100 Stories1974 Getting into the Medical Business with Bemberg™

In 1974, when Asahi Medical was established, the company took its first steps into the medical device business by successfully developing the world's first artificial kidney using a cuprammonium rayon hollow fiber membrane.

The kidney is a vital organ in humans that filters out organic matter accumulated in the blood as urine. It is said that if the kidneys stop functioning, a person can die within three days. Abnormalities in the function of the kidneys, require immediate dialysis treatment.

Asahi Kasei began research on artificial kidneys in 1971. The research section of the Bemberg™ Plant focused on the development of a new application for Bemberg™ when it was found to be suitable for filtration, a key component of artificial kidneys.

However, it was discovered that a film made of Cupro (recycled cellulose fiber) called Cuprophan was being produced in Germany. The development of the film was abandoned because it was deemed meaningless to develop a product using an identical material to Cupro. However, it turned out that hollow fiber was an effective alternative to film, and the focus of research was switched to hollow fibers.

When completed, the new product would be smaller and easier to handle than conventional artificial kidneys, and would also be a disposable type that causes very little blood clotting. In addition, it was expected to cut the time required for one treatment, which used to take 6–7 hours, in half, and to significantly reduce the product cost.

The technology was developed in 1974, but nearly 50 years later, Asahi Kasei continues to offer evolving products. Through the 1980s, the company developed a number of blood separation apheresis products for the treatment of intractable diseases. In 1985, the company successively developed Sepacell™ leukocyte reduction filters, a type of blood filter for removing white blood cells. In 1989, the company developed Planova™ virus removal filters.

The company’s medical device business has steadily developed products based on Asahi Kasei's core technologies and worked to develop markets. At the same time, in addition to organic growth, the company took over Terumo’s dialyzer business in 2002, and in 2003 integrated Asahi Emers, which had been selling medical devices and equipment.

In 2005, the Planova™ business was transferred to the Medical Division. The following year, Kuraray and Asahi Kasei established a joint venture to manufacture medical hollow-fiber membranes using EVOH resin, which Kuraray manufactures and sells, to aggressively expand the market.

The medical business has produced products that directly contribute to human “life.” The development of the artificial kidney in 1974, which marked the starting point of this business, and the subsequent rush of development are worthy of special mention. While medical technology is advancing day by day, making our lives richer, the Medical Division, whose mission is to “work with all people facing illness,” is saving the lives of people around the world, either directly or indirectly, every day.