Toyo Jozo

Toyo Jozo was a significant Japanese pharmaceutical and fermentation specialist that operated as a core member of the Asahi Kasei Group until its full merger into Asahi Kasei in 1992. Originally established in 1920 as a manufacturer of alcoholic beverages, the company successfully pivoted to life sciences by leveraging its advanced fermentation technology to produce penicillin and other antibiotics. Its most notable contribution to medicine was the discovery and development of Bredinin (mizoribine), an immunosuppressant widely used in renal transplantation and the treatment of lupus nephritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Beyond therapeutics, Toyo Jozo was a leader in the production of diagnostic enzymes and food additives. Today, its pharmaceutical legacy and research facilities form the foundation of Asahi Kasei Pharma's operations.