Santen establishes subsidiary in United Kingdom

Santen Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Osaka, Japan) (Santen) announced the establishment of a wholly owned subsidiary in The United Kingdom (UK) to serve customers and patients in the UK and Ireland.

Following the acquisition of MSD’s (known as Merck & Co., Inc. in the U.S.A and Canada) Glaucoma franchise, Santen has now launched UK subsidiary to promote products such as SAFLUTAN® and COSOPT®.  

As a specialty company dedicated to ophthalmology for over 120 years, Santen has established franchise focusing on glaucoma and dry eye and develops innovative products in both indications to satisfy unmet medical needs and to improve patient’s quality of life. Thanks to MSD’s transaction in ophthalmology, Santen has strengthened its lineup of glaucoma products as it expands its footprint in Europe. With long term presence in Germany, North Europe, Central and East Europe, and more recently in France and Italy, Santen UK adds another key step towards the expansion of Santen into the rest of Europe.    

“I am delighted to join Santen” says Craig Wallace, General Manager for UK and Ireland and adds: “Santen has a long and distinguished history in ophthalmology and we look forward to building strong relationships with renowned key opinion leaders in ophthalmology in the UK and Ireland. The creation of the UK and Ireland business reinforces Santen’s commitment to provide ophthalmologists and patients with innovative products to manage important chronic eye diseases like glaucoma and dry eye.”  

Craig Wallace has worked in the pharmaceutical industry in the UK and Ireland for over 20 years, having held several senior director positions and has prior experience in ophthalmology.  

“The establishment of our own subsidiary in the UK is an important step in achieving our long term corporate vision to become a specialised pharmaceutical company with a global presence”. Masamichi Sato, Head of Santen European Group and President of Santen Holding EU BV, adds: “This initiative will allow Santen to provide its complete portfolio of products throughout Europe to improve patients’ quality of life. The launch of commercial teams in other European countries such as Spain, Portugal or Benelux is expected within the next few months.”