Translation guide
A pharmaceutical product that is the first of its kind, developed through original research and typically protected by patents. This guide helps learners express the concept naturally in Japanese, focusing on common terms used in medical, business, and everyday contexts.
Referring to the first patented version of a drug, as opposed to later generic copies.
Standard technical term used in medical and pharmaceutical contexts. Literally 'first-launch medicine'. Commonly contrasted with 後発医薬品 (generic drug).
The patent on the originator drug has expired.
The doctor prescribed the brand-name drug.
Abbreviated form of 先発医薬品, common in business and industry discussions.
The price difference between originator and generic drugs is large.
Literally 'new drug'. Often used to refer to a newly developed originator drug, but can also mean any new medication. Context usually clarifies if it's the first of its kind.
The pharmaceutical company succeeded in developing a new drug.
Direct loan translation, used in some technical documents but less common than 先発医薬品.
The market for originator drugs is shrinking.
Emphasizing that the drug was the first to establish a new category of treatment.
Means 'groundbreaking new drug', highlighting innovation and first-in-class status.
This groundbreaking new drug revolutionized treatment.
Literally 'first therapeutic drug'. Used when a drug is the first approved treatment for a condition.
Pattern meaning 'a drug that pioneers ~'. Used in news or articles to describe a drug that leads a new field.
The specific originator drug used as a reference for generic drug approval.
In regulatory documents, the originator drug is often called 先発医薬品 and may be explicitly noted as the reference listed drug.
For generic drug applications, the originator drug is designated as the reference listed drug.
先発医薬品 specifically means the first patented version of a drug, often contrasted with generics. 新薬 simply means 'new drug' and can refer to any newly approved medication, including new formulations or combinations, not necessarily the first in its class. In contexts where the distinction from generics is important, use 先発医薬品.
The active ingredient of the originator drug and the generic drug is the same.
The direct translation 'オリジネーター薬' is not standard and may cause confusion. Stick to 先発医薬品 or context-appropriate terms.
This is the first drug for that disease.
This drug pioneered gene therapy.