Leading Japanese vitamin maker Eisai is to create a new subsidiary for its vitamins and supplement unit, previously known as the Food Additives and Chemicals division.
The company, which does not yet have a name, will be operating by 1 April next year, said Eisai this week.
As part of the chemicals group, the unit develops and produces food additives, drug materials, and natural and synthetic vitamin E.
"The streamlining of this area of Eisai's business is expected to result in enhanced customer satisfaction and corporate value of the Eisai group," said the company in a statement.
Japan's fourth largest drug maker, Eisai still has a considerable share of the global vitamin E market, but vitamin manufacturers have been facing growing pressure from Chinese competitors and Eisai is not the first pharma firm to downscale its vitamin activities in recent times.