Our Journey

1883

  • Founded as Hayashibara Shoten (a starch syrup manufacturer) in Okayama, Japan.

1932

  • Hayashibara Shoten was incorporated on July 10.

1935

  • Developed the two-step (acid and malt) starch-conversion method for starch syrup production.

1936

  • Increased daily output of starch syrup to 40 metric tons.

1943

  • The company's name was changed from Hayashibara Shoten to Hayashibara Co., Ltd.

1945

  • Entire factory destroyed by an air raid.

1946

  • Rebuilt factory and resumed operations.

1947

  • Established Japanese Research Institute for Photosensitizing Dyes Co., Ltd.

1950

  • Increased the daily output of syrup to 150 metric tons, making Hayashibara the largest starch syrup manufacturer in Japan.

1951

  • Japanese Research Institute for Photosensitizing Dyes Co., Ltd. launched pharmaceutical products LUMIN™ A-50 γ tablet and LUMIN™ A-100 γ tablet containing a photosensitizing dye as an active ingredient.

1959

  • Industrialized the enzymatic production method of glucose from starch.

1960

  • Constructed a new factory in Okayama, Japan to process 180 metric tons of glucose daily.

1962

  • Established Hayashibara Shoji, Inc. (Trading Company) for expanding sales of starch syrup and glucose.

1965

  • Developed the enzymatic saccharification method for maltose.

1967

  • Discovered Isoamylase, a debranching enzyme that acts on the branching parts of starch molecules (amylopectin).

1968

  • Developed the production method for high purity maltose (not less than 99%).
  • Developed the production method for maltitol and licensed it to Anic S.p.A. in 1979.

1969

  • Developed the production method for glycosylsucrose syrup incorporating the characteristics of sucrose with other properties.

1970

  • Established Hayashibara Biochemical Laboratories, Inc.

1971

  • Developed the production method for cyclodextrin (licensed it to Ensuiko Sugar Refining Co., Ltd. in 1987 and to Novo Nordisk in 1998).

1972

  • Developed the production method for pullulan, a polysaccharide thickener and edible film matrix.

1974

  • Completed Okayama Plant II in Okayama, Japan.
  • Launched SUNMALT™, food grade maltose powder.

1976

  • Began manufacturing PULLULAN in a new production facility at Okayama Plant II.

1977

  • Developed the production method for glucosyl stevia (licensed it to Toyo Sugar Refining Co., Ltd. in 1979 and to Sanyo-Kokusaku Pulp Co., Ltd. in 1982).

1978

  • Developed the in vivo proliferation method using human cells for the industrial-scale manufacturing of bioactive substances.

1979

  • Developed the production method for lactosucrose, an oligosaccharide with unique characteristics.

1981

  • Completed Fujisaki Institute in Okayama, Japan.
  • Developed the production method for anhydrous crystalline maltitol (licensed it to Towa Chemical Industry Co., Ltd. and Anic S.p.A. in 1982 and to Roquette Frères in 1992).

1983

  • The Company marked its 100th anniversary.

1985

  • Completed Fujisaki Cell Center in Okayama, Japan.

1987

  • Developed the production method for maltotetraose,a starch syrup with pleasant sweetness and reduced off-notes.
  • Completed Kibi Pharmaceutical Plant & Institute in Okayama, Japan.

1988

  • Was approved to produce bulk interferon-α, and the interferon-α as a therapeutic drug.
  • Commercial products were launched by Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. and Mochida Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
  • Japanese Research Institute for Photosensitizing Dyes Co., Ltd. completed Fujita Plant in Okayama, Japan.
  • Their Imperial Highnesses the Crown Prince Akihito and the Crown Princess Michiko (presently the Emperor Emeritus and the Empress Emeritus of Japan) honored Kibi Pharmaceutical Plant with a royal visit.

1989

  • Developed the production method for ascorbic acid 2-glucoside, a stable vitamin C.
  • Developed the production method for glucosyl hesperidin, a citrus-derived polyphenol.
  • Developed the production method for glucosyl rutin and licensed it to Toyo Sugar Refining Co., Ltd.

1993

  • Was approved for the extended application of interferon-α drug, OIF, to treat hepatitis B. The commercial product launched by Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
  • Developed the production method for maltosyltrehalose, a carbohydrate with low reducing potential.

1994

  • Developed the production method for trehalose from starch.

1995

  • Discovered Interleukin-18 (IL-18), a new bioactive substance.
  • Launched TREHA™, a high purity trehalose.
  • Launched AA2G™, a stable vitamin C for cosmetic use.

1997

  • Won a patent dispute on biotechnology patent with Roche, a company based in Switzerland.
  • Entered into an exclusive supply contract with the U.S. firm Warner-Lambert Company to supply PULLULAN for use in a breath freshening film.
  • Japanese Research Institute for Photosensitizing Dyes Co., Ltd. completed Fujita Pharmaceutical Plant in Okayama, Japan.

1999

  • Merged Japanese Research Institute for Photosensitizing Dyes Co. and other companies into Hayashibara Biochemical Labs., Inc.