Summer 2026: Female Middle and High School Students Head to the Forefront of Drug Discovery! ~Report on the “Girls Meet STEM” Summer Tour~
From July through August 2026, the “Girls Meet STEM Summer Tour,” a STEM experiential program for female middle and high school students organized by the Shintaro Yamada D&I Foundation, a public interest incorporated foundation, was held. Five member companies of the JPMA—SHIONOGI & CO., LTD., DAIICHI SANKYO CO., LTD.,TAKEDA PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANY LIMITED, Tanabe Pharma Corporation, and CHUGAI PHARMACEUTICAL CO., LTD.—all members of the Japan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association—participated in this event, offering programs that leveraged their respective strengths. With approximately 150 female junior and senior high school students taking part, the program provided an opportunity for them to experience the appeal of drug discovery and the life sciences through research facility tours, hands-on experiments, and interactions with employees.
In March 2026, the JPMA hosted a special spring break event titled “How Are Medicines Created? Hands-On Tour” at the National Museum of Science and Technology (Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo). Building on that initiative, this summer tour saw member companies plan and operate their own unique programs.
Unique Experiential Programs from Each Company
The five participating companies each clearly defined their objective—“What do we want future drug discovery talent to take away from this experience?”—and implemented distinctive programs. While some companies provided opportunities to tour research laboratories and manufacturing facilities to experience the cutting edge of drug discovery firsthand, others focused on interactive programs that offered in-depth insights into researchers’ work, careers, and work styles.
The main program contents are as follows.
| Company Name | Main Program Content |
|---|---|
| SHIONOGI & CO., LTD.
| Tours of the Pharmaceutical Research Center and headquarters, roundtable discussions with employees |
| DAIICHI SANKYO CO., LTD. | Tour of the R&D Center and a roundtable discussion with employees |
| TAKEDA PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANY LIMITED | Tour of the Shonan Research Institute and interaction with researchers |
| Tanabe Pharma Corporation | Hands-on experiments, manufacturing workshop, tour of the museum, and roundtable discussion |
| CHUGAI PHARMACEUTICAL CO., LTD. | Lab tour, hands-on experiments, roundtable discussion with female employees |
These programs provided participants with opportunities to learn about the realities of drug discovery and the appeal of careers in the field while interacting directly with researchers and employees.
Supporting the Development of Future Drug Discovery Talent Across the Industry
This initiative went beyond the scope of individual companies’ activities and was carried out as a “non-competitive” effort by the pharmaceutical industry as a whole to support the development of future drug discovery talent. Participating companies expressed a desire to “continue exchanging ideas in the future,” reaffirming the importance of cross-company collaboration in developing drug discovery talent.
In organizing the event, the JPMA supported its member companies by assisting with information dissemination, sharing expertise on managing roundtable discussions, and providing materials for the event day. Furthermore, participants from other companies observed and engaged in the programs hosted by each firm, creating opportunities for mutual learning that transcended corporate boundaries.
To convey the appeal of drug discovery to the next generation
Asuka Miyabashira, Chairperson of the JPMA, also participated in the “Girls Meet STEM” program held by Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited at its Shonan Research Institute, where she interacted with female middle and high school students.Regarding this initiative, Chairperson Miyabashira commented, “For the development of the drug discovery and life sciences fields, it is essential to create an environment where diverse talent can thrive and to continuously engage with the younger generation who will lead the next generation.I would be delighted if ‘Girls Meet STEM’ serves as an opportunity for female middle and high school students to develop an interest in science, medicine, and drug discovery, thereby broadening the possibilities for their own futures,” she commented.
JPMA and its member companies will continue to contribute to the development of the next generation of talent who will lead the drug discovery and life sciences fields.