CosMED Pharmaceutical Co-Founder Fumio Kamiyama Receives the Order of the Rising Sun, Silver Rays

CosMED Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. headquartered in Kyoto and led by President and Representative Director Youngsook Kwon announced that Fumio Kamiyama, the company’s co-founder and director/advisor, has received the Order of the Rising Sun, Silver Rays in the Spring 2026 Imperial Decorations. The decoration presentation ceremony and audience were held on Wednesday, May 13, 2026. The award recognizes Kamiyama’s long-standing work in developing original TTS, or transdermal therapeutic system, technology and his contributions to industry and healthcare through its social implementation. Fumio Kamiyama is a director/advisor at CosMED Pharmaceutical and holds a doctorate in engineering. Born on January 29, 1941, in Utsunomiya, Tochigi Prefecture, he is 85 years old. After graduating from Kyoto University’s Faculty of Science, Department of Chemistry, he completed a master’s program at the same university. In April 1965, he joined Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd., where he worked on the development of clinical testing systems. He contributed to the development and dissemination of automated HbA1c measurement devices, essential for diabetes diagnosis, and received the Science and Technology Agency Director-General’s Award in March 1983. After leaving Sekisui Chemical in September 1996, he served as a visiting professor at the Shanghai Institute of Pharmaceutical Industry in China and as a technical consultant for Strakan Pharmaceuticals in the United Kingdom and Pacific Pharmaceutical in South Korea. In May 2001, Kamiyama co-founded CosMED Pharmaceutical with Youngsook Kwon to conduct research and development specializing in TTS technology, which enables drugs to be absorbed through the skin. As a researcher, he applied an engineering perspective, and as a business leader, he demonstrated strong leadership while sincerely advancing businesses built on the company’s technological strengths. In March 2018, the company received recognition from the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry as one of the “300 Vibrant Small and Medium Enterprises and Small Businesses.” Kamiyama became representative director and chairman in September 2021 and assumed his current role as director/advisor in July 2025. Kamiyama promoted proprietary product development based on TTS technology and achieved notable results particularly in the field of microneedle technology. In 2008, he successfully developed dissolving microneedles and launched microneedle cosmetics ahead of the rest of the world, creating a new market. The technology made it possible to efficiently deliver macromolecular ingredients through the skin, something previously achievable only by injection, offering new value in the beauty and wellness fields. He has also worked on applications in medical and pharmaceutical fields, including vaccine delivery technology and sustained-release formulations, expanding the technology’s social value. As an SME executive, he built a distinctive business model combining long-term pharmaceutical development with beauty and wellness products that can be applied quickly, achieving sustained growth. In his comment, Kamiyama said that when he first heard he had been selected for the spring decoration, he honestly felt bewildered because it seemed so far removed from everyday life. When he asked what aspect of his work had been recognized, he was told it was the Order of the Rising Sun, Silver Rays for contributions to the promotion of small and medium-sized enterprises. Hearing that, he felt convinced that he should accept it with gratitude. He noted that CosMED Pharmaceutical was founded by a small group including himself and current president Kwon. However, the company’s growth to annual sales of around 3 billion yen was made possible by the intellect and hard work of many people, centered on its roughly 200 employees. He said he came to feel that the decoration was being given to all employees and that he was receiving it as their representative. He expressed renewed gratitude to all employees and to the families who support them. Kamiyama added that even after turning 85, unexpected things can still happen. While he still has energy left, he hopes to continue pursuing technologies that benefit society. CosMED Pharmaceutical is a Kyoto Pharmaceutical University-originated venture company specializing in research and development for TTS technology. With microneedles and patches established as its core technologies, the company operates in the medical, pharmaceutical, beauty, and wellness fields. Based in Kyoto, where tradition and innovation coexist, it pursues original manufacturing and provides products and services that exceed customers’ expectations. Company name: CosMED Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. Head office: GRAND KYOTO 3F, 75 Nishikujo Higashihieijocho, Minami-ku, Kyoto 601-8438, Japan. Representative: President and Representative Director Youngsook Kwon. Established: May 30, 2001. Corporate website: https://cosmed-pharm.co.jp. Source: Journal of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, published by the Academy of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Japan.