Meiji Animal Health was founded in April 2022 when Meiji Group's pharmaceutical sector integrated KM Biologics and Meiji Seika Pharma's veterinary medicine divisions. Their combined histories, accomplishments, and efforts make Meiji Animal Health the company it is today. Committed to enriching people's lives through animal health, our newly established company invites you to explore its rich history.
The Meiji Group began producing penicillin to fight the rise of infectious diseases in Japan. As the first company to invest in essential medical facilities and equipment, including large-capacity culture tanks, Meiji effectively boosted the availability of penicillin in the Japanese market.
The pharmaceutical industry recovers
In 1945, factories that had been destroyed during the war resumed pharmaceutical production. The subsequent authorization by the United States in 1946 for the production and sale of penicillin in the Japanese market marked a significant milestone. This opened the door for many companies to enter the pharmaceutical industry, and the industrialization of Japan's first antibiotic became a powerful driving force behind the nation's recovery.
The 1950sPost-war Reconstruction
By 1949, the livestock population rebounded to prewar levels. As the number of livestock increased, there was a growing social concern for maintaining sanitary conditions and implementing measures against infectious diseases among animals. Around 1950, pharmaceutical companies ventured into the production of veterinary medicines in response to this heightened interest.
1950Origins of the animal vaccine business
In 1950, the Rabies Prevention Law enacted a series of measures such as dog registration, vaccination, and containment of stray dogs. These efforts resulted in the eradication of rabies in just seven years. During this time, the Chemo-Sero-Therapeutic Research Institute, established in 1945, began producing veterinary medicines and received approval to produce a “rabies prevention solution for veterinary use.” This effective rabies vaccine played a pivotal role in eliminating rabies and continues to prevent its resurgence to this day.
1950Launch of antibiotic, Streptomycin Meiji
Meiji contributed to fighting Japan's leading cause of death, tuberculosis, by buying over half of the government's supply of the antibiotic, streptomycin. Recognizing the need for manufacturing facilities, Meiji emerged as the largest producer of penicillin, equipped with more culture tanks and resources for streptomycin production than any other company.
1952
The Chemo-Sero-Therapeutic Research Institute obtained approval to produce the first fowlpox vaccine, "Fowlpox Prophylaxis Solution."
1955Entering the veterinary antibiotic field
In 1955, Meiji Seika ventured into the veterinary medicines business with Meirich P, a penicillin feed additive for animals. This was a significant milestone as they grew to become a prominent manufacturer, producing many more antibiotics including an injectable kanamycin sulfate and a form of colistin sulfate for animal feed. Alongside veterinary antibiotic production, the company now addresses global bacterial resistance concerns by providing educational resources on proper antibiotic use and clinical testing procedures.
1960s-1990sEconomic Growth Signals a Change in Consumer Preferences
Rapid economic growth throughout the 1960s-1980s led to a shift in consumer preferences, resulting in the development of goods and pharmaceuticals designed to preserve stable, healthy, and affluent lifestyles. Furthermore, the 1980s saw a substantial increase in the number of pet owners and veterinarians.
1964Meiji Seika enters the feedstuff business
Meiji Seika, specializing in a wide range of enzymes for pharmaceutical, food, and industry, carefully selected enzymes to enhance digestion and absorption in animals. In 1964, they launched “Proctorase for Animals,” a proteolytic enzyme preparation for animal feed. This success led to a series of functional feed additives, including fiber-degrading enzymes, fructooligosaccharide preparations, and biocides. These products not only contributed to the treatment of animal diseases but also promoted their healthy growth.
1966Full-scale entry into the poultry vaccine field
In response to an emergency request from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries, the Chemo-Sero-Therapeutic Research Institute produced a solution for inactivating Newcastle disease in chickens. Later, the company broadened its range of chicken vaccines by introducing a five-dose combination vaccine and a seven-dose combination oil vaccine, which decreased stress by minimizing the number of vaccinations required. Currently, the company is focusing on enhancing vaccine safety through the creation of antigens using recombinant technology.
1993Meiji Seika enters the companion animal field
Meiji Seika entered the companion animal field with analgesic sedatives for dogs and cats, followed by analgesic injections and anesthesia induction drugs. This specialization in anesthesia and pain management allowed the company to become a prominent pharmaceutical manufacturer when it developed filariasis prophylactics and otitis externa treatments. Committed to companion animal welfare, Meiji Seika promotes education among Japanese veterinarians regarding the significance of pain control by hosting discussions with world-class experts in animal pain management.
1999Becoming the sole supplier of an AR swine vaccine in Japan
KM Biologics developed the SUIMMUGENART2 vaccine to protect swine from PMT and DNT, causes of porcine atrophic rhinitis (AR). Approved in 1998, SUIMMUGENART2 is the only vaccine containing both PMT and DNT. In 2018, the company introduced SUIMMUGENrART2/ER, combining AR and ER vaccines, which reduces swine inoculations, easing farmers' workload. These vaccines use only recombinant antigens, ensuring efficient production, a stable supply, and a safer vaccine. The company takes pride in being the exclusive Japanese supplier of a vaccine that neutralizes PMT and DNT, the primary causes of AR, and in developing the world's first AR vaccine utilizing only recombinant antigens.
In the 2000sLivestock Disease Epidemics
Chicken flu rages in Southeast and East Asia. In Japan, avian influenza viruses were confirmed in the 2000s, Also, in 2010, there was an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease. Awareness of infectious diseases and the importance of livestock quarantine increased.
2001Oilvax 7, the first domestic 7-virus poultry vaccine
By pioneering the development of oil adjuvants, KMB launched the first multi-species combination vaccine for chickens in Japan.
2003Entering the environmental remediation field
Meiji Seika Pharma introduced Astop and Pacoma, quaternary ammonium salt disinfectants, to its product lineup. Alongside iodine and chlorine disinfectants, these products have secured the No. 2 position as environmental remediation agents in the Japanese market. Additionally, Meiji Seika Pharma played a crucial role in national quarantine efforts by establishing an emergency shipment system for disinfectants. This system ensures a swift response to outbreaks of severe infectious diseases like bird flu, swine fever, and the 2010 foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in Japan.
After 2022Transitioning into a New Stage
The coronavirus epidemic leads to a dramatic shift in lifestyle and health concerns for people around the world.
2022Establishing Meiji Animal Health
Founded in April 2022, Meiji Animal Health brings together the combined expertise of companies committed to producing quality veterinary medicines, products, and services for over 70 years. Moving forward, Meiji Animal Health will further leverage these strengths to establish itself as the premier global provider of comprehensive animal health solutions.
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