Companies

The company's integrated operations extend from research and development to production and sales of prescription and over-the-counter pharmaceuticals. Since its foundation in 1890, Santen Pharmaceutical has contributed to the protection and improvement of people's eyesight and health. The company's first ophthalmic product was launched in 1899. In 1958, the company changed its name from Santendo Pharmaceutical to the present Santen Pharmaceutical, and entered the prescription pharmaceuticals business. In 1977, the company was listed on the first section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange and Osaka Securities Exchange. In 1993, the U.S. subsidiary Santen (USA) was established, followed by the German subsidiary Santen (Germany) in 1994, and Taiwan Santen Pharmaceutical and a Finnish subsidiary in 1997. In November 2001, Santen acquired the U.S. company Advanced Vision Science, which is involved in the research, development, production and marketing of intraocular lenses. Santen has marketing and clinical development bases in Japan, the United States and Europe, along with R&D facilities. Santen's Japanese subsidiaries are Santen Distribution and Claire. The company's international subsidiaries are Santen (US) and Santen (Finland), Santen Holdings U.S. (a holding company), Phacor and Advanced Vision Science (two US medical devices subsidiary), Santen Pharmaceutical (The Netherlands), SantenPharma (Sweden), Santen (Germany), Taiwan Santen Pharmaceutical, and Santen Pharmaceutical Korea.