Shionogi conducts its research and development program based on its policy of ”provide medicine of the best possible kind essential for protection of the health of the people.” We will spare no effort in carrying out challenging and speedy research and development to fulfill our mission of delivering pharmaceuticals that offer an even higher level of satisfaction to patients‚ their families and healthcare providers and improve the quality of life for patients and their families. Over the term of our the 3rd medium-term business plan, we aim to achieve world-class research productivity and success rates and accelerate our global clinical development activities. We have designated obesity/diabetes and viral infection as priority areas and plan to flexibly address unmet medical needs while staying ahead of trends in next-generation therapeutic areas. With regard to its research activities, Shionogi has enhanced its early-phase research portfolio by building its own alliance networks, including a global academia-industry alliance network run in conjunction with the British government. Shionogi is also working to improve performance in predicting clinical efficacy by strengthening collaborative ties with Osaka University in molecular imaging, and it is enhancing research productivity by centralizing domestic research facilities at SPRC. With regard to its development activities, Shionogi will establish a Global Development Office to clarify responsibilities by separating strategic planning and operations and to enable quick decisions on development strategy and improve development functions. Shionogi also plans to establish three regional footholds worldwide to enable it to conduct clinical trials efficiently and quickly by selecting the best region depending on which phase research is in.