#Japan #Generative AI #Tokyo #Taiyo Holdings #Funlead

Funlead's Groundbreaking Seminar on Generative AI in Pharmaceuticals

On September 10, 2025, Funlead, a subsidiary of Taiyo Holdings located in Toshima City, Tokyo, organized its first seminar titled "The Future of the Pharmaceutical Value Chain Through Generative AI." This initiative was aimed at the management personnel within the pharmaceutical sector, specifically targeting members from the regulatory, quality assurance, and strategic management departments of 11 participating companies.

Seminar Insights

The conference gathered 18 participants from various pharmaceutical firms to address pressing management issues in the industry, such as balancing quality and regulatory compliance with productivity, governance in data utilization, and evaluating the return on investment from implementing generative AI, along with necessary human resources and organizational restructuring. It was designed to tackle these crucial managerial challenges upfront.

Notable Speakers

Key speakers included Taiyo Holdings’ Executive Officer and Chief Digital Officer, Terumichi Tawara, Funlead President, Keiichi Kobayashi, and executives from Taiyo Pharma and Taiyo Pharmatech. Guest speakers also attended, including Takayuki Matsumoto, Executive Officer at KM Biologics, and Shu Hiruta, a special professor at Kumamoto Health Science University, both shared their expertise on the integration of quality systems and digital/AI influences.

Digital Transformation Focus

Taiyo Holdings has been advancing its digital transformation (DX) strategy since establishing its long-term management vision, "Beyond Imagination 2030," in June 2021. Funlead plays a central role in this vision, facilitating the implementation of cutting-edge products and services across the group, aiming to provide new value to customers. As part of this strategy, they are preparing to launch a generative AI-powered SaaS-based knowledge management system named "STiV" aimed at the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries, in April 2024.

Industry Challenges

Given the urgent need for digital transformation, the pharmaceutical sector continues to face lingering analog processes, challenges in widespread DX adoption, the necessity of talent acquisition and development, and the dual pressures of regulatory requirements and data utilization. This seminar was an opportunity to explore the comprehensive picture of DX initiatives within Taiyo Holdings, the current state and issues surrounding generative AI usage in the industry through a survey, and the development and utility of STiV.

Quality Assurance Perspectives

The seminar also featured discussions led by the visiting professors highlighting the role of digital tools and AI in fostering a culture of quality assurance and systemic awareness. Participants engaged in a dynamic Q&A session focusing on the effectiveness of STiV, the impact of generative AI on optimizing workforce structures, and concerns regarding talent development amidst these technological advancements.

One of the significant topics raised during the interactive session concerned how the integration of generative AI tools might influence personnel training and the preservation of critical thinking in employees. Takayuki Matsumoto of KM Biologics shared his insights, emphasizing that while generative AI serves as an aid in knowledge collection, human judgment must remain the pivotal axis around which decisions revolve. He elaborated on the necessity of cross-referencing AI-generated information with established knowledge, thereby enhancing the efficiency of research and data processing while maintaining a critical eye on the quality of AI outputs.

Post-Seminar Surveys

Following the seminar, a survey was conducted among the participating organizations to assess their experiences regarding generative AI usage in their operations. The respondents rated their satisfaction at an impressive average of 4.3 on a five-point scale. However, only about 30% reported the comprehensive implementation of generative AI tools within their companies. Notably, around 70% acknowledged feeling challenges in utilizing generative AI effectively, citing concerns such as data security, inadequate AI literacy, risks stemming from reliance on AI-generated outputs, and challenges in effectively using prompts to maximize AI utility.

Conclusion

The seminar reaffirmed that advancing generative AI in the pharmaceutical industry hinges on balancing regulatory compliance and productivity while addressing governance and talent development. Funlead's goal is to assist companies with cohesive support in implementing generative AI solutions, from designing use cases to ensuring secure operational practices and measuring effectiveness, thereby contributing to overall value creation in the industry.

Related Information

For more insights about the AI knowledge management system "STiV," visit the STiV service site.

Funlead, as a digital supporter not only for the Taiyo Holdings group but for external clients as well, continues to tackle the technological challenges facing the pharmaceutical and manufacturing industries through innovative solutions.

About Taiyo Holdings and Funlead

Taiyo Holdings is a leading company known for holding the number one global market share for solder resist materials used to protect surfaces of printed circuit boards. The diverse range of the group’s operations includes pharmaceuticals, ICT services, and renewable energy pursuits. Funlead, established in 2013, specializes in providing IT solutions and supports digital transformation tailored for various sectors, particularly focusing on manufacturing and pharmaceuticals.