Column

No.

11

The DenkaWay Spring

Gunbai

The DenkaWay
Spring
2022

Vol.

11

Cherry blossoms at the Denka Innovation Center(formerly, Central Research Institute), located in Machida, Tokyo. They consist ofeight Yoshino cherry trees and one Yaezakura and Pendula Rosea. Each of themis estimated to be around 70 years old. It is said that the Yoshino trees, whose
petals are especially beautiful in blossom, have long been watching over Denka’s
history from their location near the main entrance,
A former employee shared the story of how the trees came to be. Around 1951,
then-President Yosoichi Nomura ordered employees to purchase a Paulownia tomentosa tree in order to study the effects of lime nitrogen on plant growth. They
used the opportunity to also purchase Yoshino cherry tree seedlings, which werethen planted at the Meguro Research Institute, Denka’s research hub at the time.
Afterward, they were replanted at the Central Research Institute to commemorate the relocation of the Meguro Research Institute to Machida.
These cherry blossoms came to be known among employees as the symbol of
the Central Research Institute. In the past, employees who had completed a halfday on Saturday would enjoy a round of drinks watching the cherry blossoms
after breaking a sweat playing tennis and softball. Also, at the founding ceremony
for the Innovation Center, commemorative photographs for long service commendations were taken in front of the trees, which has since become a tradition.
Center, there were inquiries about the blossoms from the head office every day,showing that the trees had become an inseparable part of the “Denka Spring.”
The trees have also become a bridge between Denka and the local community,
as many residents also look forward to their blossoming.
Just as they have continued watching over Denka’s history until now, the cherry
blossom trees will continue to place smiles on the faces of those who admire
them.

Unauthorized
reproduction prohibited

During years when the company entrance ceremony was held at the Innovation

Published: April 1, 2022/ Publisher: Corporate Communications Dept., Denka Co., Ltd. / Editor-in-chief: Hiroyuki Yamamoto /Nihonbashi Mitsui Tower, 2-1-1 Nihonbashi-muromachi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 103-8338

Ten cherry blossom trees signal the start of spring at Denka’s Innovation Center

Vol.11The Cherry Blossoms
Watching OverDenka’s History

2022

A place for employees andlocal residents can relax

Protecting Society from Influenza

Providing More Vaccines, FasterContents

2 Amazing the World with Innovation
Protecting Society from Influenza
Providing More Vaccines, Faster10 Think INNOVATION
Spreading Culture and Happiness to People with the Scent of Spices
by Indo Curry-Ko, culinary spice researcher/TV personality

11 Challengers for Denka Value-UpOn the Frontline of the Threefold “Value-Up”

16 A Specialist’s Perspective
17 DENKA TOPICS
18 With You, With Denka.
20 Gunbai Column

2Protecting Society from Influenza

Increased Productivity with

Providing More Vaccines, FasterDX(Automation)

One of the defining characteristics of the new manufacturing facility is its process automation. A large
amount of chicken eggs are used when manufacturing vaccines, and they need to be transported between processes. At the old facility, up to 5000 eggs
would be transported by hand with a moving cart,
which was a burdensome process. The new facility
utilizes an AGV (Automatic Guided Vehicle) to automatically carry them between processes. Automationis also implemented for various other functions suchas cleaning and disinfecting equipment.

As one of the leading domestic manufacturers of influenza vaccines, Denka started
manufacturing and selling the influenza HA vaccine in 1972, making it responsible formaintaining a stable supply of vaccines. To win the fight against infectious diseases
and protect people’s health, Denka will strengthen and expand its vaccine business.

Gosen Site Niigata Factory

Examples of installed equipment

Influenza Vaccine Stock Solution Facility
Manufacturing No.42 Begins Operations

The New
Manufacturing Facility
Will Change

A new facility to produce influenza vaccine stock solution was built at the Niigata
Factory in Denka’s Gosen Site, and operations began in March. This will greatly
enhance Denka’s production capacity and make vaccines available to more people
than ever before.

Influenza vaccines are made from a mixture

manufacturing facility.

of several virus strains. Since 2015, following

The new manufacturing facility, whichworldwide epidemic trends, the Japanese

began operations in March 2022, has twice thegovernment decided to switch from trivalentcapacity of the old facility. Manufacture of thevaccines to quadrivalent vaccines. This meantvaccine stock solution typically starts between

that influenza vaccine manufacturers had tolate February and early March every year, andincrease the types of stock solution produced toshipping begins in mid-September. Vaccinations

four, which requires more advanced manufactur-at medical institutions start from October. It takes

ing technology.

around three weeks from the time of vaccination

Denka’s old manufacturing facility and pro-to develop immunity. Influenza epidemics start induction line at the Niigata Factory in the Gosen

December at the earliest. The increase in pro-

Site were made to handle only three types ofduction capacity means vaccines can reach thestock solution. Naturally, the switch to four types

market earlier than before, giving more people

in 2015 resulted in decreased productivity,

an opportunity to prepare for the flu season as

which made it difficult to adequately address

soon as possible.

demand. Additionally, the required virus strainschange yearly in line with epidemic forecasts,
and years with difficult to manufacture strains
suffer from a decrease in production quantity.
Thus, in 2018, Denka decided to increase its

Amazingthewith Innovation

1

AGV (Pictured)
LoaderEquipment which automatically loads trays on themoving cart.
UnloaderEquipment which automatically unloads trays
from the moving cart.

Denka’s Influenza Vaccine
Production!

DoubledProduction Capacity

Even when working at full capacity, the old facility experienced ups and downs in productivity
due to yearly changes in virus strains. The new facility has roughly twice the capacity of the oldone, allowing it to deliver more vaccines to the market in a shorter amount of time. This boost
has enabled a more flexible response to yearly virus strain changes. We will aim to obtain the No.
1 share in the influenza vaccine manufacturing industry by utilizing the increased production.

Examples of installed equipment (Pictured)
Automated egg candling machine, inoculator, liquid sampler, cultivation equipment

3

Enhanced

Sterility

Lots of vaccine manufacturing processes require asterile environment that prevents the mixing in ofbacteria and foreign objects. The new facility features
an isolator, equipment which makes it easy to keep theenvironment sterile, ensuring it is strictly maintained.
This greatly contributes to superior product quality.

Examples of installed equipment
Isolator (Pictured), iseptic filtration equipment,
CIP/SIP equipment
CIP（Cleaning in Place）
A system which automatically cleans devices without
disassembling them.
SIP (Sterilization in Place)
A system which automatically sterilizes devices
without disassembling them.

influenza vaccine manufacturing capacity, startingthe construction of the new stock solution
2

The Denka Way | 2022 Spring

Explained in detail on the next page!

2022 Spring | The Denka Way

3

How the Influenza Vaccine is Made

The Safe Influenza HA Vaccine Made from Eggs
Following various processes, the influenza vaccine is shipped and delivered to people. Here, we will introduce

AmazingtheDenka’s one-year production cycle using the Influenza HA Vaccine as an example.

with Innovation

January – March

Selecting the virus strains used for
influenza vaccine production

March – September

The vaccine manufacturing process
at the Gosen Site

Manufacturing
stock solution

The start times of vaccine production may differ by year.

Influenza HA Vaccine Production Method –WHO(World Health Organization)
The WHO’s Global Influenza Surveillance andResponse System (GISRS) monitors the global
influenza epidemic status with a network of over
150 research institutes in 127 countries. Each
year, a meeting of WHO experts decides on therecommended virus strain for the influenza vaccine.

the “Chicken Egg
Method”
The manufacturing process for Denka’s Influenza HA vaccine
begins with the rearing of chicks to adult chickens which
produce fertilized eggs. The vaccine stock solution, madeusing cultivated virus strains and managed according to strict
national standards, mixes four different strains (two A-type
and two B-type) and is separated into vials. Afterward, quality

Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare
National Institute of Infectious Diseases
Taking into account the WHO’s recommendation,
the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare andthe National Institute of Infectious Diseases
examine the epidemic status domestically andabroad, then decide on the production strain
based on factors that include the presence ofantibodies, productivity of candidate strains,
vaccine effectiveness, and projected number ofsupplied doses.

tests are performed, and the vials are submitted for national
certification. The qualifying products are packaged andshipped sequentially.

ChickenOrdinary chickens are used, but
precautions are taken to ensurecleanliness and disinfection at
vendors’ poultry farms.

Egg (fertilized)

Virus injection

Eggs sold at grocery storesare unfertilized, but vaccine
manufacture requires fertilized
eggs. Before injecting themwith the virus, we make surethey are developing normally.

A hole is opened in the egg,
and the virus is injected.

Growing virusesin the egg(cultivation)

Virus collection
The multiplied viruses arecollected from the egg.

The viruses multiply throughcultivation at around 34℃ for
two days.

Virus concentration/
purification
The culture medium is filtered
to remove impurities such as
egg pieces and bacteria, andthe sucrose density-gradientcentrifugation method is used topurify and concentrate the viruses.

Splitting
Mixing in ether with the viruses
decomposes the virus particles andremoves lipids, making the viruses
inactive. This makes vaccine side
effects less frequent. Vaccines
which have undergone this process
are called HA vaccines.

October – December

September – December

August – November

July – October

Vaccination

Packaging/Shipment

National certifications

Formulation

ShipmentLabeling/Packaging

The vaccines are shipped to
distributors. Denka’s logistics
department handles the shipping
while managing temperatureand delivery schedules.

Labeling and packaging are
performed in preparation forshipment.

Quality tests/National
certifications

Stock solution
Per-strain stock solution is
produced. After rendering theviruses inactive, it is adjusted
to the specified concentration.

Productivity evaluations by the four
domestic vaccine manufacturers
The National Institute of Infectious Diseases
distributes candidate strains to the four domestic
vaccine manufacturers (Denka is one ofthem). The manufacturers perform productivity
evaluations on those strains and report backto the Institute. Once a likely candidate strain
emerges, manufacture begins.

Vaccination

To hospitals

People get vaccinated at
medical institutions.

Pharmaceutical wholesalers
deliver the vaccines to medical
institutions.

Distributors
Supply vaccines topharmaceutical companies
which sell them.

What is an

Influenza
4

Vaccine?
The Denka Way | 2022 Spring

Influenza viruses keep mutating. Therefore, it is

H3N2) and two B types (Yamagata and Victoria).

necessary to manufacture vaccines according

They provide protection against infection with theto the projected epidemic virus strain each year.

influenza virus and protect against aggravation if

Japanese domestic quadrivalent vaccines are a

infected.

mix of four virus types – two A types (H1N1 andWhat is a

Vaccine?

After inhouse quality testing,samples are submitted to the
National Institute of Infectious
Diseases for examination.

Filling/Formulation

Final bulk

Manufacturing the final bulk
(prior to filling) and filling/
formulation are performed in asterile environment to prevent
contamination.

The four types of stock
solution are mixed at a fixed
concentration, and the final
bulk is adjusted through dilution
and the addition of stabilizers.

After infection, the body becomes immune to thememorizes the shape of these pathogens so thatvirus, making it more difficult to get reinfected

its immune response can attack them if they enterand suffering from milder symptoms in case of

it again. This makes it more difficult to become

reinfection. Vaccines utilize this mechanism.

infected and results in milder symptoms in casePathogens, the source of disease, are insertedof infection.

into the body to create immunity, and the body2022 Spring | The Denka Way

5

The Main Vaccine Ingredient, Antigens,are Prepared Beforehand andAdministered into the Body.

Live Vaccine(Attenuated live vaccine)Multiplied viruses and bacteria are weakened (their pathogenicity is attenuated asmuch as possible) and used for this vaccine.

ExamplesMR (measles, rubella) vaccine, varicella vaccine, BCG (tuberculosis)
vaccine, mumps vaccine, etc.

Inactivated Vaccine
A vaccine which uses viruses grown within cells and bacteria grown in a
medium that are then deactivated (their infectivity is removed).

What are the six types of

Vaccine?
Researching Humanity’s Weapon
in the Fight against Disease

Vaccines are generally produced by cultivating viruses and bacteria in a medium and using
them as components, but new types are also under development, as the now-famous
COVID-19 mRNA vaccine shows. Currently, there are six main types of vaccines available.

Characteristics

ExamplesAmazing
theSupervision: Vaccines Dept., Denka Company Limited.
Illustration: COVID-19 Q&A page, Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare

The vaccine components are synthesized by inserting viral genetic information into
cells and producing virus-like particles (VLPs) and virus parts.

Examples6

Hepatitis B vaccine (yeast origin), Influenza vaccine (non-Japanesemade), COVID-19 vaccine (under development)

The Denka Way | 2022 Spring

DNA can be synthesized easily, and thus these vaccines canbe developed quickly. However, the effects of inserting DNA
into the body are not yet fully known.
COVID-19 vaccine (under development)

mRNA Vaccine
Administering mRNA, the “template” cells use to create proteins.
Characteristics

Characteristics

Viruses which do not or barely multiply in cells utilized for
vaccine manufacture can be used. These vaccines have ahigh relative safety.

COVID-19 vaccine, Ebola virus disease vaccine (non-Japanese-made)with Innovation
ExamplesRecombinant Protein Vaccine

They are effective because they function similarly toactual infection with the disease. When multiple doses areadministered, the vector virus may be eliminated by the
immune system, which can reduce effectiveness.

DNA Vaccine

Characteristics

The 4-in-1 diphtheria/tetanus/pertussis/polio vaccine, the influenza
HA vaccine, the pneumococcal vaccine, etc.

A vaccine that administers viral vectors which are not pathogenic to humans,
but have been genetically modified using the target virus’ genes, into the body.
The viruses enter human cells, and antigen proteins are made to give the person
immunity.

A vaccine that directly administers circular DNA containing the target virus’ genes,
making the body produce antigen proteins. No such vaccines have been approved asof yet.

They are very safe. Several doses are required to gain
immunity.

ExamplesViral Vector Vaccine

Characteristics

Characteristics

They confer an immunity similar to that gained in the caseof natural infection. Side effects akin to a mild version of
the disease may appear.

Administering Genetic Information,
the “Antigen Blueprint,” into the
Human Body to Make Cells Create Antigens.

ExamplesmRNA can be synthesized easily, and thus these vaccines
can be developed quickly. Antigen proteins can be directly
created, in contrast to DNA vaccines. They are cheap andrelatively easy to manufacture.
COVID-19 vaccine

2022 Spring | The Denka Way

7

Interview with the Deputy General Manager ofthe Vaccines and Diagnostics Business Headquarters

Protecting People’s Priceless Healthis Denka’s Mission
What is the aim behind the new vaccine stock solution manufacturing facility? Deputy General Manager Otsuka,
who has been involved with the influenza vaccine business, will introduce his own experience while explaining the future prospects.

Ensuring Denka fulfills its duty as a
vaccine provider

Changes in the supply of influenza vaccines (figures are in thousands of doses)

are responsible for the entire domestic supply, which(thousand doses)

means that if just one of them fails to achieve its

35,000targets, there will not be enough to meet demand.

30,000Denka has a serious obligation to supply vaccines.

25,000

Vaccines are capable of preventing infections

20,000and aggravation in case of infection, to an extent.

15,000Thus, providing vaccines to protect people’s health

10,000means respecting life and becoming a company that

5,000

contributes to and is trusted by society. That is what0

makes the vaccine business so significant.

Deputy General Manager, Vaccines andDiagnostics Business Headquarters,
Life Innovation

History

AmazingtheStart of regular vaccinations
for elderly people, etc.

Suspension of regularvaccinations
Trivalent vaccine

The vaccine business is facing
various difficulties

specialist poultry farmers who require over a year toawareness of the importance of infectious disease

prepare the parent chickens.

prevention has increased, and influenza vaccinations

There are difficulties on the sales side, as well.

8

The Denka Way | 2022 Spring

are becoming essential. The launch of Denka’s new

Even after supplying the vaccines to the market,

stock solution manufacturing facility No. 42 will

difficulties. First of all, it is not easy to manufacture

sometimes a mismatch between the vaccine strain andcontribute to a stable supply of influenza vaccines andbusiness was started by Toshiba Chemical Corporation,

vaccines. The vaccine strain for the following season isthe epidemic strain occurs, which results in reduced

enable us to meet demand. This will result in more

the predecessor of Denka Seiken, with which Denka

chosen based on epidemic prognoses, and vaccines

vaccine effectiveness. Side effects may also occur after

people being able to get vaccinated when they needmerged in 2020. The company received an approval forare produced by cultivating and growing viruses using

vaccinations.

to. Medical institutions will also be able to proactively

the manufacture of the current influenza HA vaccine infertilized eggs. This is fine when the selected virus

1972 and began selling it. At the time, yearly production

strain multiplies easily, but when it does not, production

sustain a balance between supply and demand. Dueamounted to 3.3 million vaccines. The revision to thevolumes decrease.

to the COVID-19 pandemic, many people wanted

Production for the 2022/2023 season, whento get an influenza vaccine during the 2020/2021

the new stock solution facility will be operational, isDenka would like to provide more vaccines to

For the vaccine business, it is very important topromote vaccinations, which will help the market
expand.

suspension of regular vaccinations, and the entire

those that want them, but since production volumes

season, and the four manufacturers’ yearly production

estimated at 10 million vaccines, and from the following

domestic production slumped to just 300,000 vaccines,change according to the selected strain, they can only

exceeded 30 million vaccines, most of which wereseason, Denka plans to produce over 12 million.

with Denka manufacturing only a few tens of thousands.

be known with certainty no earlier than June or July

used.

Meeting these targets will allow us to obtain the No.1

Due to the large drop in the number of vaccinatedeach year. Despite making every effort to enhance

Despite predictions for a similar demand in thepeople caused by this revision, many care facilities

manufacturing at the Niigata Plant, unfortunately there

2021/2022 season, actual demand slumped toward

In addition to expanding production volume withexperienced influenza outbreaks, resulting in an increase

were years when demand could not be met. The

the end of the season. The Ministry of Health, Labour

the launch of the new stock solution facility, Denka

in deaths of elderly people due to lung inflammation in

2021/2022 season has also been affected by an

and Welfare announced that production volumes would

is making efforts to improve vaccine manufacturing

addition to cases of influenza-associated encephalopathy

unproductive strain, resulting in a decreased volume

decrease, which caused medical institutions to restrict

efficiency and vaccine effectiveness/safety at the plant.

in children. Later on, with the help of data related tocompared to the previous year.

the number of vaccinations and wholesale distributors

The company’s aim is to expand the entire vaccine

to limit the number of vaccines delivered. The planned

business by utilizing these influenza vaccines.

vaccine effectiveness, the importance of vaccinations

Additionally, the manufacturing process needs

was recognized. Regular vaccinations were introduced

to abide by the Pharmaceutical and Medical Device

third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine also affected

for high-risk individuals, such as the elderly, in 2001.

Act (Act on Securing Quality, Efficacy and Safety ofdemand.

This resulted in a steady growth in demand. To meet this

Products Including Pharmaceuticals and Medical

demand, Denka increased its investment into vaccines

Devices) and be conducted under the standards of theand strengthened production capacity in addition tocertificate of approval for the manufacture and sale ofexpanding its sales channels.

pharmaceutical products. It takes a long time, and theThere are only four domestic influenza vaccine

chicken eggs used in the process are produced byshare domestically.

New types of vaccines are being developed tocombat the spread of COVID-19. By combining novel
methods with the company’s technology, cultivatedContributing to a stable supply
with the new facility

over a period of 70 years, Denka will aim to becomea manufacturer with the potential to develop new
vaccines and contribute to disease prevention in JapanDue to the COVID-19 pandemic, society’s

and abroad.

1945

1972

2022

The Niigata branch of Tokyo Shibaura Electric Co., Ltd (currently,

Successfully commercialized the influenza HA

The new stock solution manufacturing facility

Toshiba)’s Physical and Chemical Research Institute was established.

vaccine, which has reduced side effects. Sales

No. 42 begins operations at the Niigata Factory.

It would later become Denka Seiken and merge with Denka. It

began in September of the same year.

Manufacturing capacity for the influenza HAvaccine is increased.

contributed to infectious disease prevention in the post-war period.

with Innovation

Quadrivalent vaccine

Denka began producing influenza vaccines in 1951. The

Preventive Vaccination Act in 1994 resulted in the

Go Otsuka

The 20/21 season saw the highest supply
since switching to a quadrivalent vaccine

From materials provided by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare

The influenza vaccine business faces unique

PROFILE
Joined the former Denka Seiken Co., Ltd. in 1981. After
working at the Niigata Factory, he was assigned to the
Osaka Medical Branch before assuming his current postin April 2020. He enjoys walking his dog on his days off.

Highest supply
on record

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What is the significance of Denka’s manufacture of influenza vaccines?

manufacturers, including Denka. These four companies

The Niigata Plant in 1947

Manufacturing influenza HA vaccines in the 1970s

Niigata Plant facility No. 42

2022 Spring | The Denka Way

9Think INNOVATION
Introducing articles that provide hints for innovation

No. 11

Spreading Culture and Happiness to People with the Scent of Spices
Culinary spice researcher/TV personality

Indo Curry-Ko

She is the CEO of Korinkan Co., Ltd., a shop for beginners in the world of spices. Under the motto of easily making spicy curry at home,
she develops and sells original spice sets for beginners in addition to writing cookery books and being involving in product development, marketing, and consulting.
She graduated from the Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture at the University of Tokyo in March 2021 and is a member of JAPAN MENSA.

Starting my career as Indo Curry-Ko
with unshakeable confidence in the possibilities of spices

am aware that food loss is an important social issue that must be addressed, and I can’t let ingredients go to waste. Devising ways to avoid
food loss has always been my policy.

I first noticed the charm of spices when I started making authentic spicy

My spice sets are manufactured at the social welfare corporation

curry without commercially prepared packages for my older sister, who

Harakara, which supports the independent lives of people with disabil-

loves curry, at the age of 19. Generally, spicy curry has an image as aities. However, I’m not using this fact to promote my products to con-time-consuming meal people may not be motivated to make at home.

sumers. Once again, my goal is to spread the charm of spices across

They especially feel that blending spices is difficult. However, once you

Japan. We are working together to achieve our objectives.

try making it, you will notice how easy

People will definitely be buying
spices at convenience storesin the future

it really is. You basically just have three
spices to blend: turmeric, cumin, andcoriander, which are mixed in a 1:1:1

On the Frontlineof the Threefold

Value-UpNo.

03

Gosen Siteratio. All you need is a frying pan. You

I met a nurse at my book signing last

don’t need to use a lot of oil, so it isyear. She told me that many patients

surprisingly healthy. You can change

cannot finish their hospital meals be-

In this segment, we focus on the worksites that are striving to

the ratio or combination of spices forcause of their low salt content andrealize the threefold growth vision “Denka Value-Up.”an infinite number of arrangements.

bland taste. However, she added

In this third edition, we will introduce the Gosen Site.

And it just tastes so good! When Iwith a smile that when her hospital

discovered this, I felt like I had stum-

implemented mildly spicy curry into

bled upon a diamond in the rough. I

the meals, food waste was consider-

was convinced that honing these cur-ably reduced. I was so happy to hearry-making skills would bring about

that! My aim is to spread the charm

wonderful results. Home meals wouldof spices by improving people’s dietary

become more fun and enjoyable, andhabits, and I will consider my goals

Japan’s cuisine would be enriched.
This revelation marked the start my career as Indo Curry-Ko.
At the age of 21, I established Korinkan Co., Ltd. and became its
manager. People sometimes tell me that I must be very daring to startachieved once spices are on sale inconvenience stores. I have also heard that spices have positive healtheffects. I would like to share more scientific data on spices with consumers as it becomes available.

my own business at such a young age. However, becoming an entre-

The number of healthy people in Japan may increase as spicy

preneur was not my goal – producing and selling my own spice sets

curry becomes more commonplace. Also, more Japanese people may

was simply the fastest way to spread the charm of spices.

become interested in southern Asian countries like India, allowing for

My core business idea is to minimize food loss during the productionof the spice sets. To be honest, I need to procure multiple kilograms of

mutual cultural development. I believe spices have the power to spreadhappiness.

various spices to make the sets, and it is not easy to use them all up. I
10The Denka Way | 2022 SpringIndo Curry-Ko’s official website: https://indocurryko.net/

2022 Spring | The Denka Way

11

Offering new alternatives andRecently constructed officebuilding (Facility No. 45,
Niigata Plant, Gosen Site)

Business

Value-Up

DELYTACT® Injection G47Δ virus
preparation for cancer treatment

Using a virus to develop and manufacture the worldʼs first
remedy for previously incurable cerebral tumors

13

years ago, the medical world consideredtreating cancer with viruses an unthinkable concept. Shattering this notion, Daiichi Sankyo
launched the DELYTACT® Injection*1 G47Δ virus
preparation for cancer treatment in November 2021.
Denka is responsible for the DELYTACT® Injection.
In 2015, Denka (then Denka Seiken) acquired the
manufacturing rights for G47Δ*2 from its inventor, Professor Tomoki Todo of the Institute of Medical Science,
The University of Tokyo, ahead of its competitors. The
company then worked on joint development of its manufacturing method. Cancer virotherapy is a mechanismthat eliminates cancer cells by using viruses that only
replicate in genetically-modified cancer cells. The pioneer, G47Δ, has been approved for malignant glioma*3
applications for the first time in the world. Conventional
choices for cancer treatment used to be operations,
pharmacotherapy (anticancer agents) and radiation
therapy. However, these treatment methods could not

Spot Light

Gosen Site

An office building to serve as a future hub

Manufacture of safe and quality productswith united efforts by all employees
Supporting people’s health with the three pillars of prevention,
diagnosis, and treatment

T

he Gosen Site was established in Gosen
City, Niigata Prefecture in 1950. Its
main purpose was the manufacture and saleof vaccines, serums, etc. Later on, the site
started selling reagents for bacteria and viruses.
Currently, it houses two factories, Niigata andKagamida. The former develops and manufactures vaccines, while the latter tests reagents.
The site has been meeting diverse customer
needs for more than 70 years in the prevention
and diagnosis domains through influenza HAvaccines and QuickNaviTM-COVID-19 Ag.
In recent years, it has started developing andmanufacturing the DELYTACT® Injection G47Δ
virus preparation, which is part of the treatment domain. The site is determined to further
strengthen the three pillars of prevention,
diagnosis and treatment, as exemplified by theconstruction of a new G47Δ plant (Facility No.

12

The Denka Way | 2022 Spring

41, Niigata Plant).
The newly built office building (Facility No.
45, Niigata Plant) will indeed contribute to
the above-mentioned concept. While helping avoid contaminations and other risks bydirectly connecting to the manufacturing facility
for vaccine stock solutions, the building willassemble manufacturing staff members who
used to be separated, which will invigorate
communication. In order to establish a senseof presence as a pharmaceutical manufacturer
and further expand the business, it will develop
and manufacture safe and quality products andenable all employees to work together andhave productive discussions. Countermeasures
for infectious diseases, including COVID-19
and others, are now entering a new stage. The
Gosen Site will continue evolving in order tosupport people’s health into the future.

VOICE

Always carrying
a challenger’s spirit
The site has come across difficulties andexperienced some failures while trying to

Newly built manufacturingbuilding for DELYTACT®
Injection G47Δ virus
preparation for cancer
treatment (Facility No. 41,
Niigata Plant, Gosen Site)possibilities for recovery in cancer treatment

VOICE

Tenaciously accomplishing
unprecedented challenges
In 2009, I met Professor Todo for the firsttime while working for Daiichi Sankyo,
my previous company. I was interested

cure malignant glioma. The cancer virotherapy not only
provides cancer patients with a new treatment option
but is also expected to help them completely overcome
the illness.
Manufacturing this product requires highly advanced
technology, including large-scale virus cultivation. The
Gosen Site has long developed such technologies
through manufacturing vaccines and virus test reagentsand was fully able address the manufacture of G47Δ.
It is anticipated that needs will rapidly grow due toexpanding overseas sales and a wider range of applications. In order to deliver this drug to as many cancer
patients as possible both in Japan and overseas,
Denka will study and build more efficient manufacturingmethods for mass production.

in cancer virotherapy even before thatand was very moved by the possibilityof G47Δ and the professor’s aspirations
as I continued to support development.
The challenge was unprecedented andaccompanied by numerous difficulties.
However, due to the tenacious effortsof the approximately 100 G47Δ Unit
members, sales started successfully, andI am very proud of that.

Osamu Sato
G47Δ Unit Leader
Life Innovation*1: DELYTACT® is a registered trademark of Daiichi Sankyo.
*2: G47Δ is a triple-mutated, replication-conditional herpes simplex virus type 1 (third-generation oncolytic herpes simplex virus type 1), which isdesigned to exhibit replication capability only in cancer cells.
*3: Type of malignant cerebral tumor that is classified in high-grade malignancies of grades III and IV. The number of newly diagnosed patients inJapan is estimated to be around 2,800 people per year.

Two-stage effects of DELYTACT® Injection G47Δ virus preparation for cancer treatment
First stage

Infection

Viruses

Viruses

DELYTACT® Injection*1
G47Δ virus preparation

DELYTACT® Injection*1
G47Δ virus preparation

Cancer cells

Normal cells

Virurepli sescatingestablish new pillars of treatment. Howev-

Not
replicating!

er, the employees have managed torealize their dreams. Everyone continues

Special viruses which only destroy cancer cells

to address challenges without being

The viruses do not replicate in normal cells

overcome by difficulties, and I believe
this is the embodiment of the corporate
slogan “Possibility of chemistry.” I want

Second stage

Cancer cells

Immune cells

to continue supporting people’s health
together with ambitious employees andaddress challenges one by one.

Yasuo Nakatomi
Site Manager,
Gosen Site

Immune cells recognize cancer cells as foreign objects,
thereby increasing actions toremove said cancer cells

Viruses that have destroyedcancer cells are removed byimmune cells in the body

Even after there are no more viruses,
immune cells continue to attack cancer cells!

2022 Spring | The Denka Way

13

B
Waste eggs collected from the Gosen Site are taken to
Denka Omi Plant and recycled as raw fuel for cement.

Using a melting machine to reduce the volume of Styrofoam to 1/50.

Annually, 700 tons of eggs and used Styrofoam are recycled

Reducing CO2 emissions via cooperation
within the Denka Group

B

ased on a policy passed on from the former
Denka Seiken, “respecting the dignity of lifeand protecting people’s health to remain a company
deserving of society’s trust,” the Gosen Site has
established an Environment Policy which aims to
reduce environmental burdens in the product life cyclein general, from design to raw material procurementand disposal, and co-exist with communities. In thiscontext, the Gosen Site has placed a special importance on waste reduction in recent years. It is tacklingchallenges such as the recycling of eggs, about 700
tons of which are used every year, and volume reductions of Styrofoam and other packing materials.
A large number of eggs are used in the manufacturing process of influenza vaccines. Previously, they
were incinerated, but as they contain a large amountof oil and eggshells, a plan was formulated to recycle
them as fuel. At the same time, there was a plan to
use them as fuel or raw materials at the recycling
business of the cement plant, Omi Plant. In FY2020,
700 tons of eggs were brought to the plant. By using
eggs as fuel, CO2 can theoretically be reduced byaround 800 tons. However, as eggs are perishable,
managing them is a difficult task. In FY2021, only
370 tons were transported, but this recycling effort willcontinue with adjustments being made to transportation schedules between sites.

14

The Denka Way | 2022 Spring

At the same time, disposing of Styrofoam, used
for packing raw materials, and bottles has long beena challenge for the Gosen Site. Styrofoam, one ton ofwhich is used annually, is so bulky that about ten 10ton trucks are needed for transportation. To disposeof it, exhaust gas emissions and transportation costs
are incurred. Therefore, the plant introduced a melting
volume reduction machine around 2015. By compressing Styrofoam into bar-shaped ingots, it canbe reduced to 1/50 of its original volume, thereby
enabling transportation by just one two-ton truck. To
check if the ingots can be used recycled materials
for chemicals, they are delivered to the Laboratory of
Toyo Styrene, a group company, thus disposing of excess Styrofoam. In addition, polypropylene bottles that
contain chemicals were disposed of as-is in the past,
but they are now turned into flakes with a crusher anddelivered to a waste disposal contractor.
Also, the Gosen Site has long been engaged incommunity cleaning activities with a district association in addition to participating in local blood donation
drives. By putting into practice “environmental load
reduction” and “strengthening dialogue with local
residents and supporting community activities,” as set
forth in the Environmental Policies, Denka will continue
its initiatives in consideration of ESG together withlocal communities.

Environment

Value-Up
VOICE

Awareness of environmentalload reductions across theentire company

oth the Niigata and Kagamida Factories of theGosen Site have a high ratio of female employees, with about half of all employees being women. As
the factories also employ people from overseas, they
focus on making improvements to facilities and human resource education in order to create a pleasantworking environment.
The Niigata Plant has installed ramps and accessible restrooms, incorporating a barrier-free design.
It is also working on labor-saving. The transportationof eggs that used to be carried out manually is now
conducted using automated guided vehicles (AGVs),
enabling safer transportation of large volumes. In
terms of liquid transportation, improvements havebeen made in the floor layout of the plant by installing pipes between fixed tanks for connections andautomatically feeding liquid to locations as necessary
in order to eliminate the need for heavy labor. Without
being constrained by the notion that heavy work
should be done by men, the plant established anenvironment where everyone can work in a safe andeasy manner.
The plant also emphasizes human resource development. Educational training to observe GMP (GoodManufacturing Practices) and operational procedures
take place at each department. Mr. Takaoka, General
Manager, says, “Hardware is operated by people, and
it is the cooperation between the two that enables the

manufacture and supply of quality pharmaceuticals.”
The Kagamida Plant attaches great importance tocross-departmental exchange. Opportunities are arranged to enable employees to explain their products
and the content of their work to colleagues engaged
in other processes to share each other’s work content
in the plant, which tends to have a vertical division
structure. Mr. Matsui, General Manager commented,“With pharmaceutical manufacturing, an important
premise is that procedures are strictly observed. On
the other hand, this may diminish employees’ ability tothink on their own, resulting in a reduced willingness
to make or seek improvements.” As employees learn
about the difficulties others working in upstream anddownstream processes experience, suggestions for
improvements will start to be made. Such activities toheighten employee awareness of improvements will
become increasingly important in the future.
The Kagamida Plant is now considering theconstruction of new facilities in an attempt to stimulate employees to review conventional approaches
to work. In addition, the plant is also studying thepossibility of increasing the number of females amongsupervisor and higher-level positions, with the anticipation that flexible ideas will come about as a result ofassembling diverse human resources in the plant.

VOICE

Establishing new educational
systems across departments
Both factories host educational programsfor individual departments, while considering it necessary to have comprehensive
education such as common programs
for factories and the entire company.
Engineer training is also a major theme.
Cooperation with external research
institutes and the creation of forums forengineers to address challenges will leadto a “Value-up” for human resources. The
factories will continue to create education
systems to enable employees to master
operational excellence so they canquestion and consider a wider variety of
topics.

Toshiyuki Takaoka
General Manager,
Niigata Plant

Hiroshi Matsui
General Manager,
Kagamida Plant

To recycle Styrofoam, it must be cleansed
on-site. As it used to be disposed of asis, employees were initially not used
to the cleansing work. However, I do
believe that general awareness about
waste reduction has been increasing
gradually. Pharmaceuticals require special
treatments, making them rather difficult to

Becoming a plant
where diverse human resources play active roles

Human resource development
to master operational excellence

sort or recycle. However, the Gosen Siteis addressing this challenge in a positive
way as environmental load reductions
across the entire supply chain increase inimportance.

Makoto Kanda
Environment and
Safety Dept.
Gosen Site

Human Resources

Value-UpTo confirm work procedures and facilitate exchanges among groups, meetings and classroom training
are being held. In addition, the factories also tackle
other challenges such as workload reductions andautomation as they aim to become places where
everyone can work safely and easily.

* Masks were only taken off for photos
while ensuring sufficient protection
against infectious diseases.

2022 Spring | The Denka Way

15

DENKA TOPICS
A Specialist’s
Perspective
Denka is striving to become aSpecialty-Fusion Company.
What do Denka’s specialists foresee
for the future?

Safe and Quick.
I Want to Continue Saving Lives.
POCT diagnostic reagents* enable medical
experts to quickly diagnose patients’ healthconditions. Mr. Hayashi is in charge of production
planning, process management, and operation

Introducing Denka Group news topics from January to March 2022.

Jan.

Denka and Toyo Styrene to build chemical recycling
plant for used polyethylene resins

Denka and one of its
equity method affiliStyrene monomers
Toyo Styrene Polystyrene resinsates, Toyo Styrene Co.,Denka
NIPPON STEEL
Chemical&Material
Circular model ofLtd., will build a chempolystyrene (PS)PS food containers/
SM refining plant
ical recycling plantchemical recycling Sheet manufacturers
for used polyethylene
Used PS
Recycled styrene monomers(PS) resins (annual
Chemical recycling plant
processing capacity:
about 3,000 tons). It
will be built on the site of the Chiba Plant (Ichihara City, Chiba Prefecture) and isscheduled to start operating in the second half of FY2023. To accomplish its social
responsibility as a manufacturing company of petrochemical products, Denka will
aim to utilize chemical recycling across the styrene chain, contributing to the early
establishment of a decarbonized recycling society.
(Toyo Styrene)(Toyo Styrene)coordination for the reagents. Being involved in aFeb.

making fine adjustments, he continues to address
the ever-evolving production environment. Nevermissing signs of change, he has established asystem capable of flexible responses even in
unpredictable circumstances.
He is also engaged in the launch of the rapid infectious disease diagnostic kit Quick Navi™, utilizing
process automation to increase production efficiency. His aim was to make the existing equipment
easy to use, allowing employees to work safely andcomfortably, commenting, “I am glad my improvements were effective at reducing burdens at our

Annual uniform partnership contract withALBIREX NIIGATA to be extended

Denka has extended its annual©ALBIREXNIIGATA
uniform partnership agreement(covering the neck area) withALBIREX NIIGATA in the J2
Soccer League. In the 2022
season (February 2022–January 2023), the company willcontinue to provide support to
ARBIREX NIIGATA. While Denka
tackles various challenges suchas contributing to local communities in Niigata Prefecture, improving health andwelfare and promoting sport, it will continue to support ARBIREX NIIGATA’s returnto the J1 League.

worksites.” He plans to continue pursuing stableproduction through all-hands-on-deck initiatives.
“Our products contribute to preventing infections
and protecting people’s lives. I will take on further
challenges to innovate production and operation
processes with a sense of pride.”*POCT diagnostic reagents: Diagnostic reagents are used for healthcheckups as well as the diagnosis of infectious diseases

Ryuma Hayashi

Assistant Manager, POCT Production Division,
POCT Production Department
Gosen Site, Kagamida Plant
Joined Denka in 2003. He is in charge of production andprocess management for the main packaging process of
the Quick Navi TM series, which enables medical experts
to quickly and easily diagnose infectious diseases such as
the influenza A and B viruses and COVID-19.

16

Mar.

Concluded the “Mizuho Positive Impact Finance”
financing contract with Mizuho Bank

Denka concluded the “Mizuho Positive
Impact Finance” financing contract
with Mizuho Bank, Ltd. Positive impact
finance comprehensively analyzes andevaluates the impacts of corporate
activities on the environment, society
and economy (positive and negative
influences). Whenever positive impacts are recognized and confirmed, financing
will be made to support these activities. Denka is currently being evaluated for
SDG-related items both qualitatively and quantitively.

Joint proposal as a consortium adopted by the
NEDO Green Innovation Fund Project

Forming a consortium jointly with
Kajima Corporation and Takenaka
Corporation, Denka submitted a
proposal in response to an open
call for applicants for the “Green
Innovation Fund: Project for theDevelopment of Technology for
Producing Concrete and Cement
Using CO2” by the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO). It was successfully adopted on January 24. The consortium targets
the realization of general-purpose carbon negative concrete at an advanced level
while also contributing to greenhouse gas reductions.

Feb.

wide range of work, including personnel distribution and machinery maintenance, which requireJan.

Establishment of the New Business Development
Department and reorganization of
corporate-wide research and new businessdevelopment organizations

On April 1, Denka will establish the
New Business Development Department, while at the same time
reorganizing research and new
business development organizations across the company. In lightof the next management plan due
to start in FY2023, the company
will reinforce its R&D activities. The Denka Innovation Center, an organization thatwill consistently carry out a series of processes from business conception andconcept studies to incubation and commercialization, will be deployed under theumbrella of the New Business Development Department, thereby clarifying responsibilities and operational systems for new business development. In addition,individual research departments that conventionally took charge of the specialization of existing businesses will be placed under the umbrella of individual businessdivisions, clarifying all responsibilities and accelerating the speed of development.

Mar.

Crown sponsorship of playoff matches
in the 23rd W League (2021–2022 Season)

Denka crown will sponsor the playoff matches
in the 23rd (2021–2022 season) Women’s
Japan Basketball League (W League). These
playoff matches involve a tournament withthe top eight from the 13 W League teams todecide the winning team in the regular season
between October 2021 and April 2022.

A “The Denka Way” reader survey is currently underway
For further details, please use the QR code

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2022 Spring | The Denka Way

17

With You, With Denka.

With Society.

The whole team mowed the grass around the gymnasium
they usually use

At the “Traffic Safety Campaign,” a joint event with the local Agano
Police Station© Niigata Albirex BB Rabbits

Itsuki Nakayama

Naomi Kitagawa

Turning cheers from the community into motivation andreturning the favor through work and play
Contributing to health promotion and regional development through sports

Sponsoring the Niigata Albirex BB Rabbits
at the W League (Women’s Japan Basketball League)
The Denka Group has established the “Denka Group Social Contribution Policies” to proactively participate in soci-contributing to the promotion of sports and health.
In 2012, Denka began supporting the women’s basketball team “Niigata Albirex BB Rabbits,” which is based in Niigata Prefecture, as a uniform sponsor. This is because the Denka Group also operates a business based in Niigata
and wanted to utilize the network it had established there to contribute to the region. For 10 years, Denka has
been contributing to the revitalization of the region through sports while deepening ties and interaction with local
residents.
In this section, we asked Naomi Kitagawa, captain of the Niigata Albirex BB Rabbits and an employee of the Denka
Gosen Office, about her involvement with the local community.
18

The Denka Way | 2022 Spring

valuable boosters (fans). The same goes for theirinvolved in various tasks, such as data collection andfamilies and acquaintances. Whether at work or atorganization and internal and external postal corre-a game, I keep in mind that every moment is an

INTERVIEW

spondence. It took me some time to get used to theopportunity to return the favor. That is how I approach

Naomi Kitagawa

job, but a year and a half has passed since I joined

both my job and basketball.

General Affairs Division,
Gosen Office, Denka Co., Ltd.
/ Captain, Niigata Albirex BB Rabbits

the company, and I am now able to handle proce-

Over the past few years, the COVID-19 pandemic

dures more efficiently. What I am always conscious

has resulted in fewer games and less interactionof is internal communication. As the General Affairs

with boosters. This has led to significant changes in

Division is involved with a variety of departments, I try

the women’s basketball community. Despite this, ourto learn a lot from the people around me and apply

boosters continue to support us by coming to ourthem to my work. I have been able to come this far

games and cheering us on in front of their screens.

thanks to the understanding and cooperation of my

By turning these cheers into our energy, we want tocolleagues, and I am very grateful to them. To further

win as many games as possible and share the joy

contribute to the company, I want to become moreof victory. Furthermore, we would like to make thebusiness-savvy.

Niigata Albirex BB Rabbits known to more people andFrom the perspective of a basketball player, mybecome worthy of their support.

ety as a good corporate citizen and contribute to sound and sustainable development. One of these policies is “healthand sports promotion.” Denka is working to revitalize the region to improve people’s quality of life while actively

As a member of the General Affairs Division, I am

PROFILE
Born in 1994. After graduating from thecurrent Tokai University Suwa Senior HighSchool and the Nippon Sport Science
University, she joined the Niigata Albirex
BB Rabbits in 2017. She has been thecaptain since the 2020 season. She started working for Denka in July 2020 and iscurrently involved in administrative work at
the General Affairs Division. Her position isPower Forward.
(As of March 31, 2022)

supervisors and colleagues are some of my most2022 Spring | The Denka Way

19