Daiichi Taps Kyowa as North American Distributor

NEW YORK—Kyowa Hakko USA will serve as the exclusive North American distributor of the fine chemical and vitamin ingredients from Toyama, Japan-based Daiichi Fine Chemical Co. Ltd. (DFK), effective Jan. 1, 2009. The products include DFK’s calcium panthothenate, pantethine, panthenol and other fine chemical products. Toyota Tsusho America Inc., the current distributor, will handle all purchase orders until Dec. 31, 2008.

In mid-2007, Kyowa Hakko USA’s parent company—Tokyo-based Kyowa Hakko Kogyo Co. Ltd.—acquired the entire share capital of DFK from Daiichi Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. According to Kyowa Hakko USA, because Kyowa Hakko Kogyo and DFK share many customers in the dietary supplement, cosmetic and feed ingredient markets, the companies decided to consolidate the North American sales and marketing efforts.