Excellence in research globally closer to customer locally

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In pharmaceutical research, it seems like a small eternity passes before a medication is finally approved for sale, following long years of trials and testing. This year, Daiichi Sankyo, a leading global pharmaceutical company, has announced that its latest product Edoxaban, has finally made its entrance in some European pharmaceutical markets. At the moment, the Japanese company is about to pave the way for market introduction in Italy. Its Italian affiliate Daiichi Sankyo Italia SpA is eagerly awaiting the new product for the treatment of atrial fibrillation conditions and venous thromboembolism.

Daiichi Sankyo has always taken on a vanguard position when it comes to pharmaceutical research. A large percentage of its turnover is continuously reinvested in new product development.

In fiscal year 2014 almost 21% of total turnover was invested in R&D activities, which is a considerably higher percentage than the average investment rate of 15%.

“We are working hard to improve patients’ health and their quality of life,” says Country Manager Dr. Massimo Grandi. “Our key focus is on fighting and preventing cardiovascular disease. We have to acknowledge that every year about four million people die from cardiovascular disease.”

Daiichi Sankyo’s new product will improve the quality of life of people suffering from atrial fibrillation and venous thromboembolism, and its market launch has been prepared with great commitment.

Daiichi Sankyo has invested heavily in clinical trials. For instance, it has tested the new medication on more than 29,000 patients in the trials ENGAGE AF-TIMI 48 and Hokusai-VTE, the largest studies ever conducted in the field of anticoagulation.

Daiichi Sankyo can look back on more than 100 years in the pharmaceutical market. Today, the Japanese company has extended its presence to over 20 countries and ranks among one of the top 20 pharmaceutical companies worldwide.

Its global headquarters is in Tokyo, while the European is located in Munich. In Europe alone, the company employs a workforce of 2,000 people.

“Our Italian affiliate focuses on commercial operations and works together with over 700 hospitals and clinics in Italy,” points out Dr. Grandi. Next to its traditional focus on cardiovascular disease, Daiichi Sankyo has added research on oncology to its portfolio.

“Following the market launch of our new oral anticoagulant Edoxoban that will give an added value in the treatment of atrial fibrillation and venous thromboembolism, we will establish a new oncology product portfolio. Here, we can fall back on our experience in developing new medications. Currently, our oncology compounds have entered stages 2 and 3 in clinical trials, which means that we have already reached an advanced stage. The products will include medication for indications like hepatocellular carcinoma while others target acute myeloid leukaemia, cell tumour. Cardiovascular diseases will remain our core market, but we will strengthen our efforts in the field of oncology,” says Dr. Grandi.

Daiichi Sankyo is aiming to switch from a centralized approach to a more local one. “We want to build a ‘value’ as close as possible to stakeholders” adds Dr Grandi. “We deliberately chose an organizational model which is no more hierarchical but decentralized. This helps us to be flexible, adaptable to local needs. This is why Daiichi Sankyo is now organized in various self-governing Customer Focus Units - 3 Macro-Regions and 9 Local Units in Italy. This structure supports a concept of co-creation with clients on high standard projects, and add value to services specifically created for different local realities.”