See the full story with pictures at: https://www.otsuka.co.jp/en/company/global-topics/2019/20191114_vol113.html The Otsuka group of companies in Spain hosted commemorative events in Madrid and Barcelona to celebrate its market entry in Spain 40 years ago, and subsequent long-standing commitment there since the establishment in 1979 of an office in Madrid. Shortly thereafter, the former Miquel Laboratories in Barcelona was acquired by Otsuka. The 40th anniversary celebrations were an opportunity for the four Otsuka group companies in Spain to present themselves inclusively and simultaneously to national and regional authorities, opinion leaders, customers, and other stakeholders. The four group companies with a presence in Spain are Otsuka Pharmaceutical S.A. (prescription drugs), Hebron S.A. (coatings, polymers, inks and adhesives), Trocellen Ibérica (polyethelyne foams), and Nutrition & Santé (dietetic and organic foods). More than 150 people participated in the events in Madrid and Barcelona on November 14 and 15, respectively. Numerous personalities from the government sector, the business world, the health sector and the Japanese Embassy in Madrid and Consulate in Barcelona took part. At the ceremonies, Otsuka Pharmaceutical S.A. Managing Director Concha Caudevilla and Hebron SA Managing Director Marc Monnin said they felt proud of their companies' successes, which have contributed to improve the quality of life of the Spanish citizenry and to the sustainability of employment and the economy. Currently, Otsuka group companies have more than 600 employees in Spain and four plants. Export activity represents 15% of total consolidated net sales. Mr. Andy Page, (interim) president and CEO of Otsuka Pharmaceutical Europe, Ltd., stressed the importance of trust in long-term relationships as a key success factor. Francesc Miralles, the award-winning Spanish author, who co-authored the bestseller Ikigai: The Secrets of Japan for a Long and Happy Life, explained to attendees the meaning of the word ikigai and shared points from the book. He noted, "Identifying the ikigai brings passion, satisfaction and happiness to the life of the individual." He also referred to the Japanese concept ichi-go ichi-e, which literally translates as "one time, one meeting", the concept of the unrepeatable and therefore cherishable nature of a moment. The events were a splendid culmination of the 40-year commitment to Spain by the Otsuka group of companies.

Otsuka Podcast

Volume 113: A Celebration of the 40th Anniversary of Otsuka’s Arrival in Spain

See the full story with pictures at: https://www.otsuka.co.jp/en/company/global-topics/2019/20190901_vol112.html A pressing concern for Japan is the need to reduce the amount of money the government has to spend on medical costs. One way that this can be done is to help people maintain good health after retirement. To support this goal, Otsuka has been working together with local governments, firms, and organizations across Japan to help keep people fit and healthy, with a particular focus upon specific regional problems. In July of 2019, Otsuka joined forces with the city of Mima in Tokushima Prefecture and the pro soccer team from the area, Tokushima Vortis, to run the first Vortis Conditioning Program. The aim of this is to help citizens establish new exercise habits so as to improve their motor function, and through this reduce the likelihood of their requiring treatment in the future. By doing so, care costs can be reduced, relieving some of the financial burden on society. This initiative made use of a Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry supported social impact bond (SIB) framework. SIBs are outcome-based contracts where private funds are used for initiatives that address social challenges, and governmental departments then later reimburse or subsidize the costs according to the program’s level of success. This project is particularly exciting as it is the first SIB in a healthcare field involving a pro soccer team. A total of 1,800 members of the public will participate in the program over the next five years. Participants will attend weekly group training sessions with Tokushima Vortis coaches for eight weeks, as well as exercising at home at least once a week. The program will introduce the participants to a new exercise routine, and all daily physical activities will be tracked using a wearable device. The hope is that the program will help alleviate physical problems often suffered, such as those related to the hips, joints, and overall posture. After training, participants will be given a pack of Bodymainté Jelly, a lactic acid and protein supplement to support good physical condition, and receive useful nutritional information from a registered dietitian. Participants in the first course commented that they were able to complete the exercises in about 30 minutes in their own homes, making it very easy to do. They also felt that the program had helped improve their physical condition, including their posture and problems such as stiff shoulders. Otsuka firmly believes that good health requires attention to body, mind, and relationships with other people, and we are committed to helping nurture a healthy society by taking a holistic approach at a community level. We will continue to provide a wide range of opportunities to help people improve their well-being today, and through this contribute to the long-term health and happiness of society as a whole.

Volume 112: Vortis Conditioning Program - Improving health through regional cooperation

See the full story with pictures at: https://www.otsuka.co.jp/en/company/global-topics/2019/20190903_vol111.html In recent years a lot of attention has been given to sleep, an essential part of our daily cycle, which accounts for approximately one-third of our lifetimes. World Sleep Day, organized by the World Association of Sleep Medicine, is held every March to highlight the importance of sleep for a healthy life and raise awareness of the impacts of sleep disorders. In Japan there is an additional day focused on sleep, with Autumn Sleep Day held every September 3rd. These two events are part of a non-continuous period called Sleep Health Week. In support of this Otsuka Pharmaceutical organizes information sessions and shares information on our website explaining the importance of internal bodily rhythms. We know that a healthy sleep pattern is essential to feeling refreshed and having a fulfilling day, but despite this many people do not get enough sleep. There are many factors that contribute to sleep problems, such as anxiety and stress. However, recently more attention has been paid to the disruption of internal bodily rhythms. Although we use a 24-hour cycle to measure time daily, our internal body clock cycle is actually a little longer than 24 hours. We usually reset this difference by getting some morning sunlight or by having breakfast. However, due to our modern lifestyles and an always-on society there is an increased risk for a more significant gap to develop between our internal clock and our daily routine, which can lead to an irregular sleep pattern. A common example of this would be sleeping in on a day off to make up for a lack of sleep in the week leading up to it. However, doing this can then lead to difficulties in falling asleep the following night or waking up at the right time in the morning. This pattern of having different sleep patterns on weekdays and at the weekends causes what is known as social jet lag, with research showing that our internal body clock can be shifted by 30-45 minutes just by sleeping in on two days. Also, once the rhythm has been disrupted, it is not easy to restore it, and daytime performance may be affected due to feelings of exhaustion. The key to developing a sleep pattern that supports both mental and physical health is to take care of your internal bodily rhythms and manage the quantity and quality of your sleep. Although the Japanese population enjoys a long, healthy life expectancy, the average time spent sleeping is extremely short compared to other countries. Furthermore, there is reportedly a substantial economic loss associated with not getting enough sleep. To help people live active daily lives, in 2017, Otsuka developed Kenja-no-kaimin Sleep Rhythm Support (The Wise Man's Sleep Solution), to support the maintenance of bodily rhythms that improve the quality of sleep and help people wake up feeling refreshed and energized. The product was submitted to the Consumer Affairs Agency of Japan for labelling as Foods with Function Claims. Otsuka will continue to share the latest knowledge and accurate information related to sleep, while working to create original products rooted in science to further support healthy lifestyles.

Volume 111: Sleep Health Week - Highlighting the importance of sleep and bodily rhythms for a healthy lifestyle

See the full story with pictures at: https://www.otsuka.co.jp/en/company/global-topics/2019/20190601_vol110.html In June 2019, Japan hosted its first G20 summit in Osaka, with a focus on the international issue of plastic waste pollution in the oceans. There, the "Osaka Blue Ocean Vision" plan was agreed upon, which aims to reduce ocean waste to zero by 2050. In the run-up to the summit, Japan’s Ministry of the Environment and the Nippon Foundation began a nationwide cleanup campaign named "Zero Ocean Refuse Week” which ran from May 30 to June 8, and in which Otsuka group employees played an active role. The Otsuka Pharmaceutical Environmental Club, a volunteer group of Otsuka employees, collaborated with the local council to carry out cleaning activities at Naruto, Tokushima Prefecture, the location where the Otsuka company was founded. Around 150 people gathered, including employees from 15 group companies and family members, farexceeding the number that participated in previous years. Together they collected 300 bags of garbage, weighing a total of approximately 1.5 tons. Materials and posters relating to the problem of the circulation of discarded plastic waste were displayed at the venue to turnit into a hub for learning about the environment. One employee commented, "I usually only pay attention to large refuse, but if you look carefully there is a lot of small plastic waste reaching the ocean too. My awareness of ocean plastic has changed a lot." A ten-year-old child of an Otsuka employee said, "There were so many types of rubbish on the beach, and it felt great to help make it clean again!" A teenage participant commented, "There’s not so much I can do by myself, but I want to do my best to help, so I hope I can participate in an event like this again." Additionally, many employees participated in the coastal cleanup event held by the Japan Soft Drink Association, of which Otsuka Pharmaceutical is a partner. Approximately 130 people from soft drink manufacturing companies, including executives from their headquarters took part. Otsuka Pharmaceutical will continue to work on integrating environmental management into its business practices in order to help realize a sustainable future for all.

Volume 110: Towards a Sustainable Society - Environmental Cleanup Projects Aiming for Zero Refuse in the Oceans

See the full story with pictures at: https://www.otsuka.co.jp/en/company/global-topics/2019/20190502_vol109.html Otsuka received the 2019 Corporate Innovator Award from the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) at the NKF 2019 Spring Clinical Meetings in Boston during May. The Corporate Innovator Award was established to recognize companies that advance the field of nephrology by addressing an unmet medical need, or improving upon an existing practice, therapeutic or technology. Otsuka Pharmaceutical received this award in recognition for its work in bringing JYNARQUETM (tolvaptan) to market. Kevin Longino, the CEO of National Kidney Foundation who is also a kidney transplant recipient, noted, “The Corporate Innovator Award recognizes Otsuka’s significant contribution to improving the lives of people with ADPKD and we congratulate them on this achievement.” The award was accepted on behalf of Otsuka by Louis Allesandrine, Vice President, Oncology and Nephrology Sales and Marketing at Otsuka America Pharmaceutical, Inc. He commented during the award presentation, “It is an honor and a privilege to accept this award on the behalf of the many people who made this possible, including patients, families, researchers, nephrologists, and Otsuka.” In April 2018, JYNARQUETM was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as the first treatment to slow kidney function decline in adults at risk of rapidly progressing autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). Earlier, the drug was approved for use in the EU, Japan and several other countries.   The National Kidney Foundation is the largest, most comprehensive and longstanding organization in the U.S. dedicated to the awareness, prevention and treatment of kidney disease.

Volume 109: National Kidney Foundation in U.S. Honors Otsuka With 2019 Corporate Innovator Award

See the full story with pictures at: https://www.otsuka.co.jp/en/company/global-topics/2018/20181120_vol108.html 2018 marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Indonesia, and six decades of collaboration between the two countries in a variety of fields. Otsuka has also played a part in building strong ties, with the establishment of its first operations in Indonesia dating back to 1974 when it began local distribution of intravenous supplies. Since then, the company has expanded its range to include pharmaceutical and nutritional products, and the group now operates 7 companies with approximately 4,000 employees across the country. Indonesia’s economic growth has brought with it increased attention towards health. In seeking to provide people with a greater choice of convenient, high-quality nutritional products, Otsuka’s local affiliate, PT. Amerta Indah Otsuka (AIO), has begun the manufacture and sale of two new products. The first of these is ORONAMIN C DRINK, a carbonated nutritional drink with a long history as a top-selling brand in Japan, where it is popular with young and old alike. At the launch event, AIO President and Director Yoshihiro Bando said, “With the launch of ORONAMIN C DRINK, we aim to offer new health benefits, and bring energy and smiles to people throughout Indonesia. "A new halal-compliant production line has been built at the company’s Sukabumi factory in West Java province, and the product went on sale in June. The second product launched is the nutritional soy bar SOYJOY, which offers a convenient way to enjoy the benefits of soy. Sales of imported SOYJOY beganin Indonesia in 2007, and with the product having taken off, production has now begun on a new line at AIO’s Kejayan factory, dedicated to meeting local needs. The product went on sale in July of this year. A ceremony to mark the completion of these factories was held at the Sukabumi plant. In addition to the Regent of Sukabumi and the Deputy Director of the Indonesian FDA, a total of 143 people took part. In his opening remarks, Tatsuo Higuchi, President of Otsuka Pharmaceutical, said “I am very happy to be able to celebrate this completion ceremony this year, the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Indonesia. Indonesia can look forward to further economic development, and we hope to continue to contribute to the field of health care here.” Starting with the sales of POCARISWEAT in 1989, Otsuka in Indonesia since then has focused on creating products to support people’s health and wellbeing, tailored to the culture and customs of Indonesia. With POCARI SWEAT having been widely adopted as a means of hydration in cases of dengue fever, high fever, and diarrhea, it has come to be known as a form of first aid. In addition, when the company opened its new factory in 2010, it also established a school in the factory grounds as a part of its community activities. Operating as a communal education center, company staff provide tutoring to students living nearby the factory combining the three themes of education, the environment, and health. Its motto is “SATU HATI”, meaning “One Heart”. Otsuka is committed to continuing to work in collaboration with the local community as it strives to contribute to the further development of the country, and the health of all its people.

Volume 108: Bringing new health benefits to the Indonesian market in an historical year

See the full story with pictures at: https://www.otsuka.co.jp/en/company/global-topics/2018/20180901_vol107.html Held every four years, the Asian Games is Asia’s largest sports event. Hosted by the Olympic Council of Asia, it is also known as the Asian Olympic Games. The 18th Asian Games was held in the Indonesian cities of Jakarta and Palembang from August to September, and featured 11,000 athletes from 45 countries and regions. This was the second time for Indonesia to host the Games, and the first since 1962. With a presence in Indonesia since 1974 and having introduced POCARI SWEAT to the country in 1989, Otsuka has a long history of partnerships with the local community. Having the opportunity to participate in such a major regional event was a highlight for all company employees involved. Led by staff from Otsuka’s Indonesian subsidiary PT. Amerta Indah Otsuka, the Games provided a welcome opportunity for Otsuka group employees from across Asia to come together as a team to support the athletes. Otsuka Pharmaceutical has been an official partner of the previous four Games, leveraging its research and development in physical conditioning to help enable athletes to compete at their very best. During the Games, a ‘POCARI SWEAT House’ was set up in the athlete’s village to provide participants with the popular hydration and electrolyte supplement drink, alongside the conditioning product BODYMAINTÉ. POCARI SWEAT was also made readily available at each competition venue. In collaboration with the Japan Sport Council, Otsuka also established the POCARI SWEAT OASIS, a place where people from across Asia involved in athletic training could come together to exchange ideas, knowledge, and learn from other experts. The program also featured lectures and provided meeting spaces for various national sports organizations, as well as the sharing of the latest information on sports nutrition and conditioning. The slogan of the Games was “Energy of Asia,” and it truly was a Games that demonstrated the vitality of the region. Otsuka is committed to continuing to contribute to the growth and development of Asia through the development of scientifically-based products, the sharing of research findings, and participation in events such as the Asian Games.

Volume 107: Supporting the 18th Asian Games as an Official Partner

See the full story with pictures at: https://www.otsuka.co.jp/en/company/global-topics/2018/20180519_vol106.html Otsuka Pharmaceutical launched “Deliciously Illustrated SketchCook - A Nutritious Experiment with Google” dietary education app, which emphasizes the importance of nutritionally balanced meals. SketchCook uses the latest AI technology to transform illustrations of meals drawn by children into digital images, and then suggests nutritionally balanced recipes and, based on guidance from certified nutritionists, food combinations that then provide a well-balanced meal. Otsuka has long been actively involved in dietary education, conducting a study in 2011 on the relationship between breakfast quality and brain function. This demonstrated that optimal brain activity requires not simply an adequate intake of sugar, but also nutritionally balanced meals. Since then, Otsuka has been conveying to students who want to study more efficiently the importance of breakfast and nutritionally balanced meals. Focusing on the next generation of young children on whose shoulders Japan’s future will one day rest, Otsuka developed the idea for an educational app that teaches children about meals and nutrition, while creating opportunities for communication between parents and children. This idea was then realized thanks to Google's machine learning technology and recipe data provided by Rakuten Recipe.It allows children to have fun learning about meals and nutrition through drawing pictures. Otsuka received some very positive feedback from users who participated in the SketchCook launch event held in May, including, “My child immediately started helping me with the cooking!” and “We went shopping and made dinner together.” In the future, Otsuka’s hope is to take SketchCook beyond the home and, in cooperation with local authorities across Japan, spread the word to the next generation of children about the importance of meals and nutrition.   SketchCook can be downloaded from the links below. (Japanese only): iOS: https://itunes.apple.com/jp/app/id1382197965?mt=8  Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=jp.co.otsuka.SketchCook&hl=ja

Volume 106: Dietary Education App "Deliciously Illustrated SketchCook"

See the full story with pictures at: https://www.otsuka.co.jp/company/global-topics/2018/20180426_vol105.html Dr. William H. Carson, president and chief executive officer of Otsuka Pharmaceutical Development & Commercialization in the U.S., was lauded as one of 2018’s Top Blacks in Healthcare honorees selected by BlackDoctor.org at their 5th annual gala on April 26, 2018. The event, presented by BlackDoctor.org in conjunction with The George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health, recognizes distinguished African American healthcare professionals for their hard work, commitment and success in helping improve healthcare for all Americans. During the two-day event, Dr. Carson was the keynote speaker at the awards gala dinner and also participated as a panelist. The always congenial Dr. Carson talked about his childhood and how his upbringing shaped his lifelong curiosity, epitomized in the one-word question he often asks himself and those around him:  “Why?” Dr. Carson also spoke about the explosive increase in health-related data and the implications for patients and healthcare practitioners alike. For example, he noted that in clinical trials for the first-ever Digital Medicine created by Otsuka and Proteus, more data, including minute-by-minute data points, were collected than in all the previous clinical trials ever conducted by Otsuka. For him, one implication is that physicians will not just know a lot about medicine but will come to know a lot more about their patients individually, ushering in the age of truly personalized medicine. Dr. Carson’s call to action for healthcare professionals in this new era is to be caring (ensuring patient access to their data), concerned (preventing data misuse) and competent (staying up to date on, and utilizing the digitally based technology and knowledge from data).

Volume 105: Otsuka Leader in U.S. Honored by BlackDoctor.org Gives Keynote on Digital Medicine Era

See the full story with pictures at: https://www.otsuka.co.jp/en/company/global-topics/2018/20180605_vol104.html Daiya Foods was founded in Vancouver, Canada in 2008 with a simple belief that plant-based living was better for people’s health, better for the planet and better for animal welfare. It all started with the founders, Greg Blake and Andre Kroecher, trying to make plant-based cheese at home in the kitchen with a blender and a pot on the stove. Their perseverance paid off and Daiya Cheddar Style & Mozzarella Style Shreds debuted in 2009 at the Natural Products Expo West. Consumers raved and plant-based dairy innovation changed forever. Today, Daiya is best known for its delicious plant-based cheese alternatives that melt and stretch like dairy-based cheese.  Daiya understands the social needs and craveability of these foods. Every Daiya product is plant-based, dairy-free, soy-free, gluten-free, offering options for those with allergies or are looking to make small changes towards a plant-based diet. Over the years, Daiya has expanded its line of craveable foods to meet a growing global demand for plant-based alternatives. They now offer products across multiple categories for every eating occasion at more than 25,000 stores in North America. See the full story with pictures at: https://www.otsuka.co.jp/company/global-topics/ Daiya’s line of premium plant-based foods include Burritos, Frozen Dessert Bars, Coconut Yogurt Alternatives, Pizzas, Cheezecakes, Cream Cheeze Style Spreads, Dressings, Cheezy Mac, Cheeze Sauce & wonderful cheese alternatives including Blocks, Shreds, Slices and Cheeze Sticks. Daiya is innovative, compassionate and they love food. And they feel like they are just getting started! Now with a much larger team and passionate management, their dairy-alternative innovation accelerates as marked by their recent announcement of the highly anticipated launch of its signature products in the United Kingdom, following international success in Australia, Sweden, Mexico, Hong Kong, and more. Otsuka welcomed the addition of Daiya to its group of companies in 2017, hoping for a passionate synergy in commitment to people’s healthier everyday all across the globe. Terry Tierney, Daiya CEO anticipates “Daiya has always had the vision of building a leading global plant-based food brand. We are excited to partner with Otsuka to help realize this vision.”

Volume 104: Daiya, North America’s Leading Maker of Plant-Based Comfort Foods

See the full story with pictures at: https://www.otsuka.co.jp/en/company/global-topics/2018/20180605_vol104.html Bill Brazell was ecstatic on April 24 upon reading a decision he has long advocated for and awaited: U.S. regulatory approval of Otsuka’s tolvaptan for use in slowing the progression of ADPKD (autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease) in patients at risk of rapid progression. ADPKD is a progressive, inherited condition in which cysts proliferate in the kidneys, often leading to kidney failure.   Having lost numerous relatives to ADPKD, and some years after being diagnosed himself, Bill realized that remaining quiet about his condition was of no help to anyone. And so he began to do everything in his power to advance awareness of ADPKD as well as the search for a first treatment and an eventual cure. Bill’s awareness-raising has included contacting legislators, appearing on national TV and even wearing a kidney costume in the park to raise research funds for the PKD Foundation, where Bill has volunteered as a board member for nine years. To support the advance toward an ADPKD treatment, Bill participated for over 12 years in the clinical trials for tolvaptan, which culminated in the U.S. regulatory approval on April 24. He notes, “Even the possibility of a treatment changed my life and during the trial I and the woman I love decided to marry. We now have three wonderful children, and I do worry about them, but the news of the tolvaptan approval for ADPKD provides me and my family with tremendous hope.”

Volume 103: A Tireless Patient Advocate Against PKD Rejoices on Drug Approval

 See the full story with pictures at: https://www.otsuka.co.jp/company/global-topics/2018/20180125_vol102.html On January 25, the BioIndustry Association (BIA) honoured Dr. Harren Jhoti, president & CEO of Astex, UK (an independent subsidiary of Otsuka Pharmaceutical) with a Lifetime Achievement Award. The Award was presented by Dr. Jane Osbourn (BIA Chair) at a dinner attended by 700 professionals from the UK life sciences sector. Dr. Osbourne commented, “Harren’s contribution to the UK biotech sector recognises his combination of scientific and leadership skills, as well as his passion and determination to succeed. [...] He makes an active contribution to initiatives in the UK biotech sector and provides a role-model for today’s entrepreneurs.” On receiving the award Dr. Jhoti paid tribute to the three scientist-entrepreneurs with whom he co-founded Astex in 1999, and to his team, saying, “As scientists we always hope that our discoveries will make a difference and as entrepreneurs we strive to build sustainable companies to translate those discoveries into significant new medicines for patients. At Astex we have been lucky enough to achieve both of these goals due largely to our highly talented team.” Dr. Jhoti also commented how Astex is now thriving as an independent subsidiary of the Otsuka group of companies. At Astex, Dr. Jhoti and his current and former colleagues have made pathbreaking progress in fragment-based drug discovery, which identifies and assembles small chemical fragments to produce drug leads with strong binding affinity to biological targets. To date, one such lead has been pursued by a drug maker all the way through to regulatory approval in the US and EU for use in patients with a type of advanced breast cancer. The BIA is the trade association for innovative enterprises involved in UK bioscience and the Lifetime Achievement Award is the highest accolade given by the BIA. 

Volume 102: Astex’s Harren Jhoti Receives Highest Accolade from the UK BioIndustry Association

 See the full story with pictures at: https://www.otsuka.co.jp/company/global-topics/2017/20171007_vol101.html Otsuka America Pharmaceutical, Inc. and the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) team Chip Ganassi Racing (CGR) joined together to mark Mental Health Awareness Week at Charlotte, North Carolina on October 7th and 8th, 2017. In the US, NASCAR is second only to American Football as the most popular sport in the country in terms of both television viewers and live spectators. Fans are attracted to the high-octane excitement of watching the cars hurtle along the circuit at over 220 mph, sometimes with only a few centimetres between them. Thrills and crashes are common place. There are few people in the world better used to dealing with the pressure and stresses of the racetrack than these drivers. Drawing from his experience, CGR’s Japanese - American driver, Kyle Miyata Larson, kicked off a roundtable discussion with Paul Gionfriddo, president and CEO of Mental Health America, which focused on managing stress, mental illness, and the importance of monitoring mental health. “I’m proud to be partnering with Otsuka and Mental Health America to raise awareness of mental wellness, and to encourage those living with a mental illness to seek treatment and support,” said Larson. “I am helping them break the stigma associated with mental health – and remember that mental health is also about dealing with stress, anxiety and depression, and many people go untreated or undiagnosed. I am here to help change the status quo and to help reverse the harmful effects of the stigma.” The event also coincided with two days of racing at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina. The Otsuka logo featured on both competing CGR cars. After a day of waiting for the rain to stop and the track to dry, fans saw driver Alex Bowman take the chequered flag with his first-time ever win in a NASCAR XFINITY Series race, and bring our Otsuka logo along with him for the ride. Larson had less luck in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race, as he was unfortunately hit from behind during the final laps. He persevered nonetheless with sparks flying from the rear, but ended with a 10th place finish. “Overall this was a great weekend for Otsuka and the mental health community,” said Kabir Nath, president and CEO, North America Pharmaceutical Business, Otsuka America Inc. “It was an honor to collaborate with Chip Ganassi Racing, Kyle Larson, and Mental Health America to champion mental wellness. We are excited for the opportunity to reach NASCAR fans and have them join us in our efforts to help drive awareness while reducing the stigma of mental illness.” Kyle Larson was the first Asian-American driver to win a NASCAR Cup Series race, stock car racing's highest level, at the 2016 Pro Michigan 400. 

Vol. 101: Otsuka and NASCAR Race Together to Champion Mental Health

Sports are good for the body, mind and spirit. Participating in sports boosts self-esteem, team-work and leadership skills, and provides a channel for young people to relieve stress. Five years ago, the Korean Ministry of Education launched an initiative to encourage sports club activities in schools. In support of this initiative, Donga Otsuka, an Otsuka affiliate and manufacturer of POCARI SWEAT for the Korean market, launched a tournament intended to help young people learn the twin values of sports, through playing futsal, and mental strength, to be a hero. On May 28, 2017, the fourth annual “FUTSAL HEROES” finals tournament was held in Seoul, South Korea. The competition saw the fourteen teams that had qualified in the preliminary rounds held in Seoul, Daejeon, Daegu and Busan compete in the finals. The finals took place at the Korea Media Center in Seoul, and drew large crowds of supporters and well-wishers to enthusiastically cheer the teams on. This year’s winning team, Banpo Middle School from Seoul, celebrate their second consecutive win of the tournament. Speaking about the competition, one student said, “In normal life, we get a lot of stress with studying. But, participating in the futsal competition was an experience. We had a great time in preparing for the games and it was fun to take part with my friends. We are so happy to win this year again!” Four years ago, the first tournament was held between 128 middle schools in the Korean capital of Seoul. From these beginnings, the tournament has grown year on year to include more schools from across the country. Last year, middle schools from Busan were added, and this year the tournament was expanded to include schools from Daejeon and Daegu. In the past four years, futsal teams from approximately 600 schools, totaling about seven thousand young people, have participated so far. In 2018, "FUTSAL HEROES" will be held in six major cities in South Korea. This year also marks the 30th year since POCARI SWEAT was launched in South Korea. Donga Otsuka in participation with education departments and schools, holds briefing sessions to students on the importance of hydration. POCARI SWEAT is available in 20 countries and regions across Asia and the Middle East. It is the organizers’ hope that the tournament will expand to include teams from other Asian countries as well. Their big dream is that in the future school teams will represent their nations in an international tournament. Going forward, Otsuka Pharmaceutical and its affiliates will continue to support sports at all levels and their contribution to health to all ages.

Vol. 100: Developing Heroes On and Off the Futsal Pitch

See the full story with pictures at https://www.otsuka.co.jp/en/company/globalnews/detail.php?id=240&date=2017-04-22 On April 22, 2017, the Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) Foundation honored Otsuka Pharmaceutical for our long-standing and successful commitment to develop an innovative, first-in-class drug treatment for autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) and for its collaboration with the foundation.  “Working together with basic science funded by PKD Foundation and the research and development capabilities of Otsuka, tolvaptan has become the first drug approved in Japan, Canada and the European Union, hopefully this landmark drug will soon become available in the United States as well for the treatment of ADPKD. The Foundation applauds the unwavering commitment of Otsuka to bring this important new therapy to the marketplace. It is for this persistence and recognition of the unmet medical need of PKD patients in the US and worldwide that the PKD Foundation has honored Otsuka at its Gratitude dinner in San Francisco this spring”, said Andy Betts, the chief executive of the PKD Foundation.  Yoshitaka Yamamura, a researcher at Otsuka’s Tokushima Research Institute who pursued research on the antidiuretic hormone vasopressin for decades, and Frank Czerwiec, vice president of Global Clinical Development at Otsuka Pharmaceutical Development & Commercialization, Inc., who was deeply influential in initiating and steering the global development of tolvaptan for ADPKD, accepted the award on behalf of the company. For over 20 years, Otsuka has pursued developing a treatment for ADPKD – a condition that causes cysts to proliferate in the kidneys and often results in end stage kidney disease, requiring dialysis or kidney transplantation. During this period, the PKD Foundation has worked side-by-side with us as advocates for disease state awareness. In addition, they have been instrumental in recruitment of participants in clinical trials and helping advance the compound through the regulatory process. “Otsuka's purpose starts with addressing patient problems,” said Dr. Czerwiec. “In the case of ADPKD, we have built upon research initiated by highly motivated researchers inside and outside the company. In this sense, ours is a symbiotic relationship where we each achieve our goal faster through collaborative research.” Mr. Yamamura and Dr. Czerwiec, on behalf of the company, are humbled to see Otsuka honored at this year’s Gratitude Benefit. “To share in recognition that is given to physicians and patients who fight this disease is a great honor,” Dr. Czerwiec said.

Vol. 99: Otsuka Recognized at the Polycystic Kidney Disease Foundation Gratitude Event

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