Sangi first became interested in hydroxyapatite after acquiring a dental materials patent from NASA in the 1970s. The third main component of our bodies after water and collagen, hydroxyapatite is used widely in medicine and dentistry for its biocompatibility, such as in bone grafts and orthopedic implants, and is also a food supplement. Since its inception, Sangi has developed and synthesized hydroxyapatite for a wide range of chemical, biomedical, alimentary, household and public health applications, but chiefly for oral care. Today oral care products are Sangi's main source of income, but other hydroxyapatite-related products in its line-up include antibacterial agents, food additives, cosmetics ingredients, and fine chemicals such as adsorptive agents for chromatography and other research use. Sangi sees itself primarily as a product development company, and for over three decades has preferred to focus on R&D and securing its own patents, rather than manufacturing and product sales. It has over 70 patents approved and over 100 applications pending in Japan and other countries, in a variety of fields. By design, Sangi has remained fab-less, relying on outside suppliers for the manufacture of all products beyond the pilot plant stage.