Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. is a Japanese pharmaceutical company headquartered in Osaka, Japan, with a focus on oncology, immunology, and neuroscience research and development. Founded in 1919, Ono has become one of Japan's leading innovative pharmaceutical companies.
Ono Pharmaceutical has evolved into a major Japanese drug developer with significant partnerships with global pharmaceutical companies. The company operates research facilities in Japan and maintains collaborations with leading academic institutions worldwide[1].
Ono was founded in 1919 as a small pharmacy in Osaka, originally focusing on manufacturing and selling pharmaceutical products.
Ono and BMS have a significant partnership centered on Opdivo (nivolumab):
| Drug Candidate | Target | Indication | Stage |
|---|---|---|---|
| ONO-4474 | TREM2](/proteins/trem2) | Alzheimer's disease | Phase 1 |
| ONO-4686 | Tau | Alzheimer's disease | Preclinical |
| ONO-8809 | Undisclosed | CNS disorders | Phase 1 |
| ONO-2910 | Undisclosed | Migraine | Phase 2 |
| Drug Candidate | Target | Indication | Stage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opdivo (Nivolumab) | PD-1 | Multiple cancers | Approved |
| Yervoy (Ipilimumab) | CTLA-4 | Melanoma, others | Approved |
| ONO-4538 | PD-1 | Various tumors | Approved |
| ONO-7914 | LAG-3 | Solid tumors | Phase 1 |
Ono's neuroscience pipeline includes significant programs for neurodegenerative diseases[3]:
ONO-4474 represents a novel approach targeting microglia:
ONO-4686 targets tau protein pathology:
The company previously developed BACE1 inhibitors for Alzheimer's disease:
Ono has built expertise in therapeutic antibody development:
Japan: Headquarters and primary market
US: Clinical development operations
Europe: Research partnerships
Asia: Regional partnerships in Korea and Taiwan
Opdivo
Ono Corporate Overview. Annual Report. ↩︎
Opdivo Development. Nature Reviews Drug Discovery. 2016. ↩︎
Ono Neuroscience Pipeline. R&D Presentation. ↩︎
BACE Inhibitor Challenges. Alzheimer's & Dementia. ↩︎