When traveling in Japan, everyone is surely familiar with the 1,000 yen banknote. The dignified gentleman featured on it is Shibasaburō Kitasato, widely regarded as the “Father of Modern Japanese Medicine”—and a pioneer in therapeutic medicine who helped change the course of human history. 

1889: Became the world’s first scientist to successfully culture Clostridium tetani, the bacterium that causes tetanus.

1890: Discovered the tetanus antitoxin and developed serum therapy, transforming tetanus from a fatal disease into a treatable condition. 

1892: Founded the Institute for Infectious Diseases and served as its first director. 

1914: Established the Kitasato Institute. 

2005: Adimmune Corporation signed a technology transfer agreement with the Kitasato Institute in Japan. 

Building on the technology transferred from the Kitasato Institute, Adimmune Corporation is today Taiwan’s sole manufacturer and supplier of tetanus vaccines, providing a stable annual supply of over one million doses. This ensures that Taiwan’s armed forces and the general public are protected against the risk of tetanus infection in times of war or major disasters.