Establishment Phase
1972–1974
The foundation was established out of the late Professor Yoshinari Tsuda, Professor Emeritus at Keio University,
whose passionate vision was to “make medical information publicly available and accessible, just like in the US National Library of Medicine.”
Apr. 1972
With the approval of the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health and Welfare, the foundation became independent of the Keio University Shinanomachi Media Center (Kitasato Memorial Medical Library), its mother organization, and assumed such work as that related to MEDLARS, INIS and APTIC.
Aug. 1973
We received an assignment for research and development on the codes for medical terminology and a thesaurus for medical terminology from the Ministry of Health and Welfare.
Aug. 1974
We were designated as a specialized center for the medical field within the National Information System for Science and Technology (NIST).
The Golden Age of Document Supply Services
1975–1993
Due to growing demand, we established a division for document supply services.
Apr. 1975
A dial access (DA) service that supplies current medical and healthcare information was initiated.
Oct. 1975
We joined the Japanese Medical Library Association (JMLA) as a supporting member.
Dec. 1976
We signed a business contract with the National Cancer Institute (NCI) of the United States for the International Cancer Research Data Bank (ICRDB).
Nov. 1977
The first issue of “IMIC”, a medical information periodical, was published.
Dec. 1977
Online connection to British Library Lending Division (BLLD) was established.
Nov. 1981
The IMIC library was founded.
May. 1982
Open seminars and open lectures were held at the ceremony marking the 10th anniversary of the foundation.
Jul. 1985
Osaka Service Office opened.
Jul. 1991
The construction of a medical information database for medical congresses and medical seminars was initiated.
Sep. 1991
Osaka Service Office relocated to the Mitsuboshi Koraibashi Building.
Transformation Phase
1993–2004
Transforming the business structure from a document supply business to a contract services business.
Apr. 1993
Rapid bibliographic communication of drug information and database creation service were initiated.
Dec. 1994
Rapid reporting service for adverse effects of pharmaceutical products reported in Japan (SELIMIC) was started.
Jun. 1995
Headquarters and the Tokyo Service Office relocated to Shinanomachi-Rengakan, Shinjuku (the current location).
Nov. 1995
An operation was started to offer “A database for the Proceedings of Medical Congresses in Japan” to NACSIS-IR.
Apr. 1996
“Cancer information service” via fax was initiated.
May. 1996
Osaka Service Office relocated to the Toyota Nissei Kitahama Building.
Sep. 1996
Distribution of "Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare Specific Disease Research CD-ROM" was initiated.
Oct. 1997
IMIC Web [databases for information on adverse effects SELIMIC Web, translation of the abstracts from MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report; epidemiological information from the United States) and an index list of feature articles published in Japan] was made available.
Oct. 1997
We celebrated our 25th anniversary with a commemorative ceremony, including a commemorative lecture and a commemorative party.
Dec. 1999
Production and sales of MedDRA Navigator, viewer software for MedDRAJ was initiated.
Feb. 2000
IMIC Order (copying service via the Internet and search application system) was started.
Apr. 2000
A section of Medical Societies Secretariat Support Service was established.
A service to organize academic congresses on consignment was initiated.
Jul. 2000
EBM Promotion Center was established.
Jun. 2001
A management system of academic congress information was introduced on IMICWeb.
IMIC user meeting
Feb. 2002
We hosted the IMIC user meeting for the first time. Since then, it has been held annually, with the exception of 2020.
Apr. 2002
Copyright Management System operation was initiated.
Jul. 2002
A Web edition catalog for the periodicals available at IMIC was made available.
Oct. 2003
SELIMIC Web was renewed.
Growth Phase
2005-
We launched services compliant with the revised Pharmaceutical Affairs Law and the Pharmaceutical and Medical Devices Act*.
Furthermore, we developed and provided our proprietary IMIC Document Information System (I-dis).
*Act on the Assurance of the Quality, Efficacy, and Safety of Pharmaceuticals, Medical Devices, and Other Products
Apr. 2005
Medical Device Alert service, SELIMIC Web Alert service and GVP (Good Vigilance Practice) contract literature research were initiated.
Apr. 2006
Documentation services providing information for the proper use of pharmaceutical products were initiated.
Apr. 2007
We obtained the Privacy Mark.
Feb. 2008
Osaka Service Office relocated.
Apr. 2009
IMIC Document Information System (I-dis) was initiated.
Aug. 2009
A new branch office (IMIC ANNEX) was set up near the Shinanomachi-Rengakan office.
Apr. 2010
SELIMIC was renewed (global GVP compatible).
Oct. 2010
Release of Version 2 of the IMIC Document Information System (I-dis).
Apr. 2013
We were reorganized as a General Incorporated Foundation pursuant to the Public Interest Corporation System Reform Related Act.
Mar. 2015
Document Delivery Service Using Electronic Files "IMIC Order+" was initiated.
Nov. 2020
Release of Version 3 of the IMIC Document Information System (I-dis).
Apr. 2022
DEVICE SAFETY BASE service was initiated.
Jul. 2022
ISMS (Information Security Management System)
certification was acquired (for web services for IMIC Document Information System “I-dis”).
Feb. 2023
The 50th anniversary commemorative ceremony was held.
May. 2023
The 50th anniversary commemorative publication was issued.
Jan. 2024
New SELIMIC service was launched.