Kyoto Pharmaceutical Industries

What Kyoto Pharmaceutical Industries does

Kyoto Pharmaceutical Industries, Ltd. (京都薬品工業株式会社) is a private, family-controlled Japanese pharmaceutical manufacturer founded in 1946 (with predecessor operations dating to 1901) and headquartered in Kyoto, Japan. The company operates across three pillars: new drug discovery, novel formulation development, and manufacturing of prescription drugs, OTC medications, quasi-drugs, and health foods, with ~300 employees and FY May 2025 revenue of 80.868 billion yen. Its business model is alliance-based: Kyoto Pharmaceutical discovers novel candidate compounds through academic collaboration and creates original formulations using proprietary technologies—including Orally Disintegrating Tablets of Kyoto (ODK), low-molecular DDS for cancer and rare diseases, injection-to-suppository/oral conversion, and prodrug design—then licenses the resulting products to major Japanese pharmaceutical companies (Sumitomo Pharma, Kyowa Kirin, Zeria, TOA EIYO, Daiichi Sankyo Healthcare, Taisho, Taiho) for clinical development, regulatory navigation, and marketing. The company also operates a wholly-owned OTC subsidiary, Kyotoyakuhin Healthcare, and offers contract manufacturing services backed by PIC/S GMP-compliant facilities at the Osadano Plant (4 billion+ tablet and 40 million suppository annual capacity) and the Kyoto headquarters plant.

The technology base is anchored in formulation chemistry rather than data or AI, and the manufacturing footprint combines Japan's first automated unmanned nighttime tableting (introduced 1980), low-humidity rooms, automated warehouses, and on-site solar generation, with the most recent capacity addition being the Head Office No.2 Factory completed in 2021. Commercial outputs span cardiovascular Rx (Natrix for hypertension, Vastarel F for ischemic heart disease, digoxin preparations), anti-inflammatory suppositories, constipation treatments, and a branded OTC portfolio that includes the TRANSINO whitening line (Daiichi Sankyo Healthcare), Solmack Q-arl S (Taiho Pharmaceutical, 2022 launch), and intestinal regulators under the Kyotoyakuhin Healthcare subsidiary. Its only disclosed international alliance is with Les Laboratoires Servier of France. The company is led by the Kitao family: Kazuhiko Kitao (Ph.D.) serves as Representative Director, Chairman and CEO; Seishi Kitao as Representative Director, President and CEO (since 2022); and Tatsuya Kitao (Ph.D.) as Executive Managing Director overseeing R&D and production, with an outside director seat held by an executive of Sumitomo Pharma, reflecting the strategic depth of that relationship.

Name

Kyoto Pharmaceutical Industries

Legal name

京都薬品工業株式会社 (Kyoto Pharmaceutical Industries, Ltd.)

Website

https://kyoto-pharm.co.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

1946

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Kyoto Pharmaceutical Industries is a private, family-controlled Japanese drug manufacturer that discovers novel compounds and proprietary formulations (ODK tablets, DDS, prodrugs), then licenses them to major Japanese pharma for Rx and OTC marketing, while running PIC/S GMP contract manufacturing from its Kyoto and Osadano plants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Pharmaceutical Manufacturing

NAICS

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

SIC

Pharmaceutical Preparations (2834)

akta.pro primary industry

Primary Care & General Medicine Pharmaceuticals (HLAIAAAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Small-Molecule Generics (Branded/Unbranded) (HLAIABAA), Specialty Pharmaceutical Distributors (HLAIAJAB)

Keywords

• Pharmaceutical manufacturing
• Prescription drugs
• OTC medications
• Drug formulation
• Contract manufacturing

Headquarters

HQ city

Kyoto

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Prescription Drug Manufacturing and Sales: Manufacturing and sales of prescription drugs for hypertension, ischemic heart disease, constipation, anti-inflammatory, and cardiotonic treatments through licensing partnerships with major pharmaceutical companies
2. OTC Drug Manufacturing and Sales: Manufacturing and sales of non-prescription drugs including intestinal regulators, vitamin supplements, laxatives, and quasi-drugs through partnerships with companies like Daiichi Sankyo Healthcare and Zeria Pharmaceutical
3. Contract Manufacturing Services: CMC-related contract operations including formulation prescription development, formulation research, specification standards establishment, test method development, and manufacturing of prescription drugs with annual capacity exceeding 4 billion tablets

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels9 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Kyoto Pharmaceutical Industries is a private Japanese pharmaceutical manufacturer that discovers novel drug candidate compounds, develops original formulations, and produces prescription drugs, OTC medications, quasi-drugs, and health foods. The company licenses its developed products to major pharmaceutical companies such as Sumitomo Pharma, Kyowa Kirin, ZERIA, Daiichi Sankyo Healthcare, and Taisho Pharmaceutical for marketing and distribution, while also offering contract manufacturing services to pharmaceutical partners.

Product overview

Kyoto Pharmaceutical Industries is a pharmaceutical manufacturer offering prescription drugs (医療用医薬品), OTC drugs (一般用医薬品), quasi-drugs (医薬部外品), and health foods. The prescription drug portfolio includes cardiovascular treatments (hypertension, ischemic heart disease, cardiotonics), diuretics, anti-inflammatory analgesics, and constipation treatments, marketed through partners including Sumitomo Pharma, Zeria Pharmaceutical, and TOA EIYO. The OTC and quasi-drug portfolio includes intestinal regulators (APPETATE, ISTOLON, LACSALET, BIORTH, Biolux), oropharyngeal medications (MARDRE, Feroppus), vitamin C supplements (FEMEAL White II, TRANSINO), vitamin B1 supplements (Neuvita), laxatives (New Lecicarbon, Withone, Colac), and skin health products (TRANSINO White-C Premium, Solmack Q-ARL S). Products are manufactured at company facilities and distributed through marketing partners including Kyoto Yakuhin Healthcare, Daiichi Sankyo Healthcare, Taiho Pharmaceutical, Zeria Pharmaceutical, and Taisho Pharmaceutical.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ODK (Orally Disintegrating Tablets of Kyoto): Proprietary orally disintegrating tablet technology developed by Kyoto Pharmaceutical Industries for improved patient compliance and easier drug intake
• アペテート整腸薬 (APPETATE Seichoyaku)
• トランシーノ ホワイトC (TRANSINO White-C)
• ソルマック® キュアールS

Products and services

• Prescription Drugs (Natrix, Vastarel F, Triterin, Digoxin-KY, Diclofenac Sodium Suppositories, New Lecicarbon) Prescription pharmaceuticals for hypertension, ischemic heart disease, anti-inflammatory and analgesic use, constipation treatment, and cardiotonic indications. Marketed through licensees including Sumitomo Pharma, ZERIA Pharmaceutical, and TOA EIYO. Sold to healthcare providers (hospitals, clinics, pharmacies) for patient treatment.
• OTC Drugs (Appetate, Istolon, Lacsalet, Mardre, Femeal White II, Transino White-C, Neuvitacondro, New Lecicarbon S, Withone) Over-the-counter medications including intestinal regulators (lactic acid bacteria + natto bacteria combinations), oropharyngeal medications for throat pain and inflammation, vitamin C supplements with L-Cysteine for pigmentation, vitamin B1 supplements for joint and muscle pain, and laxatives. Marketed for consumer self-medication.
• Transino White-C Premium OTC pharmaceutical product for spot and pigmentation care containing maximum approved amount of vitamin C and L-Cysteine, with 5 vitamins supporting skin health. Marketed by Daiichi Sankyo Healthcare Co., Ltd.
• Solmac Q-arl S (Solmack Q-ARL S) Designated quasi-drug for hangover relief and skin health. Contains L-Cysteine supporting alcohol metabolism and vitamins for improving fatigue and skin conditions (dryness, irritation). Jointly developed with Taiho Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
• Quasi-Drugs (Biolt, Biolux) Quasi-drug products containing three kinds of lactic acid bacteria that regulate intestinal function. Marketed by Kyoto Yakuhin Healthcare Co., Ltd. for consumer intestinal health.
• Contract Manufacturing (Itaku) Services CMC-related contract operations for pharmaceutical companies, including formulation prescription development, formulation research, specification standards establishment, test method development, and contract manufacturing of prescription drugs. Annual capacity exceeding 4 billion tablets at PIC/S GMP-compliant Osadano Plant.
• Health Foods Health foods business acquired from Marupi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. in 2005. Marketed through Kyoto Yakuhin Healthcare Co., Ltd. subsidiary for consumer wellness.
• ODK (Orally Disintegrating Tablets of Kyoto) Formulation Technology Proprietary orally disintegrating tablet formulation technology for tablets that dissolve quickly in the mouth without water, improving patient compliance and quality of life. Available for licensing to pharmaceutical partners for application in their product portfolios.

Quantifiable outcome

• Annual manufacturing capacity of over 4 billion tablets and 40 million suppositories
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Taiho Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 August 2022Co-developed and markets Solmac Q-arl S (designated quasi-drug); joint development partnership for hangover relief and skin health product launched in August 2022
• Kyoto Pharmaceutical Healthcare Co., Ltd.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 1998Subsidiary company established in 1998 for marketing OTC drugs and health foods; 100% owned subsidiary
• Nippo Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (日本製薬工業協会/日邦薬品工業)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 1951Partnership started in 1951 with Nishinippon Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (now Nippo Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.) for marketing Hustosil products
• Inabata & Co., Ltd. (稲畑産業)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 1948Trading company partnership started in 1948 for marketing products including Hustosil and Myoseden Tablets
• Les Laboratoires Servier (France)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational partnership with Servier, a French pharmaceutical company, representing Kyoto Pharmaceutical's primary overseas collaboration for drug development and research
• Sumitomo Pharma Co., Ltd.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor partnership for marketing prescription drugs including Natrix Tablets (hypertension), Vastarel F Tablets (ischemic heart disease), and Triterin Capsule. Products licensed and marketed through Sumitomo Pharma's distribution network.
• Kyowa Kirin Co., Ltd.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for EPA preparation Emeradole Capsules; licensed to Kyowa Kirin for marketing
• ZERIA Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMarkets Diclofenac Sodium Suppositories and New Lecicarbon Suppository; long-standing partnership dating back to 1990
• TOA EIYO LTD.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMarkets Digoxin-KY Tablets, Halfdigoxin-KY Tablets, and Digoxin Tablets; partnership started in 2002
• Daiichi Sankyo Healthcare Co., Ltd.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMarkets OTC products including TRANSINO White-C and TRANSINO White-C Premium for skin pigmentation treatment; partnership started in 2014
• Taisho Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMarkets Colac Suppository Type for constipation treatment; partnership started in 2003

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Fuji Pharma: Japanese pharmaceutical company specializing in women's health and specialty injectables with a focus on formulation and contract manufacturing. Comparable in size, manufacturing focus, and partnership-based sales model.
• Sawai Group Holdings: Japan's largest generics pharmaceutical manufacturer with overlapping prescription and OTC capabilities and a similarly large domestic manufacturing footprint. Closely comparable in scale, channel-partner sales model, and generics-supply positioning.
• Kissei Pharmaceutical: Mid-sized Japanese pharmaceutical company with proprietary drug development and manufacturing. Comparable in scale, R&D-driven strategy, and partnership-led commercialization for specialty products.
• Zeria Pharmaceutical: Mid-sized Japanese pharma with overlapping prescription suppository and constipation-treatment portfolio. Both a long-standing licensing partner (since 1990) and a directly comparable peer in therapeutic area focus and OTC/prescription split.
• Nichi-Iko Pharmaceutical: Japanese generic pharmaceutical company with diversified prescription, OTC and quasi-drug portfolio and significant contract manufacturing services. Directly comparable in business model, scale, and channel-partner distribution approach.
• Towa Pharmaceutical: Major Japanese generic drug manufacturer with strong formulation technology focus and PIC/S-GMP manufacturing. Highly comparable in product mix (oral solids, suppositories), licensing-driven commercial model, and Japan-centric footprint.
• Mochida Pharmaceutical: Mid-sized Japanese pharmaceutical manufacturer with proprietary formulation technology, specialty prescription drugs, and OTC products. Comparable as a research-driven, formulation-focused private-style Japanese pharma with similar product categories.

Broad incumbents

• Kyowa Kirin: Large Japanese pharmaceutical company and a licensing partner for Kyoto Pharmaceutical's Emeradole Capsules (EPA preparation). Operates broadly in specialty pharma; relevant as a partner-incumbent peer rather than direct competitor.
• Taiho Pharmaceutical: Major Japanese pharmaceutical company and a co-development partner of Kyoto Pharmaceutical (Solmac Q-arl S, 2022). Larger and broader in oncology and consumer health, but a relevant incumbent peer given overlapping OTC/quasi-drug channels.

Emerging players

• Bushu Pharmaceuticals: Japanese contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) with significant solid-dosage and injectable capacity. Comparable in the contract manufacturing and CMC services line of Kyoto Pharmaceutical's business, though more CDMO-focused.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

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 Kyoto Pharmaceutical Industries