relocated to Tamachi Station Tower S in Tokyo in September 2024. It holds ISO 14001 environmental management certification. Production is concentrated in two factories that the company describes as forming a 'generic medicine town.' The workforce stood at 556 employees as of June 1, 2026, and registered capital is ¥100 million. In November 2021, the company expanded its manufacturing base through the acquisition of Choseido Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.

Nihon Generic's revenue model is a B2B sale of generic pharmaceuticals to wholesalers, hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies, with distribution tightly integrated into the Nichi-Iko pharmacy network. Pricing follows Japanese generic reimbursement rules, with revenue tied to volume dispensed and periodic government-led price revisions. The OTC Minoxidil product adds a consumer-channel revenue line sold through retail pharmacies at a fixed retail price. Customer concentration sits primarily with the Nichi-Iko parent pharmacy channel for prescription volume, partially offset by wholesale distribution and the OTC line.

Name

Nihon Generic

Legal name

日本ジェネリック株式会社

Website

https://nihon-generic.co.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Nihon Generic is a Japan-based generic pharmaceutical manufacturer and wholly-owned subsidiary of Nichi-Iko Pharmaceutical. It manufactures 159 of its 384 catalog products in-house at two Tsukuba factories, distributing generic medicines and OTC products to pharmacies, wholesalers, and medical institutions across Japan.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Generic Pharmaceuticals

NAICS

Pharmaceutical Preparation Manufacturing (325412), Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing (32541), Drugs and Druggists' Sundries Merchant Wholesalers (424210), Drugs and Druggists' Sundries Merchant Wholesalers (42421)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Generic Finished Dosage Form (FDF) Manufacturing (HLAIABAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Oral Solid Dose (OSD) Generics (HLAIABAD), Small-Molecule Generics (Branded/Unbranded) (HLAIABAA)

Keywords

• Generic pharmaceuticals
• Prescription drug manufacturing
• OTC medications
• GMP-compliant production
• Pharmaceutical distribution

Headquarters

HQ city

Marunouchi

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Prescription Generic Pharmaceutical Products: Revenue from manufacturing and selling generic pharmaceutical products (generics) to medical institutions, hospitals, and pharmacies across Japan. The company handles 384 product items (as of March 2026) and manufactures 159 product items including commissioned products.
2. OTC Pharmaceutical Products: Revenue from over-the-counter pharmaceutical products sold directly to consumers through pharmacies, such as the Minoxidil Lotion 5% 'JG' for hair growth treatment.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Nihon Generic manufactures and sells generic pharmaceutical products to medical institutions and pharmacies across Japan. The company operates an integrated R&D, manufacturing, and distribution model producing both prescription generics (covering cardiovascular, antineoplastic, CNS, diabetes, respiratory, and other therapeutic categories) and OTC products such as Minoxidil Lotion 5% 'JG' for hair growth. It runs GMP-compliant Tsukuba manufacturing facilities and supplies 384+ product items nationwide through eight regional branches and three logistics centers.

Product overview

Nihon Generic operates as a generic pharmaceutical company within the Japan Nichido Pharmaceutical Group, manufacturing and distributing prescription and over-the-counter generic medications. The company maintains an integrated business model spanning research and development, manufacturing, and sales distribution. Their prescription product portfolio exceeds 384 items covering diverse therapeutic categories including immunosuppressants (Tacrolimus capsules), cardiovascular medications (Bosentan, Rivaroxaban), antineoplastic agents (Abiraterone), antiepileptics (Lacosamide, Lamotrigine), and diabetes treatments (BIldagliptin). The OTC division offers the Minoxidil lotion 5% for hair loss treatment. Manufacturing is conducted at company facilities in Tsukuba City (Tsukuba Plant, Tsukuba Second Plant), with a subsidiary Choseido Pharmaceutical contributing additional products. The company distributes through a nationwide logistics network including East Japan, West Japan, and Sapporo logistics centers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Minoxidil Lotion 5% 'JG' First-class OTC medication for treating adult male androgenetic alopecia (androgenic hair loss). The active ingredient minoxidil dilates hair follicle blood vessels to promote hair growth. Applied topically twice daily. Sold through pharmacies with mandatory pharmacist consultation.
• Tacrolimus capsules 0.5mg/1mg/5mg 'JG' Generic immunosuppressant medication used for preventing organ rejection after transplantation and treating autoimmune conditions. Additional efficacy and dosage approval obtained in June 2026.
• Bosentan tablets 62.5mg 'JG' Generic endothelin receptor antagonist indicated for treating pulmonary arterial hypertension. Additional approval for expanded indication obtained in March 2026.
• Abiraterone acetate tablets 250mg 'JG' Generic antineoplastic agent (hormone antagonist) for treating prostate cancer. Launched December 2025.
• Lacosamide tablets 50mg/100mg 'JG' and Lacosamide dry syrup 10% 'JG' Generic antiepileptic medication for treating partial-onset seizures. Additional indication approved December 2025.
• Rivaroxaban OD tablets 10mg/15mg 'JG' Generic direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC) for treating and preventing venous thromboembolism, available as orally disintegrating tablets. Launched December 2024.
• Ezenlos combination tablets LD/HD 'JG' Generic combination antihypertensive medication launched in December 2024.
• BIldagliptin tablets 50mg 'JG' Generic DPP-4 inhibitor antidiabetic medication for type 2 diabetes treatment. Launched December 2024.
• Taltanlan OD tablets 250mg/500mg 'FCI' Generic lanthanum carbonate chewable tablets for chronic kidney disease patients requiring phosphate control. Launched December 2024.
• Ambrisentan tablets 2.5mg 'JG' Generic endothelin receptor antagonist for pulmonary arterial hypertension treatment. Launched December 2023.
• Ezestat combination tablets LD/HD 'JG' Generic combination medication for hypertension treatment. Launched September 2023.
• Budeside inhaled powder 30/60 inhalations 'JG' Generic inhaled corticosteroid for treating respiratory conditions such as asthma and COPD. Subject to FAQ support for medical professionals via the medical portal.
• Generic pharmaceutical product portfolio (384+ items) Portfolio of 384+ generic pharmaceutical products covering multiple therapeutic categories including cardiovascular drugs, antineoplastics, anti-infectives, CNS medications, diabetes treatments, and respiratory drugs. The company handles 384 product items as of March 2026 and manufactures 159 product items including commissioned products. The portfolio is managed end-to-end from development through manufacturing and sales.

Quantifiable outcome

• 384品目 handling capacity, 159品目 manufacturing capacity

Named customers3 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

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Japan Tego Co., Ltd. (日本调配株式会社)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2021Parent company and core strategic partner. Japan Tego operates a nationwide pharmacy chain and provides patient feedback that Nihon Generic incorporates into product development.
• Medical Resource Co., Ltd. (株式会社ニューロスペース)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of Japan Tego Group, providing medical staffing and placement services for healthcare professionals.
• Choseido Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (長生堂製薬株式会社)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSubsidiary acquired in November 2021, expanding manufacturing capacity and product portfolio. Operates Kawauchi Factory.
• Japan Pharmaceutical Comprehensive Research Institute Co., Ltd. (株式会社日本医薬総合研究所)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of Japan Tego Group, provides pharmaceutical consulting services.
• Japan Generic Pharmaceutical Association (日本ジェネリック製薬協会/JGA)minorOthersIndustry association for generic pharmaceutical companies in Japan. Nihon Generic is a member.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Nichi-Iko Pharmaceutical: One of the leading Japanese generic manufacturers, offering a comprehensive generics portfolio plus biosimilars. Comparable in business model (NHI-priced generics) and customer base, with broader scale and a more diversified product mix than Nihon Generic.
• Sawai Pharmaceutical: One of Japan's largest generic pharmaceutical manufacturers, with a broad portfolio of oral solid dose generics and nationwide distribution. Directly comparable to Nihon Generic in product category, customer base (medical institutions and pharmacies), and NHI-regulated business model, but at materially greater scale.
• Choseido Pharmaceutical: Wholly-owned subsidiary of Nihon Generic since November 2021, operating the Kawauchi Factory and producing generic pharmaceuticals. Same business model and target customer base as Nihon Generic, providing manufacturing capacity and additional SKUs.
• Towa Pharmaceutical: Major Japanese generic drug manufacturer focused on oral solid dose generics, with extensive manufacturing capacity and a portfolio of 800+ items. Directly competes with Nihon Generic across the same therapeutic categories and pharmacy/hospital channels in Japan.

Broad incumbents

• Medipal Holdings: One of Japan's largest pharmaceutical wholesalers, distributing prescription drugs including generics across the country. Overlaps with Nihon Generic in serving the same hospital and pharmacy customers via different channels.
• Meiji Seika Pharma: Established Japanese pharmaceutical company with a generics business alongside branded specialty drugs. Overlaps with Nihon Generic in generic hospital and institutional products but operates at substantially larger scale and with a broader therapeutic footprint.
• Alfresa Corporation: Major Japanese pharmaceutical wholesaler distributing both branded and generic drugs to hospitals and pharmacies nationwide. Comparable as a downstream distribution channel and supply chain intermediary that competes indirectly with Nihon Generic's own distribution function.
• Tsumura & Co. Established Japanese pharmaceutical manufacturer primarily focused on Kampo (traditional herbal) medicines but also produces prescription pharmaceuticals. Comparable as a domestic Japanese pharma manufacturer operating under similar regulatory frameworks, though with a differentiated product focus.
• Suzuken: Major Japanese pharmaceutical wholesaler with nationwide distribution to medical institutions and pharmacies. Comparable as a distribution intermediary serving the same end customers as Nihon Generic's prescription generics business.

Others

• Nichiko Pharmaceutical: Parent company of Nihon Generic and one of Japan's largest dispensing pharmacy chains. Comparable through shared ownership and a vertically integrated business model that channels pharmacy demand signals into Nihon Generic's product development.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries1 record

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 Nihon Generic