Wedoany.com Report-Dec.26, 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. This strategic move aims to enhance the company's global R&D capabilities in its pharmaceuticals business and accelerate open innovation through increased collaboration with external partners in drug discovery.

The company has built robust expertise in proprietary drug discovery alongside its established clinical development strengths. In recent years, Asahi Kasei Pharma has placed greater emphasis on discovering and commercializing new medicines via open innovation, utilizing external partnerships and collaborations. This method is designed to improve development reliability and raise the chances of successful market entry for new therapies.

Shonan iPark was chosen as the new location due to its globally connected life-science ecosystem. The park brings together a wide range of participants from various industries and scales, including pharmaceutical companies, developers in next-generation medicine, AI and digital health specialists, venture capital firms, and academic institutions. With approximately 190 organizations and more than 2,500 individuals present as of November 2025, it forms a dynamic environment managed by iPark Institute Co., Ltd.

The area serves as an emerging hub for young and highly skilled professionals, which is expected to aid in attracting top-tier R&D talent. Asahi Kasei Pharma intends to take full advantage of the opportunities at Shonan iPark by building networks with local companies, organizations, and other entities to broaden its collaborative efforts.

The new facility at Shonan iPark will feature state-of-the-art open labs and shared equipment. These resources are anticipated to improve research investment efficiency, optimize resource use, and speed up operational processes.

Asahi Kasei has designated its pharmaceuticals business as a first-priority area in its medium-term management plan, viewing it as a core driver of future growth. The relocation aligns with this focus by positioning the R&D hub in a collaborative setting that supports innovation in key therapeutic areas.

Kazunobu Konishi, Senior General Manager of the Pharmaceuticals Research Center at Asahi Kasei Pharma, said: “This strategic move was guided by our mission of sincerely caring for each individual and solving unmet medical needs with a wealth of ideas and science. Our current R&D site in Ohito, Shizuoka Prefecture, serves as a nexus for global specialty pharma. The move to Shonan iPark will allow us to enhance productivity and create value with globally competitive new medicines in areas where we have extensive experience, such as autoimmune diseases, severe infectious diseases, transplantation, and renal diseases.”

This relocation represents a forward-looking step to integrate internal drug discovery strengths with external expertise and advanced technologies. It supports Asahi Kasei Pharma's goal of delivering innovative pharmaceuticals that address unmet medical needs more effectively.