Treatment for Arteriosclerosis Obliterans and Hyperlipidemia
EPA, along with DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), is a type of essential fatty acid abundant in blue-backed fish. Since it cannot be produced within the human body, it must be obtained through diet.
Nissui's EPA research history spans approximately 40 years. In 1979, we began exploring its development for pharmaceutical use. The following year, we entered into a joint research agreement with Chiba University School of Medicine, conducting epidemiological research to verify its benefits while working on increasing its purity.
In 1981, we began joint pharmaceutical development research with a pharmaceutical company. As we continued to advance our technology for stabilization and mass production of high purity EPA, it was first approved in Japan as a treatment for arteriosclerosis obliterans in 1990 and for hyperlipidemia in 1994, later gaining approval as a treatment overseas. Furthermore, in 2019, it was approved in the United States for cardiovascular diseases. Nissui has been responsible for the stable supply of this EPA pharmaceutical raw material for over 30 years. Research on EPA is conducted widely, with various recognized functions including reduction of neutral fats, blood pressure lowering effects, platelet aggregation inhibition, and anti-inflammatory/anti-allergic effects, showing EPA's expanding potential.
World First! Establishing Advanced EPA Purification Technology
EPA content in fish oil, the raw material, is around 20%. For pharmaceutical use, this must be concentrated to over 96.5% purity. However, EPA is difficult to handle as it gradually oxidizes and decomposes when exposed to oxygen. To use EPA in various applications, the challenge was how to remove impurities, control oxidation, minimize fish odor, and concentrate it. We overcame these challenges to succeed in mass-producing high purity EPA, now achieving purities over 96.5%. Nissui was the first in the world to establish advanced EPA purification technology and continues to produce and supply high purity EPA as a pharmaceutical raw material.
Product Development to Deliver EPA Widely
In 1987, Nissui established a dedicated department which would later become today's Fine Chemicals Business Group. While advancing joint research toward EPA pharmaceuticals and developing manufacturing technology for pharmaceutical raw materials, we also worked on utilizing EPA in the food sector.
In 1988, we launched "Umi no Genki EPA," an EPA-containing health food in capsule form, later beginning mail-order sales through "Umi no Genki Club." In 2004, we launched "IMARK," a Food for Specified Health Use drink containing EPA and DHA "for those concerned about neutral fats," followed by the renewed "IMARK S" in 2012. We are also focusing on foods with functional claims and general foods that make it easy to consume EPA and DHA.
The Story Behind EPA's Birth
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