Minoru Kanehisa laboratories at the Institute for Chemical Research, Kyoto University
identifier format
map/hsa<5-digit pathway ID>, C<5-digit compound ID> (KEGG COMPOUND), and D<5-digit drug ID> (KEGG DRUG)
license
Free academic web access; FTP and API bulk redistribution managed via Pathway Solutions licensing
introduced
1995
Core Principles & Analysis
Initiated in 1995 by Minoru Kanehisa at Kyoto University under the Japanese Human Genome Program, KEGG was created to connect sequenced genes to higher-level cellular and organismal functions through manually drawn reference pathway maps.
KEGG integrates 16 cross-linked databases spanning systems information (KEGG PATHWAY, BRITE, MODULE), genomic information (GENES, KO orthology), chemical information (COMPOUND, GLYCAN, REACTION, ENZYME), and health information (DISEASE, DRUG).
KEGG DRUG records chemical structures, therapeutic categories (ATC codes), target proteins, and drug-metabolizing enzyme networks for all prescription and OTC medicines approved in Japan, the United States, and Europe.