Daiichi Sankyo

On January 16, 2025, our Smart Research Laboratory (SRL) in San Diego, California, officially opened its doors. SRL represents a key Digital Transformation initiative designed to enhance our capabilities in medicine discovery. The ceremony gathered colleagues from Japan and the U.S. to celebrate this milestone for the organization.    The SRL is integral to our Discovery Research strategy, focusing on accelerating medicine discovery timelines while leveraging advanced robotics and sophisticated software. Our objectives include enhancing precision and reproducibility, facilitating data-driven insights, and scaling innovation.    The new San Diego SRL is led by researchers from our lab in Shinagawa, Japan and the U.S and is set to revolutionize our research processes and drive innovation forward. The facility will also work closely with our Shinagawa, Tokyo, R&D labs, utilizing a cloud data management system for seamless research integration.    “By harnessing data from autonomous robotics and advanced software, the laboratory will significantly improve research productivity and allow scientists to focus on innovative advancements in medicine discovery,” Head of Global R&D, Ken Takeshita, MD, proclaimed during the ceremony.     Click the link to read our press release and learn more about the new Daiichi Sankyo Smart Research Laboratory. 

This #WorldCancerDay, we unite with our colleagues worldwide to honor the unique stories behind each person living with cancer. Several members of my family have had their own stories, too, and their experiences with cancer drastically changed my life’s journey to work with purpose and compassion. Honoring their memories has shaped my craft as an advocate for patients and their families, where I prioritize translating complex science into understandable language so they can better understand their individual experience.     So, please join me and share your unique story with the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) to inform, energize and inspire change: https://bit.ly/4hkpTpT. Whether you are a patient, caregiver, loved one, provider or advocate, like me, your story matters.     At Daiichi Sankyo US the perspective of each person impacted by cancer is invaluable and drives our collective vision for people-centered care. The passion of our first president, Dr. Jokichi Takamine, was creating innovative medicines and building bridges between people and cultures. One way we act to honor this heritage is by fostering connections with the patient community to learn from their experiences. This ensures the patient voice is infused into our laboratories and into the next innovation to address unmet patient needs.     Recently, we lost a beloved member of the Daiichi Sankyo family, Dr. Toshinori Agatsuma, who pioneered the discovery of oncology medicines that are making a significant impact on patients’ lives around the world. We honor his legacy by continuing to listen to and elevate patients' experiences.    Together with the UICC, let us elevate the #UNITEDBYUNIQUE patient voices to drive systemic change and improve outcomes worldwide.    #DSProud

Everyone touched by cancer has a unique story, and each person’s treatment journey is different. On World Cancer Day and every day, we must unite with the global oncology community to ensure the patient voice is at the core of everything we do to help create innovative medicines for those who need it most. #WorldCancerDay #UnitedByUnique

Setsubun in Japanese means "seasonal division," marking the transition between winter and spring in Japan, and it is celebrated on the eve of Risshun, or "the beginning of spring," which this year is today, February 3.    Setsubun is significant in Japanese culture as a time to prepare for the new season and to ward off any lingering misfortune from winter, and it is filled with traditions aimed at driving away bad luck and inviting good fortune. One of the highlights is the delicious Ehomaki, a special sushi roll filled with various ingredients like vegetables and seafood. Traditionally, it's eaten in silence while facing the year's lucky direction to invite good fortune. For 2025, that direction is west-southwest.    Many families also celebrate Setsubun with the tradition of “mamemaki,” where roasted soybeans are thrown to drive away demons (oni) and invite good fortune. While throwing the beans, people playfully say, "Oni wa soto, fuku wa uchi!" (Demons out, good fortune in!). Eating as many beans as your age is said to help strengthen your body and keep colds at bay.     Today, on Risshun, the beginning of spring, we wish everyone a new season filled with joy and blessings. 

Lunar New Year, also referred to around the world as “Chinese New Year,” falls on January 29th this year, ushering in the “Year of the Snake.” The date marks the beginning of the new lunar calendar and is a time for family gatherings, feasting, and cultural traditions. While Japan primarily celebrates the western (Gregorian) new year on January 1, having used the Gregorian calendar since 1873, there are notable observances of Chinese New Year in cities such as Yokohama, Kobe, and Nagasaki. The historical Chinatown areas in those cities come alive during the Lunar New Year with vibrant festivities and a variety of events, including lion dances, parades, and fireworks. Visitors can also enjoy traditional foods like dumplings and sweet rice cakes, which are symbolic of prosperity and good fortune. Temples and shrines may also host special ceremonies to welcome the Lunar New Year.

Daiichi Sankyo recently announced the establishment of a new state-of-the-art "Smart" Research Laboratory in San Diego, California, dedicated to advancing drug discovery through the integration of robotics, automation, and innovative software.    The new laboratory will automate key drug discovery tasks, enabling rapid data analysis to expedite drug discovery. The research lab will also significantly enhance the organization’s ability to innovate by generating potential drug candidates faster and supporting AI-driven research approaches.    Click for more information. 

This Sunday, January 26, is International Day of Clean Energy. This day highlights the importance of transitioning to sustainable energy sources for a cleaner, healthier planet. Clean energy not only combats climate change but also promotes economic growth and social equity. At Daiichi Sankyo, we're committed to reducing CO2 emissions by 42% from 2015 levels by 2025, and by 63% by 2030. As of 2023, we had already achieved a 50.2% reduction toward our goal. Click to learn more about what we’re doing to use resources and energy efficiently, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions and waste.

The story of Daiichi Sankyo predecessor company, Daiichi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Daiichi) began in 1915 with the creation of its own predecessor company, Arsemin Shokai. However, when further investment to grow Arsemin Shokai became necessary, it was the vision and efforts of Shozaemon Keimatsu and eight remarkable individuals coming together that laid the foundation for creation of a new company, Daiichi. Click to learn more about Daiichi’s eight founders and how their dedication to producing high-quality medicines continues to inspire us today.

"Disaster Prevention and Volunteer Week" is observed in Japan this year from January 15 to 21. For citizens and residents, it is a time for us to deepen our understanding of disaster preparedness and acknowledge the spirit and importance of volunteerism. As we start 2025, we can’t help but remember one year ago when the Noto Peninsula earthquake occurred, resulting in serious damage and loss of life and injuries to people in that region. A year later, many of us still feel the pain of those affected by that devastating event. Modern Japan has experienced seven earthquakes measuring a 7 on the Japan Meteorological Agency’s Seismic Intensity Scale called “shindo,” which is expressed in levels of seismic intensity from 0 to 7. The first of those seven shindo 7 quakes was the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake on January 17, 1995, and 2025 will mark its 30th anniversary. The date, January 17, is in fact commemorated each year as “Disaster Prevention and Volunteer Day.” “Disaster prevention” means not only preventing disasters but also doing everything we can to minimize their impact and aid in recovery, and “volunteering” is the essence of selflessly contributing to others and society. In the aftermath of disasters, volunteers are crucial for cleanup and recovery efforts. In fact, the Noto Peninsula continues to seek volunteers to assist residents with various tasks. This year during Disaster Prevention and Volunteer Week let’s enhance our disaster awareness and consider how we can contribute through volunteering, both in times of need and in our daily lives. Together, we can make a difference. #DisasterPrevention #Volunteerism

Coming-of-Age Day was celebrated in Japan this year on Monday, January 13. Known in Japanese as “Seijin no Hi,” this holiday was established in 1948 and is a special occasion to honor young people who are considered to have reached adulthood within Japanese society and are ready to take on the responsibilities of adult life. These responsibilities include voting, driving a car, applying for a credit card or a 10-year passport, and other decisions that can now be made independent of parental approval. On this day each year, ceremonies take place across Japan in local buildings such as city halls with participants often wearing traditional Japanese clothing, such as kimonos and hakamas. In 2022, the legal age of adulthood in Japan was officially lowered from age 20 to age 18, and although in some regions adulthood is celebrated for citizens aged 18, most regions in fact still hold ceremonies to celebrate citizens who have turned 20. Congratulations once again to all the new adults! We encourage you to embrace this exciting chapter of your life with confidence and wisdom, and as a moment to embrace your role as an active, independent member of society. #ComingOfAgeDay # Japanholidays Passion for Innovation. Compassion for Patients.®