Zepharma's business structure unveiled

Japanese drugmakers Fujisawa Pharmaceutical and Yamanouchi Pharmaceutical say that their joint venture, Zepharma, which will focus on the development of over-the-counter medicines, commenced business on October 1, in accordance with the final agreement reached between the two firms in May this year.

The companies, which plan to merge next year to create Astellas Pharma (Marketletters passim), have also revealed Zepharma's operational structure. The JV's modus operandi will adhere to the slogan: "let us carry forward the 'well-being'," aiming to maximize the synergy of the fusion of marketing expertise and R&D ability which Fujisawa and Yamanouchi have independently developed thus far, they said.

Zepharma, headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, with around 200 employees, will be led by the newly-assigned president, Masaji Ohe, former vice president of OTC and consumer products at Fujisawa, with the support of executive VP, Koji Yoshinaga, previously VP of Yamanouchi's consumer health care.