Evonik and Japanese pharmaceutical trading company Higuchi are joining forces to open a new “Open Pharma Lab” in Yokohama, Japan, strengthening their push into next-generation oral drug formulation technologies.
Set to open on May 1, the facility will give local formulators hands-on access to Evonik’s EUDRAGIT polymers along with broader formulation and system-solutions expertise. The goal: faster development of robust, patient-centric oral dosage forms in a market increasingly demanding precision and performance.
“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.
EUDRAGIT polymers remain a cornerstone technology in oral drug delivery, widely used for their versatility, regulatory acceptance, and ability to finely tune drug release profiles.
Combined with Evonik’s formulation science and application expertise, the system is designed to help pharmaceutical companies tackle increasingly complex development challenges more efficiently.
The Open Pharma Lab also marks an expansion of Evonik’s regional innovation footprint across Asia, building on its long-standing presence in Japan. The facility will offer collaborative formulation support, tailored technical services, and access to global drug delivery know-how—aimed at shortening development timelines and improving product outcomes.
“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.
