Corporate History

ASKA's History

We have always been close to the medical frontlines and provided valuable medicines as long as medical needs existed

ASKA Pharmaceutical has been creating and providing valuable pharmaceutical products that contribute to medical needs since its establishment in 1920. We aim to realize our corporate philosophy: "Contribute toward the improvement of people's health and progress in medicine through the development of innovative products. "We celebrated our 100th anniversary in 2020. The DNA of our pioneering spirit has never changed and will never change.

Founding Period (1893-1919)

Initially founded as an importer of Western spirits and foods
Succeeded in domestic manufacturing of various food products

Founder Yasohachi Yamaguchi opened "Yamaguchi Yasohachi Shoten" in 1893 as an importer of Western spirits and food products. Later, he entered the manufacturing business with the aim of domestically manufacturing food products. In 1908, he opened the "Teikoku-sha Foods Department Factory" in Yokohama to manufacture and sell Japan's first artificial butter (margarine). After that, the Company succeeded in the domestic manufacture of beef tallow, pork tallow, canned vegetables and meat, ham, and other products one after another.

The Start as a Pharmaceutical Company (1920-1954)

Developed and sold original hormone preparations from organs of discarded animals

The founder Yasohachi Yamaguchi began his journey with the unique idea of creating valuable medicines from discarded animal organs. Teikoku Hormone Research Institute was established in the Teikoku-sha Foods Department Factory. The Company designated June 16, 1920, when it began manufacturing the male hormone drug " SPERMATIN," as the date of the Company's founding.

Established today's foundation by developing and launching a series of new products, mainly hormonal agents

The Company successively developed and launched a thyroid hormone agent; THYRADIN, a male hormone agent; Enarmon and female hormone agents; OOPHORMIN and Ovahormon. In 1945, the Company changed its name to "Teikoku Hormone Mfg. Co., Ltd.”

Stock Listing - Growth and Development (1955-2005)

Listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange
Promoted diversification of management

In 1955, the Company was listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
We strengthened our positioning as a specialty pharma company, with a focus on the areas of "internal medicine," "obstetrics and gynecology," and "urology." We expanded our business to include veterinary pharmaceuticals, clinical testing, and medical devices.

The Birth of ASKA Pharmaceutical and a Further Advancement (2005-)

ASKA Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. is formed through a merger with Grelan Pharmaceutical

In 2001, the construction of the head office building was completed.
In 2005, the Company merged with Grelan Pharmaceutical. And we became “ASKA Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.”

Formation of ASKA Pharma Medical

Established under the current name after a merger with predecessor company Medical System Service Kanagawa Co., Ltd. In 2020, moved to the Shonan Health Innovation Park (Fujisawa-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture) and began specializing in the testing business.

Formation of ASKA Animal Health

Established through a spin-off of ASKA's animal health business (formely Teikoku Hormone Mfg Co., Ltd.). Conducts business under the themes of breeding immunity and nutrition.

Celebrating its 100th anniversary, we continue exploring new drug discoveries

To promote open innovation and strengthen the new drug business with a focus on restructuring the drug discovery function, the Kawasaki Research Center was relocated to the Shonan Health Innovation Park (Shonan iPark), and we continue to take on the challenge of new possibilities.

Formation of Mint⁺ Health Lab for Women's health

Established Mint⁺ Health Lab for Women's health as part of ASKA's social cotribution activities to commemorate its 100th anniversary.

Mint⁺ Health Lab for Women's health website * Japanese version only
https://www.aska-pharma.co.jp/mint/

The meaning of animal memorialization

In an ideal society nothing should be thrown away

Back in the early Showa Era, when it traded as Teikokusha, the company was engaged in manufacturing foodstuffs and active pharmaceutical ingredients. At this time, the company’s founder, Yasohachi Yamaguchi, decided he could not abide the thought of animal organs being treated as waste (almost entirely discarded with only a little going toward fertilizer production) in resource-poor Japan, and embarked on a journey of mass-producing innovative hormone preparations with a strong commitment to creating valuable medicines from discarded organs. In this manner, the concept of sustainability has underpinned ASKA Pharmaceutical’s operations right from the outset. In September 1930, Yasohachi Yamaguchi erected an animal-themed memorial tower on the grounds of the Omiya-cho Headquarters Factory (currently Omiya-cho, Saiwai-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa), then the company’s main research and production facility. The spirit thus enshrined, namely, that “in an ideal society nothing should be thrown away,” continues to inspire the company to this day.

Gist of text

For many years, the Teikoku Hormone Research Institute has manufactured effective pharmaceuticals using animal organs that have been discarded by slaughterhouses. Converting waste into products that contribute to medicine is a momentous achievement akin to turning iron into gold, or a dead serpent into a living dragon, and the very embodiment of the idea that nothing should be thrown away in an ideal society. Moreover, humbly offering up the bodies of animals that have avoided a needless death constitutes an extraordinarily good deed that brings the state of perfect enlightenment sought in Buddhism closer. In the sutra known as the Kegon-kyo, making an offering means letting go of attachments and promising them to the world in a solemn and sacred manner. Animals, too, can part with their beloved bodies, entering the Pure Land and attaining enlightenment.
Erected by Yasohachi Yamaguchi at the Teikoku Hormone Research Institute on Autumnal Wquinox Day in September 1930.

  Inscription on animal memorial tower　　       Animal memorial tower (Currently relocated to the Iwaki Factory)