Evonik and Higuchi strengthen long-term collaboration with launch of Open Pharma Lab supporting drug development in Japan

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)

(IN BRIEF) Evonik and Higuchi Inc. have launched a new joint laboratory in Yokohama, Japan, to advance oral drug delivery innovation and support pharmaceutical companies with localized technical expertise. The Open Pharma Lab will provide access to Evonik’s EUDRAGIT® polymers and integrated formulation solutions, enabling faster and more efficient development of patient-centric medicines. The initiative strengthens the long-standing partnership between the two companies and expands Evonik’s regional innovation network in Asia. By combining global expertise with local capabilities, the facility is expected to drive innovation and support the growth of Japan’s pharmaceutical industry.

(PRESS RELEASE) ESSEN, 27-Apr-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — Evonik Industries and Higuchi Inc. have expanded their long-standing collaboration with the launch of a new joint laboratory in Yokohama, Japan, aimed at advancing innovation in oral drug delivery technologies.

The new facility, named the Open Pharma Lab and scheduled to open on 1 May, is designed to provide pharmaceutical formulators in Japan with direct access to Evonik’s EUDRAGIT® polymer technologies, along with integrated system solutions expertise. The initiative responds to growing demand for advanced, patient-focused oral dosage forms and reinforces Evonik’s innovation footprint across Asia.

Guido Skudlarek, head of Evonik’s Health Care business line, highlighted the strategic importance of the partnership, emphasizing that the combination of Evonik’s formulation expertise and Higuchi’s strong local presence will help accelerate product development and support customers in addressing complex pharmaceutical challenges.

EUDRAGIT® polymers are widely recognized excipients used in oral drug delivery, valued for their ability to precisely control drug release profiles and enhance the stability and usability of solid dosage forms. Evonik’s broader offering integrates materials science, formulation development, and application expertise, enabling pharmaceutical companies to develop more effective and patient-friendly treatments.

The Yokohama-based Open Pharma Lab will serve as a collaborative environment where customers can access technical support tailored to their needs, including formulation development services and insights from Evonik’s global drug delivery network. By providing localized expertise and hands-on capabilities, the facility is expected to streamline development processes and bring innovative therapies to market more efficiently.

Wataru Ohama, President and CEO of Higuchi Inc., described the joint laboratory as a significant step toward enhancing technical support for customers in Japan. He noted that leveraging the capabilities of EUDRAGIT® polymers will contribute to innovation and growth within the country’s pharmaceutical sector.

The partnership between Evonik and Higuchi spans several decades, originating with the introduction of German methacrylate technologies to the Japanese market. Over time, the collaboration has expanded to include a range of initiatives, such as the development of film coating excipients and the organization of technical seminars focused on EUDRAGIT® technologies.

The new laboratory builds on this established foundation and aligns with Evonik’s broader strategy of strengthening its global innovation network. Recent investments supporting this effort include the expansion of research capabilities in India and new production infrastructure in Germany aimed at meeting increasing demand for high-quality pharmaceutical excipients.

Evonik’s Health Care division plays a key role in developing complex drug delivery solutions, offering services ranging from excipient supply and formulation development to clinical and commercial manufacturing. The business is also expanding into advanced areas such as gene delivery systems and biopharmaceutical production technologies.

Media Contacts:

Janusz Berger
Head of Market Communications Health Care
Spoken languages: german, english, polish
+49 173 6986099
janusz.berger@evonik.com

Dr. Jürgen Krauter
Head of Market Communications
Spoken languages: german, english
+49 6181 59-6847
juergen.krauter@evonik.com

SOURCE: Evonik