KOA SHOJI HOLDINGS Group
About KOA SHOJI HOLDINGS Group
Origin of the company name?
Our company was founded in a small room in the KOA PHARMACEUTICAL (absorbed and merged with KOA BIOTECH BAY) building.
Our founder, Toshiyuki Shuto, liked the Chinese character from the name of KOA PHARMACEUTICAL "興" as it reminded him of "innovation." However, as KOA SHOJI was not a subsidiary of KOA PHARMACEUTICAL, he selected the same sound in katakana.
Why did we focus on generic drugs?
Our founder, Toshiyuki Shuto, studied in Canada in 1970. At the time, generic drugs were already available there. After graduating from university, he thought that if generic drugs had the same effect with branded drugs, they would help cure several patients at a lower price. Thus, generic drugs would have great potential in Japan, where the population is aging.
Why did we establish an analysis center, a rare choice for trading companies?
We wanted to build a sense of trust in generic drugs that are still in their infancy in Japan. As it is very important to ensure safety and security, we continue to make the necessary investments in the analysis center.
Why did we form a capital alliance with ISEI?
Although the market for generic drugs is growing, their prices are decreasing because they are meant to be cheap. Therefore, we need a new business model that combines the trading and manufacturing elements.
As KOA SHOJI sells APIs to generic manufacturers, we choose not to compete with them. Thus, we chose ISEI, a manufacturer of injectables (not usually manufactured by generic manufacturers).