Sumitomo Pharma Company Limited (住友ファーマ株式会社) is a Japanese multinational pharmaceutical company. The company is focused on oncology, psychiatry, neurology, women's health issues, urological diseases among other areas. Its headquarters are located in Chuo-ku, Osaka.[2]
History
The original Dainippon Pharmaceuticals (Dainippon Seiyaku) was established in 1885 by Nagayo Sensai, a graduate of Tekijuku – the first private medical school in Japan established by Ogata Kōan. It was set up as a wholly privately owned company funded by individuals from Tokyo and Osaka, with the government lending it land and buildings. Technical expertise for the enterprise was provided by Shibata Shokei and Nagai Nagayoshi.
The company started its operation in the same year with equipment imported from Germany. The main products were tincture and other similar drugs listed in the Japanese Pharmacopoeia. Among them was ephedrine, an anti-asthma drug invented by Nagai. In 1893, however, Nagai left the company and the business started to record operating losses. In 1898 it was acquired by Osaka Seiyaku.
The company produced methamphetamine under the brand name Philopon during WWII for the Imperial Japanese military.[3]