EPS Corporation
Mastering the Art of Global Business Expansion

Japan is home to the third-largest pharmaceutical market in the world. By 2029, the market value of new drugs and patented products in the country is projected to reach approximately 8.5 trillion yen, with a growth rate of 10.7 to 11.7 percent. Japan’s cancer therapeutic market alone is projected to nearly double and reach a value of USD 21.6 billion by 2032, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.7 percent during this period.

With its advanced systems, supportive research environment and highly skilled workforce, Japan presents massive opportunities for global pharmaceutical and medical device companies to drive innovation through clinical research and evidence-based studies. However, expanding into this market requires more than innovation; it involves navigating the nuances of the country’s regulatory frameworks, clinical trial planning and patient registration. Its customs, cultural practices and language add another dimension to this process, making it quintessential for businesses to partner with experts with deep local knowledge and connections.

EPS Corporation plays a pivotal role in bridging these gaps, simplifying the complexities of Japan’s pharmaceutical landscape for international pharmaceutical and biotech companies attempting to enter the market. It provides end-to-end support services to help clients develop drug and medical devices efficiently and cost-effectively. Its expertise spans various therapeutic areas, with one-third of its services in oncology. As the core contract research organization (CRO) of EPS Group, the company also offers expertise in regulatory consulting, drug pricing strategies and key opinion leader (KOL) networking.

“We support the development and expansion of clients’ businesses while driving value creation in the diverse pharmaceutical and medical domains,” says Noriyuki Takai, board member, executive corporate officer and head of the comprehensive planning office.

EPS is a critical link for clients navigating Japan’s regulatory and academic ecosystem, connecting them with the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA), the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) and top academic institutions. With over 120 PMDA consultations and more than 220 successful medical device submissions, EPS has mastered the art of helping foreign companies overcome cultural and linguistic barriers to drive innovation in drug and medical device development.

EPS stands out because of its deep local expertise and strong support network. Its real-world data science department is key, with experts who develop protocols to generate new evidence and solve tough research challenges. This capability allows EPS to develop solutions that address both the specificities of the Japanese market and broader global regulatory needs.

Beyond clinical trials, EPS enhances post-marketing research, focusing on continued efficacy and safety. Its patient-centric approach is vital, integrating accurate insights from patients, healthcare professionals and physicians into product development. This ensures products are not just compliant—they make a real-world impact.

EPS also partners with patient associations through its patient and public involvement (PPI) services, ensuring client strategies align with regulatory standards and patient needs. In a fast-evolving industry, EPS delivers value from start to finish.

Simplifying Market Entry with Strategic Alliances

EPS Group operates across Japan, China, South Korea and Taiwan, supporting research across APAC and the U.S. Through strategic partnerships, it helps overseas companies navigate market entry into Japan’s lucrative market.

A key collaboration is with Bushu Pharmaceutical and the Suzuken Group, creating a one-stop service delivery model. Bushu brings its contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) capabilities, while EPS Group contributes expertise as a CRO, site management organization (SMO) and contract sales organization (CSO). Suzuken Group complements these efforts with distribution and logistics services. Together, they form a robust framework, further strengthened by the J Entry Consortium, including Sanwa Kagaku, to support the development and commercialization of unapproved drugs in Japan.

To expand its global reach, EPS Group recently partnered with Frontage Laboratories, Inc., a U.S.-based CRO that operates a Phase I unit and laboratory with 160 beds. This collaboration supports early-stage clinical trials in the U.S. involving both Japanese and Western participants. It also accelerates clinical development and promotes Japan as a premier destination for late-stage trials. Operational since March 2024, this partnership aims to drive pharmaceutical innovation and reduce drug lag and loss.

Driving Innovation and Value with Customer-Centricity

Innovation is crucial for drug development but also requires clear communication, strategic planning and seamless collaboration. EPS upholds these principles by adopting a client-focused approach, deeply understanding each project’s unique goals and delivering tailored solutions. At its core, the company fosters a culture of value, support and reliability among its workforce and cherishes its connections with others. Such an operational practice not only enhances service delivery but also strengthens its ability to build long-term relationships with clients.

Global project managers serve as central points of contact, ensuring smooth communication and alignment across teams and stakeholders worldwide. This approach allows EPS to gather valuable insights beyond clinical development, enriching research and improving therapeutic outcomes.

A prime example of this practice is a project that improved data quality, project timelines and transparency while significantly reducing the client’s patient journey creation time by 20 percent through the use of templated report forms. At the same time, setting clear KPIs for individual case safety reports (ICSRs) and implementing regular reviews visualized quality as well as standardized data handling and project management. Additionally, visualization and aggregation tools were introduced to refine study designs and deliver results faster.

These stories showcase EPS’s ability to provide targeted solutions that resolve complex challenges while generating multifaceted benefits for clients. Looking ahead, EPS—short for ‘Ever Progressing System’—will continue to advance collaborative research and foster patient-focused solutions across the global pharmaceutical landscape.

Takai concludes, “We will enhance our expertise and service quality to create a sustainable growth model that benefits everyone in the industry.”