Discovery and Preclinical Research

Drug Discovery Research for Innovative New Drug Candidate for People Worldwide

Taiho Pharmaceutical embraces the challenge of discovering unique drug candidate compounds that show remarkable efficacy and high safety, working in the priority fields of oncology and allergy/immunology. Our researchers have knowledge and experience in various specialized fields, such as chemistry, biology, informatics, molecular design, pharmacokinetics, safety, and drug discovery using natural substances. By bringing together this expertise, we are advancing drug discovery research based on medical needs analyzed from a global perspective. In addition, we are actively working to expand our drug-enabling platform technologies, and we are accelerating drug discovery activities by pursuing global research collaboration to supplement our own technology. Regular discussions are held with international experts, and through this kind of collaboration and interaction, we are actively engaged in raising the quality of research and fostering global human resources.

Drug Discovery Division to Take on the Challenge of Unmet Medical Needs

The Discovery and Preclinical Research Division is located in Tsukuba City, Ibaraki Prefecture, the largest science city in Japan, where about 300 research institutes and companies are located. With responsibility for the future of Taiho Pharmaceutical, this drug discovery site carries out the processes from finding research "seeds" to selecting candidate compounds for preclinical studies.
The Division devotes itself to creating a workplace where researchers can demonstrate their expertise, while maintaining good work-life balance. It has rooms designed to facilitate good communication among employees. The open well-lit cafeteria has a cheerful atmosphere with a view of Mt. Tsukuba, one of Japanʼs 100 famous mountains. It is also equipped with a full range of amenity facilities including an outdoor recreation area, tennis courts, and an on-site daycare center for children.
In this fulfilling research environment, more than 200 researchers are engaged in daily efforts to discover innovative drugs that will satisfy unmet medical needs around the world.

  • At monthly discovery research meetings, those in charge of each research project report on their progress, followed by lively Q&A sessions.
  • Mt. Tsukuba is visible from the spacious employee cafeteria, which has a vaulted ceiling 18 meters high.
  • Large cherry trees in full bloom in spring.
  • With a daycare on the premises, the Division fosters a supportive environment for employees raising children.
  • Staff re-energizing themselves with a lunch-hour table tennis match.