Otsuka Chemical Co., Ltd has announced its acquisition on cefixime business from Astellas Pharma, Inc. on 5 June 2019, in Tokyo, Japan. Through this agreement, Otsuka Chemical acquires the cefixime business of Astellas Pharma to supply the API (active pharmaceutical ingredient) to licensees abroad together with assets such as contracts belonging to the licensing company and the commercial brand. This implies the entry of the company into the API business, which strengthens the business related to antibiotics integrated from intermediaries to API.

Cefixime developed by Astellas Pharma is a third-generation cephalosporin with antibacterial activity against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria and is widely prescribed throughout the world.

In addition to the main business field of chemical products, Otsuka Chemical will continue to strengthen API manufacturing technology of high quality and marketing and brand strength to promote businesses related to the pharmaceutical industry and CMO business taking advantage of the key technologies cultivated in the field of organic and inorganic chemicals.