The history of KAKETSUKEN vaccine production started with the smallpox vaccine over half a century ago. We have produced vaccines against typhoid, polio, and other diseases, contributing to the eradication of infectious diseases in Japan. Such traditional technologies have allowed us to develop a wide range of vaccines such as diphtheria pertussis tetanus (DPT), influenza, Japanese encephalitis, rubella, and mumps vaccines. Particularly, the DPT vaccine has enjoyed a high reputation as a component vaccine, to which large-scale culture and high-level refinement technologies jointly developed with Teijin Limited have been applied. Both vaccines against influenza and Japanese encephalitis are now shifting to the use of non-biological materials. This is a novel attempt taking into account the stable supply of materials and the smoothness of quality control, production control, and the protection of animals. We have also worked toward the supply of more convenient vaccines by changing the vaccine container from a vial to a syringe.

Ahead of all others, Kaketsuken tackled research on viral hepatitis, called "the peoples'disease" of the 20th century. As a result, we succeeded in developing Japan's first genetic recombination technology derived hepatitis B vaccine. In addition, regarding the hepatitis A vaccine long awaited by travelers, large-scale culture technology of viral antigens (which had been regarded as difficult), was established in a joint effort with the Infection Research Institute, thus realizing the development of the hepatitis A vaccine. In addition to the above, Kaketsuken is the only domestic supplier of the rabies vaccine for travelers, and exporter of antitoxin drugs for habu (a poisonous snake), and pit vipers.

Technological exchanges with overseas companies have been very active, and have allowed for the smooth introduction of the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR-2) vaccine from Merck & Co. Inc., in the U.S.A., a worldwide supplier of the MMR-2 vaccine. Vaccine will prevent three children's viral diseases simultaneously. Kaketsuken will continue to serve to capitalize on the results of new sciences including molecular biology and the prevention of existing infectious diseases.