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Kissei’s Materiality

Based on its Management Philosophy, which is to “contribute to society through high-quality, innovative pharmaceutical products” and “serve society through its employees,” Kissei Pharmaceutical is working to achieve sustainability in terms of society and preserving the earth’s environment through its business activities in line with its promotion of ESG and the SDGs, one of the basic policies of its five-year medium-term management plan “PEGASUS.”
As part of these efforts, we identified important issues (materiality) requiring a priority response from the perspectives of relevance to our business and impact on our stakeholders, set KPIs for each materiality, and are promoting various activities to achieve them.

Identifying Material Issues and Setting KPIs

  • STEP1

    Identify social and internal issues, making reference to international guidelines*

  • STEP2

    Have the heads of 35 departments prioritize the issues via an in-Company survey after receiving SDG training

  • STEP3

    Narrow down the number of priority issues through dialogues with external experts regarding the survey results

  • STEP4

    Have the Sustainability Promotion Committee and the Board of Directors identify material issues, set KPIs, and promote activities

  • STEP5

    Formulate new medium-term management plans and revise material issues based on changes in the business environment and constructive dialogues with stakeholders

* SDGs, SASB Standards, GRI Standards, Access to Medicine Index.

Identifying 7 Categories and 15 Material Issues

Kissei identifies material issues by narrowing down issues that need to be addressed to realize a sustainable society according to two axes—relevance to the Company’s business (the medium-term-management plan, etc.) and the degree of impact on stakeholders. The most important issues are identified as material issues.
We have classified these material issues according to their relevance to one of seven categories. Three of these categories—“development and provision of products useful to society” “steady supply of high-quality products” and “communication with medical professionals and patients”—are related to business activities. The remaining four categories are related to Kissei’s management base, which supports the aforementioned activities. These categories are “strengthening and enhancement of governance” “creation of a fulfilling workplace environment” “environmental initiatives,” aimed at making the earth’s environment sustainable and “social contribution as a good corporate citizen,” which centers on social development in the local area of Nagano where Kissei’s head office is situated.

Based on these seven material categories, the Sustainability Promotion Committee drafted a list of material issues, which were then deliberated by the Board of Directors, resulting in the final identification of 15 material issues.

【Category】

Kissei’s 15 Material Issues

Kissei’s sustainability activities are managed based on the following 15 material issues, with progress managed based on initiatives and KPIs discussed by each department and determined by the Board of Directors.

> KPIs and FY2023 results【PDF/328kb】

Material issues related to business activities

① Development of innovative products (drugs, foods)
We contribute to the health and medical care of people around the world by providing ethical drugs and other high-quality, innovative pharmaceutical products developed by the Company or through partnerships.

Key initiatives KPIs
Drug discovery initiatives and promotion of clinical development projects Number of items in the research and development pipeline and progress
Number of NDAs submitted/ number of NDAs approved
Promotion of licensing activities and overseas development Number of countries where new drugs are launched via partnering
Number of products and number of countries where they are launched
Development of therapeutic and care foods Number of new therapeutic and care food products launched

②Contribution to scientific technology
We contribute toward better health and welfare by making patents and dissertations for innovative technology created through pharmaceutical research, and by open innovation with academic institutions and other entities.

Key initiatives KPIs
Joint research with academia and other pharmaceutical companies
Participation in consortiums sponsored by the Japan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association
Progress of open innovation
Donation to the Kanzawa Medical Research Foundation for provision of research grants Continued provision of research grants

①Quality control and steady supply and procurement
We build manufacturing and quality control systems that comply with the latest laws, regulations, and guidelines, procure environmentally friendly materials, and work to provide a steady supply of products in recognition of the fact that our products are a part of people’s lives.

Key initiatives KPIs
Formulation and implementation of the “Stable Supply Manual”
COVID-19-related countermeasures
Implementation of the Kissei Pharmaceutical Quality System
Implementation of management review and improvement to instructions
Number of months of inventory (by product)
Progress toward developing a system to ensure a steady supply of high-quality pharmaceutical products
・Regular review of the “Stable Supply Manual”
・Continuous capital investment to ensure stable production
・Implementation of rank-based training at plants
・Implementation of regular assessment of procurement risks for each raw material and product
Product recalls
・Zero recalls of pharmaceutical products
・Complaint rate of 7.0 ppm (parts per million) or less for food products

①Promote proper product usage (drugs, foods)
We provide accurate information backed by science, understanding that offering proper information and promoting proper usage is essential for demonstrating the maximum value of our products.

Key initiatives KPIs
Creation of a sales system for rare disease treatments Progress of activities for the Rare Diseases Project
Promotion of activities to provide appropriate medical information
Number of products introducing "AI Detail"
Immediate provision of safety information via the safety information provision system
Provision of appropriate science-based information (zero instances of inappropriate provision of information that led to serious improper use or misuse)
Construction of an efficient and effective system to provide information utilizing digital tools

②Improvement customer satisfaction and patient support
We contribute to medical treatment by offering the solutions that medical professionals and patients really need.

Key initiatives KPIs
Operation of the medicine consultation window Provision of information from the patient’s perspective
Operation of a patient-oriented website Website production from the patient’s perspective

Material issues related to management base

①Strengthening governance
We have positioned strengthening corporate governance as an important management issue for the continued improvement of corporate value, and we are working to create a system that can address changes inside and outside the Company quickly and flexibly.

Key initiatives KPIs
Formulation and implementation of the Kissei Basic Policy on Corporate Governance Appropriate responses to Japan’s revised Corporate Governance Code
Appointment of a female director
Increase in the number of outside directors
Introduction of executive officer system
Improvement of Board of Directors’ functions through dialogue with stakeholders and evaluations of the effectiveness of the Board of Directors

②Risk management
We promote the smooth execution of corporate activities by properly managing risks that may hinder the realization of our Management Philosophy and the completion of our management plans and mounting an appropriate response to any risks that manifest.

Key initiatives KPIs
Creation of a risk management system Appropriate review of risk management items and examination and implementation of appropriate countermeasures
Development and update of disaster and pandemic countermeasures Development and operation of business continuity management (BCM) and business continuity plans (BCPs)

③Compliance
We practice compliance when conducting corporate activities, understanding that this is fundamental to the sound development of the Company and earning stakeholder trust.

Key initiatives KPIs
Implementation of compliance program Number of times compliance training was implemented (once every six months or more for each division)
Implementation of compliance questionnaire (response rate of 95% or higher)
Establishment of a whistleblowing and consultation system (Kissei Hotline) Number of major compliance violations (zero incidents)
Consideration given to animal welfare when conducting experimentation on animals Status of company initiatives related to experimentation on animals

①Human resource cultivation
We respect the individuality of each employee and provide a variety of opportunities for employees to develop their skills, focusing on individual abilities and aptitudes in an effort to develop human resources who can contribute to the development of the Company and society.

Key initiatives KPIs
Implementation of rank-based training and job specific education Implementation of rank-based training and job specific education
Implementation of DX-based education for human resource development
Support for self-development Rate of participation in correspondence courses
Establishment of an interview system for skill and career development Implementation of interview system for skill and career development

②Diversity and gender equality
We are striving to improve the Company’s working environment in terms of hiring practices, working styles, our human resource system, and other aspects to ensure that a wide range of employees can demonstrate a variety of abilities, based on the idea that when employees with different modes of thinking and value systems can recognize and inspire each other, they can add dynamism and creativity to a company.

Key initiatives KPIs
Initiatives to cultivate the next generation (Platinum Kurumin, etc.) Percentage of female employees who take childcare leave (75% or higher annually, in line with Platinum Kurumin certification standard)
Percentage of male employees who take childcare leave (30% or higher annually, in line with Platinum Kurumin certification standard)
Initiatives to promote the success of women Ratio of average length of employment for female employees to average length of employment for male employees (70% or higher)
Prevention of discrimination and harassment Harassment prevention training
Recruitment of people with disabilities Recruitment of people with disabilities (2.3% or higher)

③Enhancement of workplace environment
We will create a worthwhile workplace environment that gives employees a strong sense of motivation as workstyle reforms and the response to COVID-19 bring major changes to working conditions.

Key initiatives KPIs
Recognition under the Certified Health & Productivity Management Outstanding Organizations Recognition Program (Large Enterprise Category)
Promotion of work–life balance
Recognition under the Certified Health & Productivity Management Outstanding Organizations Recognition Program
Percentage of employees who took stress checks
Percentage of employees who use commemorative leave (100% per year)
Occupational health and safety initiatives and maintaining employee health Number of work-related accidents

①Waste management and resource recycling
We work to promote the conservation of a sustainable environment through the effective use of resources, preventing pollution and reducing environmental impact.

Key initiatives KPIs
Maintenance of environmental management systems ISO14001 recertification and maintenance
Implementation of environment conservation activities Waste reduction, improvement of recycling rate, and final disposal rate reduction (improve rate 1% every fiscal year)
Priority purchasing of green products Improvement of ratio of green products purchased

②Initiatives toward biodiversity
We take care to ensure that our business activities do not adversely affect biodiversity and ecosystems and take action accordingly.

Key initiatives KPIs
Proper management of research and clinical trials that involve genetically modified organisms Implementation status of proper research and clinical trials based on internal regulations, procedure manuals, and other guidance
Appropriate management of chemical substances Appropriate management of hazardous chemical substances (including PRTR-listed substances)
Continued drainage in line with water quality management standards

③Climate change countermeasures
We promote environmental management that acknowledges that climate change is a risk factor, with the goal of sustainable growth for society and the Company, and in accordance with Japan’s Carbon Neutrality Declaration.

Key initiatives KPIs
Continued reduction of CO2 emissions
Promotion of energy-saving measures and climate change countermeasures
Reduction of CO2 emissions
• fiscal 2030 target: 46% reduction compared with fiscal 2013 (Scope 1 and 2)
Rate of renewable energy utilization
• fiscal 2030 target: 74% or more of total electricity consumption
Assessment of risks and opportunities associated with climate change

①Participate in social contribution activities
We contribute to the sustainable development of society as a fundamental/ essential part of our corporate activities. Moreover, we actively participate in social contribution activities and endeavor to realize our Management Philosophy as a corporate citizen and a member of society.

Key initiatives KPIs
Contribution to culture, the arts, and sports
Donations to child welfare facilities and relief for natural disasters
Number of sponsorships and donations that contribute to society and local communities
Participation in local cleanup activities and offering of factory and research institute tours Number of social contribution activities by region