Employee Introduction
Persevere through each test, one by one.
Daily challenges on the forefront support confidence in new drugs.
Researcher (Pharmacology)
2004—Entered the Company after completing studies in clinical pharmacy
As a biochemist, I work at the forefront of drug development research for diseases of the central nervous system.
When I was a student, I studied at a pharmacy school. I interacted with patients and medical staff through my practical training at hospitals and pharmacies and realized that just a single medicine can have the power to bring happiness to many people across the entire world. This realization became my motivation for seeking a job in drug development research. One large reason I chose Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma is the good impression that I got from the employees I interacted with during my job interview. I sensed a climate in which people are highly valued and felt that I would definitely want to try working for this company. Another reason is that they have created an environment that allows women to be active participants.
Since I entered the company, I have mainly worked in fields involving metabolic diseases and neurological disorders. In addition to basic research, I have also participated in research related to in vitro evaluation aimed at quickly discovering chemical compounds with high levels of clinical predictability. Recently, as an extension of this research, I have been involved with project promotion in the Pharmacology Department, which specializes in neurological disorders.
Drug development research is conducted by researchers from various fields who come together as one team and discuss their findings with one another. Of course, we face many difficult problems when working at the forefront of research. However, I believe that the ability to face these daily challenges is what gives this job its appeal and that solving these problems one by one leads to the creation of new drugs. Engaging in basic research aimed at finding material for the next project while collaborating with experts from outside the company is also very exciting for a researcher.
I remember some advice I received from a superior that has really stuck with me; “start with what you don’t know and what you find difficult.” People have a tendency to prioritize what they already know and sometimes narrow their own possibilities as a result. I’ll never forget the advice that we should avoid this kind of mentality and always remember and be ready to take on new challenges.
I believe that we can create new drugs that will put smiles on patients’ faces if all employees, including those working in departments outside of drug development research, hold this attitude to be important and push forward in pursuit of common goals.
Participating in daily research while working diligently together with foreign and Japanese researchers is exciting.
Patients’ confidence in drug manufacturers cannot exist if we, as drug development researchers, do not produce reliable test results. Speed may be important in drug development research, but securing reliability is more important than anything else. For this reason, it is crucial that researchers grow professionally each day and find the truth in the diverse points of view to which they are exposed through discussions with experts of various fields. In order to conduct these heavily detailed discussions, researchers must build trusting relationships with one another. We are working to understand each other by also speaking together outside of areas in which we conduct research. I feel a great sense of fulfillment when we are able to achieve the results we sought while working together based on these trusting relationships.
Participating in daily research while working diligently together with a variety of researchers is exciting. I have many opportunities to announce results at domestic and international academic conferences and have both had my results recognized by leading educators in the same fields and received cooperative research proposals. Being able to hold discussions shoulder-to-shoulder with researchers from throughout the world is a very valuable experience for a drug development researcher. I am currently promoting our cooperative research with educators from academia. Exchanging information concerning subjects such as diseases and the development of drug molecules, we are continuously striving to discover new findings.
Someday, I want to help develop a new drug and deliver it to patients all over the world.
Up until now, I have been involved in a great deal of drug development projects that were in their initial stages and have almost no experience participating in research involving new drugs that were actually placed on the market. Despite this, I participate in academic conferences and workshops and have the opportunity to hear directly that Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma’s medicines are contributing positively to patient treatment. Of course, I feel great joy when I hear things like this.
Currently, we are trying to discover original new drugs on the world stage. In order to continue pushing forward, it is important that we formulate drug development research strategies by securing new information and predicting future trends with the support of the network we have cultivated with international and domestic researchers. Recently, I am experiencing discussion expanding to clinical development and after launch, meaning beyond research as opportunities working with companies and research organization have increased. I dream of the day when new drugs that I helped create are delivered to patients throughout the world.
- Career step
- 2004 As a researcher, began participating in drug evaluation and basic research through the research department, as well as advanced medicine
2017 Received a doctorate in medicine
Currently utilizing her expertise to promote projects in the Pharmacology Department, which specializes in neurological diseases
* The affiliation and description in the article are those at the time of interview.
