Contribution to Societies and Local Communities

In the practice of its Mission, "To broadly contribute to society through value creation based on innovative research and development activities for the betterment of healthcare and fuller lives of people worldwide," the Sumitomo Pharma Group not only provides innovative products and healthcare solutions, but also places importance on collaboration with local communities and society. Based on our Group Mission and Values (values that should be shared by all executives and employees), we aim to solve social issues in three categories in order to help people live healthier and more fulfilling lives: "Support for Medical Care and Health," "Initiatives to Develop the Next Generation" for future leaders in society, and "Support for Local Communities and Disasters Relief" to realize a sustainable society.

• Support for Medical Care and Health
• Initiatives to Develop the Next Generation
• Support for Local Communities and Disaster Relief

Support for Medical Care and Health

We work in collaboration with society to do what we can to help people live healthy lives, including contributing to medical care and health.

Support for Patients and Their Families

Under the Slogan of "Innovation today, healthier tomorrows," Sumitomo Pharma engages in social contribution activities with the aim of "Allowing all patients and their families to lead healthy, fulfilled lives."

Supporting the Creation of "Kiwanis Dolls" for Hospitalized Children

Since fiscal 2015 we have supported the creation of Kiwanis dolls that comfort hospitalized children. Kiwanis dolls are plain, white, cotton-filled dolls, and used in explanations to children of the medical treatment they will receive. Pictures illustrating treatments are drawn on the white dolls or they are used to simulate surgery or injections, to relieve children’s fear or anxiety concerning treatment. However, the dolls are not only used to explain treatment; children in hospital can have fun drawing faces or clothes on them so they are like “little friends” to children during their stays in hospital. Our employees actively contribute to the creation process by crafting doll shapes from white fabric and filling them with soft cotton. Once completed, these Kiwanis Dolls are then presented to children through the efforts of the Kiwanis Club.

Participating in the Summer Camp "Ganbare Kyowakoku"

We have participated in the summer camp "Ganbare Kyowakoku" organized by Certified NPO "The Support Network for NANBYO Children of Japan" since fiscal 2013. The camp aims to provide opportunities for children requiring medical care and their families to enjoy various extraordinary experiences such as playing in nature, singing, and interacting with friends, with the motto of "Let's make friends." It is extremely challenging for families with children requiring medical care to go on overnight trips. However, "Ganbare Kyowakoku" is a camp where children requiring medical care are continuously supported by dedicated volunteer medical staff, while other volunteer staff members engage in activities with their healthy siblings. Our employees participated as volunteer staff, aiming to provide a camp experience where all parents and children can truly enjoy with peace of mind.

Support Activities in the United States

Sumitomo Pharma America actively engaged in contributing to the community during company-wide meetings.
In August 2023, employees from sales department participated in an event with Culinary Care, an organization that provide meals for patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment at local clinics and hospitals.
Furthermore, in June 2024, our executives and employees worked together to pack pediatric cancer kits to benefit The Joe Andruzzi Foundation (JAF). JAF is committed to providing assistance to patients of all ages throughout New England who have fallen into financial hardships as a result of a cancer diagnosis.

For more information on support for patients and their families, please see "Activity Reports."

Support for Medical Advancements

Sumitomo Pharma provides donations to support research and human resources development in medicine, pharmaceuticals, and related fields.

Support for Establishment of Funded Laboratory

In April 2015, Sumitomo Pharma made a donation to support the establishment of the Department of Drug Discovery Medicine, a funded laboratory established by the Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University with the aim of developing human resources to undertake drug discovery in industry and academia.
For more details on the funded laboratory, please see https://www.mic.med.kyoto-u.ac.jp/dddm/support. (in Japanese only)

Support for the Japan Epilepsy Research Foundation

The Japan Epilepsy Research Foundation (JERF) was originally founded in commemoration of the 90th anniversary of the foundation of former Dainippon Pharmaceutical. The Foundation's purpose is to promote therapeutic research in the field of epilepsy and contribute to the healthcare and well-being of the general public. Subsequently, the Foundation gained a fresh start as a public interest incorporated foundation after being authorized as qualifying for the new public interest corporation system. Operated based on contributions from Sumitomo Pharma and other donors, the Foundation provides grants and commendations, holds meetings for reporting research results as forums for announcing its grants and commendations, and publishes an annual research newsletter.
In fiscal 2023, we provided 12 research grants and one overseas study grants. Sumitomo Pharma will continue to contribute to improvements in healthcare and welfare through its support for JERF.
For more information on the JERF's activities, please see https://www.epi-fj.jp/. (in Japanese only)

Research Grants

Sumitomo Pharma operates programs calling for researchers to submit research grant applications in the fields of medicine, pharmaceuticals and related fields.

• Research Grant Information
  Program: Fiscal 2024 grants for research on biological amines and neurological disorders (in Japanese only)

Initiatives to Develop the Next Generation

Sumitomo Pharma is engaged in activities to support the development of the next generation that utilize our pharmaceutical manufacturing experiences, with the aim of increasing interest in medicine and science among children, who will be the leaders of society in the future.

Participating "Career Challenge Day On-line Meets": On-line Career Education for Junior High School Students

Since 2020, Sumitomo Pharma has participated in the on-line career education program "Career Challenge Day On-line Meets" provided by CAREERLINK Co., Ltd. for junior high school students.
Our lessons have Sumitomo Pharma young researchers as lectures who explain mainly their own work in the area of drug discovery research.
Going forward, Sumitomo Pharma will continue to engage in activities that increase interest in science and medicine among children who will shoulder the society of the future, with the aim of fostering a next generation who will work together to create a healthy and prosperous society for people.

Lessons Involving Comprehensive Inquiry into Life and Ethics

Since 2012, Sumitomo Pharma has been providing on-site lessons at junior and senior high schools with employees as instructors. To date, they have been given at more than 160 junior and senior high schools for over 14,000 students.
Since 2020, they have been conducted according to our own program at senior high schools to have students think for themselves about issues that lie ahead in advances made in science and technology in the areas of genome analysis and heredity. The program aims to cultivate students' ability to address difficult questions about life and ethics, for which there are no correct answers, by encouraging them to develop their own views and reach their own conclusions, while accepting the different opinions of others (diversity). It can be implemented not only for biology lessons but also for integrated studies and lessons on society (contemporary society) and has received high praise from teachers at schools where it has been provided.
This education program won the Award of Excellence in the 13th Career Education Award (large enterprise category) organized by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI).

For reports on each lesson, please see "Activity Reports."

 

Education on Medicines through the SUKOYAKA Compass on Our Website

Since fiscal 2012, Sumitomo Pharma has published SUKOYAKA Compass (in Japanese only) as a part of its website aimed at children who will be forging the future and their families.
Through SUKOYAKA Compass, there is substantial content, from a description of research and development of the cutting-edge medicines using iPS cells to the specific work of pharmaceutical companies, how to use medicines, how to independent research on medicines, and the latest topics such as an explanation of the SDGs and SDGs initiatives by junior and senior high school student. We hope that SUKOYAKA Compass will help children develop an interest in medicines and learn the importance of understanding and using medicines correctly.

Support for Local Communities and Disaster Relief

In our efforts to enhance society's sustainability, we actively engage in activities that address local needs, including providing support for social issues and disaster relief.

Support for Local Communities

Providing Cocowork Vegetables to Children's Community Cafeterias

We are working on providing vegetables grown by our special subsidiary, Cocowork Co. Ltd. (hereafter referred to as "Cocowork") to community children's cafeterias (in Toyonaka City and Suita City).
Children's cafeterias are held for the purpose of preventing children from eating alone and creating a safe and comfortable place for them in the community, however, in reality, many children's cafeterias struggle to secure food because they provide meals on a limited budget. Through the provision of Cocowork's nutritious vegetables, we aspire to support the healthy development of children and introduce them the joys and deliciousness of fresh produce, especially those who may dislike vegetables.

Environmental Conservation Activities

Given the importance of having proactive communication with the local communities in which we operate, we organize cleanup and environment protection activities at our major business establishments.
For more details, please see "Activity Reports."

Support for Disaster Relief

We provide support tailored to local needs and circumstances in response to various disasters, pandemics, and other events occurring around the world.

Major Disaster Relief Efforts (Past 10 Years)

• 2024 Donation of health management equipment, such as weight scales, blood pressure monitors, and thermometers used in clinical studies, to the areas affected by the 2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake
• 2024 Donation of relief funds for the damage caused by the Taiwan Earthquake
• 2024 Donation of relief funds for the damage caused by the Noto Peninsula Earthquake
• 2023 Donations of relief funds for the damage caused by the Turkey and Syria Earthquake
• 2022 Provision of material assistance to Ukraine
• 2020 Donations of relief funds for the heavy rain disaster of July 2020
• 2019 Donations of relief funds for the damage caused by Typhoon Hagibis
• 2018 Donations of relief funds for the damage caused by the Hokkaido Eastern Iburi Earthquake
• 2018 Donations of relief funds for the heavy rain disaster of July 2018
• 2018 Donations of relief funds for damage caused earthquake with the epicenter in northern Osaka Prefecture
• 2017 Donation of relief funds for the heavy rain disaster in northern Kyushu
• 2016 Donations of relief funds for the Kumamoto Earthquake
• 2014 Support for the "Reconstruction Support Internship" project, an initiative aimed at assisting the reconstruction efforts after the Great East Japan Earthquake

Support for preventing the spread of COVID-19

For details about support for COVID-19 countermeasures and other efforts, please see "Our Efforts Against the Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)."

Support for areas affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake

Since the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011, we have remained dedicated to ensuring that the memories of this disaster are not forgotten.
In December 2023, we held the "Sanriku and Joban Food Support Marche" at our Osaka Head Office. This event aimed to promote the purchase, consumption, and support of delicious foods from the six Tohoku prefectures, including Sanriku and Joban seafood products.