Asahi Kasei Pharma Corporation has announced plans to relocate its R&D hub from Izunokuni City, Shizuoka Prefecture (Ohito) to Shonan Health Innovation Park (Shonan iPark) in January 2027. The move will strengthen the company’s global R&D capabilities for its pharmaceuticals business and accelerate open innovation through collaboration with external partners to advance drug discovery.
Asahi Kasei Pharma has developed strong capabilities in proprietary drug discovery, in addition to its clinical development expertise. In recent years, the company has shifted its focus toward discovering and commercializing new drugs through open innovation leveraging external partnerships and collaborations. This approach is expected to enhance development reliability and increase the likelihood of successful market introduction.
Shonan iPark in Japan was selected as an optimal location because it is home to a globally connected life-science ecosystem, bringing together players of diverse industries and sizes—including pharmaceutical companies, next-generation medicine, AI/digital health, venture capital, and academia. The area is considered a developing hub for young and advanced professionals, and it is expected to help attract outstanding R&D talent. Asahi Kasei Pharma aims to leverage opportunities in Shonan iPark by fostering networks with local companies and organizations to expand its collaboration.
