Rohto Pharmaceutical Accelerates Social Implementation of 'Longevity' Science Based on Cell Research

Rohto Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Osaka; President: Hidetoshi Segi) has expanded its business and R&D since its founding by addressing the changes in society and individuals, centered on 'health'. By connecting knowledge in regenerative medicine, skincare, oral supplements, and food, the company will accelerate the social implementation of 'Longevity' science based on its long-cultivated cell science.

As the first phase, the company will sequentially deploy 'Phyto-exosome' technology, derived from plants, microorganisms, and algae, into its core skincare brands: 'Hada Labo', 'Melano CC', and 'Obagi'. By implementing this as a foundational technology spanning its brand groups rather than just individual products, the company aims to deliver advanced 'Longevity' science as a relatable value to more customers.

In recent years, as domains such as health, medicine, beauty, food, and technology converge and the extension of healthy life expectancy becomes a key social theme, the company is integrating its accumulated business and R&D into the 'Longevity' domain for social implementation.

■ Rohto Pharmaceutical's Longevity rooted in 'Cell Research'

For Rohto Pharmaceutical, 'Longevity' does not simply mean extending lifespan, but enabling people to live long, healthy, and youthful lives. Supporting this state requires homeostasis—the ability of bodies, organs, and cells to remain in harmony. Rohto's longevity research starts with 'cell research' to scientifically understand the mechanisms of homeostasis maintenance and reveal how to preserve a healthy, youthful state.

In the era of the 100-year life, living healthily is not only an individual wish but also a challenge linked to the vitality of families, communities, and society. Having accumulated expertise over many years through cell research in areas ranging from gastrointestinal drugs, eye drops, and skincare to oral supplements, food, medicine, and regenerative medicine, the company has been able to decipher the mechanisms supporting a healthy, youthful state through science. The company considers it its mission to implement the knowledge gained through such research into society in forms that reach consumers, such as products and services.

■ Phyto-exosome technology deployed in core skincare brands

In addition to the cell science cultivated in the medical field, Rohto has long explored the power of plants, microorganisms, and algae, including extracts and herbal medicines. To further develop this knowledge and scientifically elucidate the potential of the life information contained in plants and algae, the company established the 'Phyto Science Research Institute' in 2025. As its core technology, it is advancing research on 'Phyto-exosomes', focusing on extracellular vesicles derived from plants, microorganisms, and algae.

Phyto-exosomes represent a new research domain that connects Rohto's accumulated cell science with the diverse potential of plants, microorganisms, and algae. The company positions this as a vital technology to transform 'Longevity' science into value that reaches consumers.

As the first step, this technology will be deployed in the 'Hada Labo', 'Melano CC', and 'Obagi' brands. To make advanced 'Longevity' science accessible in daily life, it will be rolled out widely, from high-end and clinic-channel brands to mass-market brands.

■ Towards the medium-to-long term

This new direction of becoming a 'company that promotes and realizes Longevity' is not about launching a standalone new business; it is a policy to enhance existing business value and strengthen the foundation for medium-to-long-term growth by leveraging the cell research and business foundations built since the company's founding. Looking ahead, Rohto aims to gradually expand value provision centered on Longevity from skincare to medicine, oral supplements, and food.

Under the slogan 'Connect for Well-being & Longevity', Rohto will deploy its Japan-originated 'Longevity' science, based on cell research, to society and the world, contributing long-term to people's healthy lives.