Related SDGs

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As a company that has been engaged in the research and development of pharmaceuticals for rare diseases since its inception, JCR is involved in awareness-raising activities to support patients.

RARE DISEASE Project

The RARE DISEASE Project is a cross-sectional internal awareness-raising project, with “What JCR can do for rare diseases” as its motto. We collect information and share it internally to deepen employees’ understanding of rare diseases. We also support and cooperate with patient groups and support organizations that help people with rare diseases. We recruit members through a show of hands, emphasizing the importance of employees showing initiative, and stipulate a two-year appointment without fixed membership.
As awareness-raising activities within the Company, we conduct such activities as encouraging employees to wear official badges for Rare Disease Day (RDD), fundraising activities, conducting global consciousness-raising activities for MPS Awareness Day, distributing reports on participation by employees in events organized by patient groups and organizations that support patients with rare diseases, and holding in-house lectures.

Description of Activities in FY2021

In FY2020 and again in FY2021, the COVID-19 pandemic compelled us to conduct activities centered on participation in events held online and distribution of reports on those events. In August, we held the RDD Internship online. For this event, we welcomed the participation of students from Osaka Meisei Gakuen high school.
As a company aiming to become “a global specialty pharma in the rare disease arena,” JCR believes that it is extremely important to provide opportunities for each and every employee to hear opinions directly from patients. In FY2021, we held “MPS I Patient Journeys,” an in-house speech event on MPS I in October, and employees could ask the patients for details from the patients’ points of view, including their actual symptoms, diagnosis histories, and how they spend a week.
And, as a new initiative, we produced an original eco-bag printed with illustrations and the project slogan, “What JCR can do for rare diseases,” and donated the proceeds.
JCR will continue to carry out not only research and development focused on orphan drugs, but also activities that lead to broad-based support for patients on a global basis.

MPS Awareness Day

Rare Disease Day

In-House RDD Awareness-Raising Activities

To commemorate RDD, JCR encourages employees to wear official RDD badges and raises funds in-house in February every year.
Moreover, Japanese professional golfer Masahiro Kawamura and Japanese professional tennis player Masamichi Imamura have continued awareness-raising activities worldwide by placing the logo on clothing, caps, bags, etc., and by distributing postcards and pin badges during domestic and international tours. JCR signed a sponsor agreement with Mr. Kawamura in October 2019 and with Mr. Imamura in April 2021.