Newsletter Volume 41, Number 4, 2026
Introduction
The intense heat continues—how are you all holding up? On July 28, a magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck the Kumamoto region of Kumamoto Prefecture, with a maximum seismic intensity of 7 recorded. We extend our heartfelt sympathies to all those affected by the disaster.
As I followed the news coverage after the earthquake, I was deeply impressed by how experts from various fields—including seismology, civil engineering, medicine, and public administration—are collaborating to facilitate rapid recovery and reconstruction. This has reaffirmed my belief that collaboration among people with diverse areas of expertise is essential for solving major challenges.
In recent years, the environment surrounding pharmacokinetic research has also undergone significant changes. While the focus was once primarily on areas such as drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics, today—in addition to the expanding scope of drug discovery research to include antibodies, nucleic acids, and cell and gene therapies—knowledge and technologies from diverse fields such as AI, data science, biology,analytical chemistry, and engineering are being incorporated into research settings. As research subjects and technologies diversify, it has become increasingly difficult for a single researcher to gain a deep understanding of all of them. Every time I encounter presentations or papers outside my own specialty, I am surprised by new ideas and techniques, and I find myself realizing more and more often, “There is still so much I don’t know.”This may be precisely why discussions and exchanges with researchers from different fields are becoming increasingly valuable. Pharmacokinetics has always been situated at the intersection of various academic disciplines, and I believe its greatest strength lies in its ability to bridge a wide range of specializations and create new value.
I hope this newsletter will serve not only to deepen your knowledge in your own field of expertise but also to broaden your horizons. I hope you enjoy this issue. (Y.K)
Topics
Straight from the Organizers! “Highlights and Must-Hear Sessions” for the 41st Annual Meeting (Tsukuba) & the 18th Short Course
We asked Takafumi Komori, President of the 41st Annual Meeting (Tsukuba), and Ryoichi Saito, Executive Committee Chair of the 18th Short Course, to create videos explaining the highlights. These videos concisely summarize information that will help you navigate the events on the day. Be sure to check them out! … ( Continue reading on the NL website )
From the Japanese Society for Pharmacokinetics Newsletter: Regulatory Science Information
The Newsletter Committee reports on regulatory science information related to the field of pharmacokinetics, including the latest trends in guidelines and regulatory harmonization activities under the ICH. … ( Continue reading on the NL website / Members Only )
NEW POWER: Dedicated to Pharmacokinetic Research
As a Pharmacokinetic Researcher Still on the Journey: Learning from Data and People Every Day
Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Tokushima Drug Discovery Research Center, Preclinical Research Institute, Pharmacokinetics Research Department
Masakazu Shibata
My name is Masakazu Shibata of Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the editorial board members of the newsletter for giving me this valuable opportunity to contribute. After completing my master’s degree at Kyoto Pharmaceutical University, I joined the company and have been engaged in pharmacokinetic research for 16 years.I am currently in charge of a project and am engaged in pharmacokinetic evaluation, human pharmacokinetic prediction, and modeling and simulation. Looking back on my experience to date, I would like to share my approach to pharmacokinetic research and my future goals. … ( Continue reading on the NL website / Members only )
Conference Guide
Participating in the 47th Annual Meeting of PTST
Department of Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences
Hisanao Kishimoto
On May 13–15, 2026, The 47th Annual Meeting of The Pharmacological and Therapeutic Society of Thailand (PTST), themed “Global Trends and Emerging Innovations in Pharmacology,” was held at Pra Mongkut Klao Hospital in Bangkok, Thailand.I had the opportunity to participate as an invited speaker as part of a joint project between JSSX and PTST (The Pharmacological and Therapeutic Society of Thailand). … ( Continue reading on the NL website )