Santen

In 1890 Osaka, as Japan was rapidly modernizing, a pharmacist named Kenkichi Taguchi saw a widespread problem: eye disorders were rampant. He founded a small firm, Taguchi Santendo, initially selling a cold remedy. However, recognizing the significant need for eye care, he launched Daigaku Eye Drops in 1899. This product became a nationwide success and set the company on a new, focused path. In 1925, the business was formally established as Santendo Co., Ltd., with Chuko Mita as its first president, who was instrumental in building the company's foundation. The company made a pivotal shift after World War II, concentrating its strategy on eye drops and entering the prescription pharmaceutical market in the 1950s. This specialization became its core strength. A key moment was the 1962 launch of Mydrin-P, a product for pupil dilation used in surgeries and diagnostics, which significantly contributed to the advancement of ophthalmology in Japan. The company's journey toward becoming a global player included its listing on the Osaka and Tokyo Stock Exchanges in 1963 and 1964, respectively. This marked a new phase of growth and access to capital. Throughout the late 20th century and into the 21st, Santen expanded its presence, establishing itself in Europe in the 1990s and later in the U.S. In 2015, Santen sharpened its focus further by selling its anti-rheumatic drug business to concentrate all its resources on ophthalmology, cementing its identity as a specialized global leader in eye health.