Aiming to Be a Global Innovator Through Research and Development

Nihon Nohyaku is an R&D-driven agrochemical manufacturer that contributes to the development of agriculture around the world.
Research Division Manager, Nishimatsu, will explain Nihon Nohyaku’s research and development.

Tetsuyoshi Nishimatsu
Division Manager, Research Division

Accelerating Research and Development with Nihon Nohyaku’s Unique Strengths

For creating new agrochemicals, it is important to coordinate with three functions: “chemistry (organic synthesis, process chemistry, formulation research),” “biology (biological evaluation, mode of action research),” and “safety (mammalian toxicity, environmental safety research).” We have integrated these three fields into the “Research Center” in Kawachinagano-city, Osaka. We also jointly established the “Manufacturing Technology Research Center” to create a trinity system. In addition, we have brought together intellectual property-related departments and research planning/research administration departments to create a so-called “four-in-one” system.

We have also built a network with overseas Group companies that manage research and development globally, establishing a foundation for ourselves as a Global Innovator. Recently, we registered and launched a new rice plant hopper control agent, benzpyrimoxan (trade name: ORCHESTRA), almost simultaneously in Japan and India. This has given momentum to the development of products that meet the needs of rice cultivation sites in the monsoon regions of Asia. In addition, we are testing a new broadspectrum insecticide (development code: NNI-2101, ISO name: cybenzoxasulfyl) in new agrochemical practical tests conducted by the Japan Plant Protection Association. We are accumulating the effective test results necessary for agrochemical registration application.

Responding Flexibly to Changes in the Market Environment

We believe that our biggest challenge is responding to changes in the market environment both domestically and internationally. For example, in response to the global trend toward reducing the use of agrochemicals, we are actively promoting the introduction and development of nonchemical biopesticides and biostimulants (BS), i.e. crop aid products other than agrochemicals. We have begun sales of an anti-frost agent (trade name: FROST BUSTER) as a crop aid product, which utilizes the supercooling effect of ingredients derived from coffee grounds. We have also begun sales of a microbial inoculant (trade name: CROSS VALUE), which has the primary function of alleviating environmental stress as a biostimulant.

We are also focusing on research into animal health products and pharmaceuticals using the agrochemical discovery technology cultivated by Nihon Nohyaku thus far. We have begun joint research with ADEKA to discover new animal health products. Synergy effects have begun to appear, for instance the publication of a patent jointly filed by the two companies.

As a Driver for Further Growth

The four key themes for the Research & Development Division in the new medium-term management plan are: (1)Creation of new products, (2)Market development for existing active ingredients developed in-house, (3)Sales expansion and development of eco-harmonized products, and (4)Strengthening of research activities to create new business fields. I will introduce them in order.

(1) Creation of New Products
Our most important mission in the agrochemical field is to “create one new product every three years.” Therefore, leveraging the strengths of the aforementioned “four-in-one” system, we have set the pillars of our strategy as “strengthening open innovation,” “building a data-driven drug discovery system,” and “promoting simultaneous global development and registration.”

• Strengthening open innovation
  Nihon Nohyaku’s core competency is its research and development capabilities in the field of agrochemicals. As drug discovery becomes increasingly difficult, there is no doubt that open innovation that makes use of external resources as well as in-house resources will become essential. We plan to accelerate the introduction of diverse compound sources with the aim of exploring new compound skeletal formulas, as well as introduce cutting-edge technologies such as omics research and computational science. We also plan to further promote collaborative research with other companies and public institutions.
• Building a data-driven drug discovery system
  We are working to create a database of various research information and using computational science to discover new agrochemicals. We are also making steady progress in improving operational efficiency through operational reform activities. We will make maximum use of the IT literacy we have developed through our company-wide DX Promotion Project to improve the efficiency of research activities and promote open innovation. Meanwhile, with the broad participation of Group companies, we have also begun operating a system for globally managing and visualizing the progress of tasks related to chemistry, biology, and safety in the development of new products.
• Promoting simultaneous global development and registration

  In recent development research, we strengthened collaboration with related departments and overseas Group companies from an early stage in the search for new compounds. We firmly believe that these experiences and achievements will be a major driving force for efficient research and development in the future. Going forward, we plan to create an organizational structure that will allow us to carry out research and development on a more global scale. We will also develop and expand our research and development sites.

(2) Development of Markets for Existing Active Ingredients Developed In-house
We believe that there is significant room for further market development for our active ingredients in terms of target regions, crops, pests, and weeds. We will continue to conduct research that accurately captures market needs. Moreover, we will put greater efforts than ever before into the discovery and use of new physiological functions, which is something we believe to be a highlight in our Research & Development Division’s long history of achievements.

(3) Sales Expansion and Development of Eco-harmonized Products
The safety of agrochemical products is guaranteed through strict management under registration systems in each country and region. In response to the worldwide trend towards stricter registration requirements, Nihon Nohyaku has announced a policy of working harder than ever before to develop and sell environmentally friendly products. By setting our own cutoff criteria from the early stages of agrochemical research, we work on the discovery research with a strong focus on reducing environmental impact.

(4) Strengthening of Research Activities to Create New Business Fields
Recently, there has been a trend in Europe, the United States, and Japan to reduce the use of agrochemicals in food and agricultural policies. In response to this, we plan to strengthen the development of products in the biostimulant field and develop them into a pillar of the crop aid products field in the future. Through open innovation, we will also strengthen research in peripheral business fields such as pharmaceuticals and animal health products. Similarly, in the new business field of semi-fermentation technology development, we will accelerate concrete product development and commercialization.

By undertaking these diverse measures, the research and development related departments hope to contribute to the achievement of our corporate vision of becoming a “Global Innovator for Crop & Life.”