April 27, 2026

Evonik and Higuchi strengthen oral drug delivery innovation in Japan with new joint laboratory

New laboratory in Yokohama brings EUDRAGIT® polymers to local customers

Long-standing partnership between Evonik and Higuchi continues to advance innovation in Japan

Strengthening of Evonik’s regional innovation network across Asia

Evonik and Higuchi Inc., a leading Japanese trading company in the pharmaceutical sector, are opening a joint laboratory located in Yokohama, Japan. The “Open Pharma Lab” provides local formulators with hands‑on access to Evonik’s EUDRAGIT® polymers and broader system solutions expertise, supporting the growing demand for robust, patient‑centric oral dosage forms. The new lab – open from May 1 – also expands Evonik’s regional innovation network across Asia.

“We are delighted to deepen our long‑standing partnership with Higuchi and support the Japanese pharmaceutical industry with integrated system solutions built around EUDRAGIT®, one of the most trusted technologies in oral drug delivery. By bringing our complementary strengths together in the Open Pharma Lab, we aim to accelerate innovation and help customers advance their product development,” said Guido Skudlarek, head of the Health Care business line at Evonik.

From left to right: Goro Naito (President of Evonik Japan), Guido Skudlarek (Senior Vice President & General Manager Evonik Health Care), Wataru Ohama (President & CEO of Higuchi Inc.), Hirofumi Takeuchi (Professor at Gifu Pharmaceutical University)

EUDRAGIT® polymers are among the most established excipient technologies for oral drug delivery. Known for their versatility and regulatory acceptance, they enable precise control of release profiles while supporting the design of stable, patient‑friendly solid dosage forms. Evonik complements this portfolio with integrated system solutions that combine materials, formulation science and application know‑how, helping pharmaceutical companies solve complex development challenges more efficiently.

The Open Pharma Lab builds on Evonik’s long history in Japan by increasing the reach and accessibility of EUDRAGIT® polymers and services to customers in the region. Through collaborative formulation support, customer‑specific technical services and access to Evonik’s global drug delivery expertise, the new facility will help shorten development timelines and advance innovative oral drug products tailored to regional needs.

“The establishment of this joint lab with Evonik is an important step toward providing advanced technical support to our customers. By maximizing the potential of EUDRAGIT®, we aim to help drive innovation and contribute to the continued growth of Japan’s pharmaceutical market,” said Wataru Ohama, President & CEO of Higuchi Inc.

Evonik and Higuchi share a partnership that spans many decades, beginning with Higuchi’s early introduction of German methacrylate technologies to Japan. Their collaboration expanded further in the 1960s with the introduction of film coating excipients and today continues through joint technical initiatives such as the long-running EUDRAGIT® Seminar series. The new Open Pharma Lab builds on this foundation to support Japan’s formulation community with deeper, more accessible technical capabilities.

Evonik is a global partner for advanced drug‑delivery solutions, supported by a worldwide network of research, production and application development facilities. Recent investments include the Evonik India Research Hub in Mumbai, which reinforces regional formulation support, and a new aqueous dispersion drying facility for EUDRAGIT® polymers in Darmstadt to boost supply security and meet the rising demand for high‑quality excipients.

The Health Care business at Evonik is a leader in developing complex oral and parenteral drug products. It offers pharmaceutical excipients, formulation development, and clinical to commercial manufacturing. The business also operates as a CDMO for APIs and intermediates, and it continues to grow in areas such as lipid‑based mRNA and gene delivery, as well as cell culture solutions for biopharmaceuticals.

Further information:

More about Evonik's product & service portfolio for oral drug delivery

Contacts

Janusz Berger

Head of Market Communications Health Care

Spoken languages: german, english, polish

+49 173 6986099 Send email

Dr. Jürgen Krauter

Head of Market Communications

Spoken languages: german, english

+49 6181 59-6847 Send email

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