Seikagaku develops new drugs in-house, conducts clinical trials, and submits applications for approval from regulatory authorities such as the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (Japan) and the FDA (US). It manufactures drugs itself, but sells through pharmaceutical companies of sales partner that are strong in specific areas. Earnings are driven by GPM of products sold to sales partners. Since its establishment in 1947, it has specialized in glycoscience (study of sugar chains and glycoconjugates), developing and manufacturing related drugs and bulk drugs.