Distinguished by technological leadership, our exclusive research system enables us to investigate the infinite possibilities that science holds for humanity

At senju Pharmaceutical, we take an open-minded approach to research and development, preferring innovation to conventional solutions. By remaining flexible, perfecting our own research systems, and welcoming cooperative international research initiatives with academia and industry, we are able to draw on the skills of many experts to unlock the medical secrets that lead to tomorrow's most-needed pharmaceutical breakthroughs.

R&D Principles

Senju Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. is engaged with the appropriate conducting of animal experiments carried out in the process of developing new pharmaceutical products. We are mindful of the welfare of laboratory animals and comply with the “Act on Welfare and Management of Animals”, “Standards Relating to the Care and Keeping and Reducing Pain of Laboratory Animals” (Ministry of the Environment), “Guidelines for Proper Conduct of Animal Experiments” (Science Council of Japan) and “Fundamental Guidelines for Proper Conduct of Animal Experiment and related Activities in institutions under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare” (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare). We are establishing and improving our compliance and management system on an ongoing basis. To this end, we have adopted the institutional regulation*1 that govern our relevant activities and set up the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee to carry out stringent vetting and monitoring of laboratory animal experiments. We administer education and training to our researchers regarding legislation, government guidelines as well as ethical issues relating to animal experiments.
Our guiding principle is that by optimizing laboratory conditions as well as experiment methods and technology, we can minimize animal stress and obtain reliable data. Based on this premise, we plan and implement animal experiments. We adhere to the 3Rs*2 and further added the fourth pillar of Responsibility, referring to the corporate responsibility that a pharmaceutical company should uphold. To check that these principles are followed and actions properly conducted, the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee conducts a self-audit at least once a year aiming for further improvements. Our research facility, the Kobe Innovative Center, has been accredited by AAALAC International*3, an international accrediting third-party body, since November 2020(continued in 2023).

*1　The institutional regulation ( PDF)

*2　The principles of the 3Rs

  • Replacement (switching to research that does not involve laboratory animal experiments)
  • Reduction (reducing the number of animals used in experiments)
  • Refinement (minimizing the pain and distress experienced by animals)

*3　A nonprofit international organization that promotes the humane treatment of animals in science through accreditation and assessment programs. The accreditation demonstrates our commitment to responsible animal care and use.

Senju Laboratory

We have established a unique research system consisting of international studies and industry-university joint research projects to challenge research and development upon the belief that we should not be bounded by ready-made ideas such as today's common sense, and should pay regard to events of the natural world.
To discover new horizons for our research projects, we have promoted basic studies for drug development by using state-of-art technologies, including identification of molecules that can cause ocular diseases, in our Laboratories of Ocular Sciences in Kobe, Japan, and Oregon, U.S.A., as well as studies directly linked to product development, including preparation of data necessary for regulatory approval of pharmaceuticals in the Research & Development Division, all of which are mutually connected to produce better outcomes.
Furthermore, the Kobe Innovative Center was established in 2019 by aggregating our research institutes located at various places across Japan into one site, aiming at streamlining R&D activities.
With our eyes firmly fixed on the future, developing safe pharmaceutical products that are truly needed by customers as early as possible is our goal, and also our wish.

  • The Kobe Innovative Center
  • Laboratories of Oregon, U.S.