We carefully consider what should be protected using patents and what should be protected as know-how and when an invention is judged to have potential for making a large contribution to our business, we actively file for patents. Furthermore, we are developing a research and development framework that is respectful of IP belonging to others. We aim to enhance the value of the products and services we deliver to customers and contribute to the sustainable growth of the FANCL Group.
Initiatives since our establishment in 1981
We want to people to be able to use cosmetics with peace of mind and to be able to use fresh cosmetics on their precious skin while they are still fresh. In order to realize this ideal, we have made proactive use of intellectual property (IP) since our establishment, including the idea of using sealed vial bottles and technologies for manufacturing milky lotions using only safe constituents.
We began handling health foods in 1986 and the first product that went on sale was Royal Jelly. In 1994 we started research on supplements and acquired our first patent for Royal Jelly. By engaging in manufacturing that not only ensures quality and safety, but also focuses on effectiveness within the body based on evidence gained through many clinical trials, we have collected a large number of patents.
Number of Patents
Inventions and research results produced within the Group are protected as IP (patents/know-how) and we actively file for patents for inventions that are expected to make a particularly large contribution to the Group's business.
In the fiscal year ended December 2024, we filed for 29 patents in Japan and 15 overseas. Out of the patents filed in the past, 42 have been registered in Japan and 14 overseas. Out of the patents registered in Japan, 20 are from the cosmetics business, 19 from the health foods business, and three from new businesses.
Future development
In order to maintain our competitive advantage in a rapidly changing society, we advance IP activities in accordance with our management, business, and R&D strategies. When establishing new areas to research in our R&D strategies, we consider two perspectives. These are "response to future social issues and customer needs" and "FANCL's growth." We then advance R&D activities accordingly. We also factor coordination with new research areas and firm support for R&D activities into our use of patents with the aim of enhancing the value of the products and services we deliver to customers.