News

Notice regarding Collaboration between
Maruha Nichiro and Ono in the Field of Health Foods

February 24, 2022

Maruha Nichiro Corporation (Tokyo, Japan; President, Masaru Ikemi; “Maruha Nichiro”) and Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Osaka, Japan; Representative Director, President, Gyo Sagara; “ONO”) announced the collaboration in the product development of foods with function claims in the field of health foods.

In Japan, one of the longest life expectancy countries in the world, the needs of consumers who desire a rich and vibrant healthy life expectancy are increasing, and the role of the food field as a preventive measure is expected to grow in the future, along with the medical field. Under such a circumstance, ONO (that has created many pharmaceutical products such as prostaglandin preparations from research on physiologically active lipids with various physiological functions) and Maruha Nichiro (that has strengths in the procurement and processing of marine products, and researched and developed functional materials derived from marine products) have been jointly working on product development of evidence-based functional lipid products.

In 2019, ONO succeeded in developing a functional lipid product using a marine product-derived functional material provided by Maruha Nichiro, and is now moving toward the start of the supplement business as ONO demonstrated the usefulness of the functional lipid product in two clinical studies. This is the first foray to ONO into the BtoC (Business to Consumer).

As reliable partners, the companies will cultivate preventive measure and presymptomatic disease fields located between foods and pharmaceuticals by effectively utilizing each other’s knowledge and business know-how, and be committed to delivering a lifetime health to as many people as possible.

About Maruha Nichiro Corporation

Maruha Nichiro Co., Ltd. is a comprehensive global food company with an integrated value chain from the procurement of raw materials to manufacturing and sales, with marine products at its core. Throughout the history of more than 140 years, we have focused on the deliciousness and nutrition of marine products and has delivered "Delicious Delight" to the world. We also manufacture and sell a wide range of functional ingredients to the pharmaceutical and health food industries. For further information, please visit the company’s website at https://www.maruha-nichiro.co.jp/.

About Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.

Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., headquartered in Osaka, is an R&D-oriented pharmaceutical company committed to creating innovative medicines in specific areas. ONO focuses its research on the oncology, immunology, neurology and specialty research with high medical needs as priority areas for discovery and development of innovative medicines. For further information, please visit the company’s website at https://www.ono-pharma.com/.