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).
先発医薬品の特許が切れた。
The patent on the originator drug has expired.
医師は先発医薬品を処方した。
The doctor prescribed the brand-name drug.
Abbreviated form of 先発医薬品, common in business and industry discussions.
先発品と後発品の価格差は大きい。
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.
その製薬会社は新薬の開発に成功した。
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.
オリジネーター医薬品の市場は縮小している。
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.
この画期的新薬は治療法を一変させた。
This groundbreaking new drug revolutionized treatment.
Literally 'first therapeutic drug'. Used when a drug is the first approved treatment for a condition.
これはその病気に対する初の治療薬です。
This is the first drug for that disease.
Pattern meaning 'a drug that pioneers ~'. Used in news or articles to describe a drug that leads a new field.
この薬は遺伝子治療の先駆けとなった。
This drug pioneered gene therapy.
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.
後発医薬品の申請には先発医薬品を参照品目として指定する。
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.
先発医薬品と後発医薬品の有効成分は同じです。
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.