History of Santen
1951-2000
| 1952 |  Daigaku Penicillin Eye Drops, Daigaku Mycillin Eye Drops, and Daigaku Super Eye Drops launched in 1952, 1953, and 1954, respectively Launch of a business strategy focusing on eye drops for corporate reconstruction. |
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| 1958 |  Expansion into the prescription drug market Company renamed as Santen Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (current name) Now accounting for more than 90% of all corporate sales, the prescription drug business (in other words, the manufacturing and marketing of drugs prescribed by health care establishment) has grown to become Santen’s core enterprise. In 1962, Santen acquired the domestic marketing rights for the mydriatic Midorin-P (generic name: tropicamide) from the Swiss pharmaceutical company Roche and began sales of this treatment in Japan. A groundbreaking drug that promotes mydriasis, or dilation of the pupil, Midorin-P contributed to the advancement of ophthalmic surgery and diagnosis and helped the Santen enhance its stature in the field of prescription ophthalmics. |
| 1962 |  The launch of Super Sante the introduction of Japan’s first plastic eye drop container Eye drops used to be packaged in glass containers, which had its drawbacks. These containers were difficult and expensive to produce in large volumes because they were hand-made and also had a tendency to break at times. The new Super Sante featured Japan’s first plastic eye drop container that was easy to carry and use. The product along with its unique container became widely popular among consumers and triggered a rapid expansion of eye drop sales in Japan. |
| 1963 | Listed on the second section of the Osaka Securities Exchange Thiola, an original antidote for liver treatment, launched in Japan |
| 1964 | Listed on the second section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange |
| 1965 | Sante de U launched in Japan |
| 1969 | Shoukyu Mita is appointed president |
| 1970 |  Antibiotic ophthalmic Ecolicin launched in Japan This antibiotic eye drop was highly effective against the pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa and helped Santen establish a solid foundation in the ocular infection treatment domain. |
| 1975 | Anti-inflammatory ophthalmic Flumetholon launched in Japan |
| 1977 | Listed on the first section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange and the Osaka Securities Exchange Production system introduced to allow filling of solution into molded containers to make bottle-packed eye drops Santen introduces a “bottle pack” production system, developed by Rommelag, a West German company. This enables container molding and solution filling in a single step. Santen thus becomes the first company to produce bottle-packed eye drops in Japan. Soft Santear launched in Japan |
| 1978 |  Expansion into the medical device market Santen begins marketing medical devices with the electroretinograph ROX-5T, produced by Heiwa Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. This device boasted superior operability. The first products sold under the Santen brand were 300 units of the campimeter model O-II. |
| 1981 | Timoptol, a treatment for glaucoma and ocular hypertension, launched in Japan |
| 1982 | Central Research Laboratories opened in Osaka |
| 1983 | Itaru Mita is appointed president |
| 1985 |  Noto Plant established The Noto Plant was Santen’s first production base equipped with a factory automation system, and evolved to become one of the world’s largest eye drop manufacturing operations. The plant is currently Santen’s flagship factory and produces top-selling ophthalmics such as Cravit and Hyalein.Debut of Sante 40 NE Santen launches Sante 40 NE, an over-the-counter eye lotion for the treatment of blurred vision and eyestrain. This product eventually became one of the company’s best-selling products. |
| 1986 | Intraocular lenses launched |
| 1987 |  Anti-infective ophthalmic Tarivid launched in Japan As the world’s first fluoroquinolone opthlamic, Tarivid earned wide recognition among healthcare professionals for its powerful antibiotic properties.Anti-rheumatic drug Rimatil launched in Japan |
| 1990 | Takakazu Morita is appointed president Long-term vision drawn up for Santen’s 100th anniversaryOn the centennial of Santen’s founding, the Company announces its long-term vision: “To contribute to society with the best products and services focusing on the eye and health”; and devises management objectives focusing on becoming “ a world-class company” and a “leader in all areas of ophthalmic treatments”. |
| 1991 |  Sante FX launched in Japan Santen launches Sante FX, an over-the-counter eye lotion with a powerful, refreshing effect. The revolutionary bottle design has gained much attention through sensational television commercials. |
| 1992 | TAHMIN SANTEN CO., LTD. established in Taiwan Kary Uni, a treatment for early-stage senile cataracts, launched in Japan BSS PLUS, an ophthalmic perfusion/washing solution, launched in Japan |
| 1993 |  Subsidiary Santen Inc. established in the U.S. U.S. subsidiary Santen Inc. established. Santen Inc. conducts R&D, business development and strategic marketing activities in the U.S. |
| 1994 |  Subsidiary Santen GmbH established in Germany In 2002, Santen GmbH launched Oftaquix (marketed as Cravit in Japan), a synthetic ophthalmic antibiotic, and began marketing operations for this product in Germany. |
| 1995 |  Hyalein, a treatment for corneal disorders, launched in Japan Hyalein ained much attention for creating a new market for the treatment of corneal and conjunctival disorders, which are known to cause dry eye syndrome. Sales of Hyalein have reached 10 billion yen six years after its debut.Anti-allergy ophthalmic Alegysal launched in Japan Anti-rheumatic drug Azulfidine EN launched in Japan Opegan Hi, an adjuvant for ophthalmic operations, launched in Japan |
| 1996 |  ERP package (integrated operation software) introducedBeijing Representative Office opened Nara Research and Development Center and Shiga Plant opened |
| 1997 |  Santen acquires Oy Star Ab, a Finnish ophthalmic pharmaceutical company, and establishes Santen Oy, the first overseas production base for Santen With its establishment, Santen makes its entry into the Northern and Eastern European markets.Claire Co., Ltd. (special subsidiary company) established |
| 1998 | Medium-term plan “Hitomi 21” devised |
| 1999 | Human resources management Reform plan 21 created To adapt to environmental changes in the world, Santen changed it’s evaluation and compensation system considering work abilities and duties in order to enhance the value creation capability of employees, managers and the company. Also, Santen introduced the management by objectives system.Timoptol XE, a treatment for glaucoma and ocular hypertension, launched in Japan Sante FX Neo launched in Japan |
| 2000 | Santen articulates Santen’s Values OTC product tampering incident occurs Santen Pharmaceutical Korea, Co., Ltd. and Guangzhou Representative Office established  Anti-infective ophthalmic Cravit launched in Japan With its strong antibiotic properties and superior ocular tissue penetration, Cravit has earned high ratings as a first-line treatment for eye infections. |
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