Rank: #28 (Last year: N/A) ¥644.6 Billion ($4.30 Billion)
Prior Fiscal: ¥586.8 Billion
Percentage Change: +9.8%
R&D Expenditure: ¥216.6B
Best FY24 Quarter: Q3 ¥167.2B
Latest Quarter: Q4 ¥165.3B
No. of Employees: 39,168
Global Headquarters: Osaka, Japan

Nipro significantly expanded its U.S. presence in July 2024 by establishing its first North American manufacturing facility in Greenville, N.C. The facility is expected to create 232 new jobs and involve an investment of about $398 million over the next five years.

Founded in Japan in 1954, Nipro is a Tier 1 manufacturer of high-quality medical devices and healthcare solutions. By establishing U.S. manufacturing, the company reduces global transportation needs and cuts down on carbon emissions. The new facility in Pitt County is Nipro’s first venture into producing advanced medical devices directly in the U.S.

The advanced manufacturing site hosts positions from engineering and production to administrative and management roles. The facility is set to produce devices that support patients with diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and other renal health issues.

“We are thrilled to start manufacturing our medical devices in the U.S., which will support local healthcare professionals and patients with a stable supply chain and reduced transportation costs,” said Tsuyoshi Yamazaki, Nipro’s senior managing director of global business. “Our close proximity to customers will allow us to better respond to their needs and provide them with timely and effective solutions.”

“We are delighted to welcome Nipro to North Carolina,” North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper told the press. “This initiative not only reinforces our status as a prime location for advanced manufacturing but also demonstrates our state’s capability in providing a skilled workforce and a superior quality of life.”

Nipro generated ¥644.6 billion ($4.3 billion) of revenue in its latest fiscal year (ended March 31, 2025), rising an impressive 9.8% over the previous year. Sales were strong in all dialysis products including dialyzers, dialysis equipment, and other dialysis-related products. In the company’s B2B business, sales of insulin needles, Safetouch PSV, and dialyzers increased, making net sales as a whole rise 9.9%.

Dialyzer sales increased because of large projects in North America and shipments commenced for Egyptian government tenders, along with a switch from other European companies. In Asia, single-use applications spread and shipments for government tenders began. Dialysis centers increased in Central and South America and China.

Revenues from drug-eluting balloons, which were previously down because of a competitor putting new products on the market, increased due to recovered market share resulting from an indication expansion. The result was a ¥700 million sales growth. Surgical Device-related product proceeds remained steady thanks to stronger sales and increased maintenance contracts of HeartMate 3, resulting from an indication expansion. As a result, revenues increased ¥860 million over the previous year.

Domestic (Japanese) sales of needles grew ¥1.97 billion due to passing through of costs and increases in shipment. Overseas, insulin needle sales ascended ¥6.16 billion thanks to higher demand for GLP-1 medicines in Europe. Domestic sales of infusion-related products increased ¥790 million thanks to higher costs passed on to sales prices.

FROM THE TOP: “Our growth strategy includes strengthening the competitiveness of our core dialysis products, acquiring sales rights for authorized generics and biosimilars, ensuring a stable supply of antibiotics, establishing a vaccine supply system, and promoting global market expansion for medical devices and kit formulations.”

—Yamazaki Tsuyoshi, President and Representative Director

Americas sales rose ¥23.14 million because of the yen’s depreciation, a large contract of dialyzers and related equipment, and more demand for AVF and blood circuit. European revenues grew ¥5.99 billion due to the Egyptian dialyzers deal, a switch from competitors in Romania and Turkey, and strong dialysis sales in Italy and Libya. In Asia, sales rose ¥8.03 billion thanks to a shift to single-use in Indonesia, tenders for dialysis equipment in Saudi Arabia, UAE, and India, increased needles and syringes sales in Thailand and the Philippines, and healthy sales of vascular-related products.

The Gentuity HF-OCT imaging system received FDA clearance in October. Featuring the Vis-Rx micro-imaging catheter, the system is meant for use before and after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The company said at the time of clearance that it’s the only intravascular imaging platform indicated for assessing the coronary vessel pre- and post-intervention.

The Vis-Rx catheter is 1.8F, which according to Nipro, makes it the world’s smallest imaging platform. Its low crossing profile makes it capabile of performing essential pre-PCI imaging, reduces the need for pre-dilation, streamlines workflow, and lets clinicians assess coronary arteries in their native state.

In December, the company’s Nipro Trading Co. subsidiary in Shanghai acquired Sichuan Pure Science and Technology Co., a manufacturer of dialysis RO equipment. The manufacturer was acquired to expand the company’s hemodialysis business in the Chinese market, helping to actively promote globalization of its medical device business. The acquisition will boost Nipro Trading’s lineup of dialysis-related products, further strengthen its presence in the growing Chinese market, and help capture a leading market share.

January 2025 saw international launch of the DIAMAX WOW single-patient dialysis machine. The machine features a 15-inch touch panel and simple operation thanks to icons and graphic guidance. It has enhanced checking functions for safety as well as improved operability and a slimmer size with a front-mounted B powder cartridge holder.

It also features a liquid preparation time of under three minutes and a thermal disinfection time of less than 30 minutes, with various automated functions. The company said minimal running costs occur throughout the product’s lifecycle with an Eco-mode function and durable solenoid valves.