image: This photo shows (from left to right) Osamu Nagayama, Chairman and CEO of Chugai, Shizuo Akira, Director of IFReC, Shojiro Nishio, President of Osaka University. view more
Credit: Osaka University
Osaka University and Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. signed an agreement between the Osaka University Immunology Frontier Research Center (IFReC) and Chugai for collaboration to advance immunology research leading to the discovery of innovative novel drugs.
With the total 10 billion yen ($91 million) contribution from Chugai, IFReC researchers will continue academic basic research and Chugai will gain access to results relating to the research projects and the right of first refusal for joint research.
IFReC was selected for the World Premier International Research Center (WPI) Initiative Program initiated by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) in 2007. Headed by Director Shizuo Akira, an eminent immunologist, IFReC convenes approximately 30 of the world's top-class principal investigators from Japan and overseas in the fields of immunology, live imaging and bioinformatics to conduct innovative immunological research. The research conducted by IFReC is of the highest standard and recognized globally, with papers published in major international journals and prestigious international prizes awarded to its researchers.
"Since its launch in 2007, IFReC has been conducting research toward comprehensive understanding of the immune system and has achieved internationally-acclaimed exceptional results in the field of basic immunology. This collaboration will cement IFReC's research foundation and maintain IFReC's level even beyond the end of the support period for the WPI program in April 2017, thereby facilitating our achievement and continuance of the WPI objectives." Akira mentioned.
Chugai is a leader in the field of biopharmaceuticals and antibody pharmaceuticals in Japan. In 2005 the company succeeded in developing the first domestically-created antibody drug, Actemra. Currently, Chugai is developing ACE910 (emicizumab) and CIM331 (nemolizumab) using its proprietary antibody engineering technologies. Going forward, Chugai aims to utilize middle molecule technologies, which are expected to become another central technology for the development of new drugs, to focus on the research and development of first-in-class and best-in-class pharmaceuticals.
"Chugai has innovative proprietary technologies for antibody engineering and middle molecules, which enables drug discovery of targets that could not be done previously. Through the combination of these technologies and the diverse research results achieved through the global top-class immunology research at IFReC, we are confident of providing multiple innovative pharmaceuticals to patients." said Osamu Nagayama, Chairman and CEO of Chugai.
This comprehensive collaboration will maintain an academic environment that allows researchers at IFReC to focus on basic research originating from their own ideas, with the aim of contributing back to society the results of the advanced immunology research. In addition, through the combination of the global top-class research in immunology at IFReC and the knowledge of innovative drug research accumulated by Chugai through its proprietary technologies, the obstacles between basic research and clinical application research will be eliminated. The collaboration will seek to achieve significant results that contribute to the benefit of the medical community and human health around the world.
"Osaka University promotes collaboration with industry based on the concept "From university-industry cooperation to university-industry creation (co-creation)" and aims for innovation toward creation of social value. This collaboration is a new form of university-industry cooperation at Osaka University. The funding for research activities at the basic research stage will promote basic research for the long-term and strengthen university-industry cooperation." commented Shojiro Nishio, President of Osaka University.
Outline of the comprehensive collaboration agreement
Period: April 2017 to March 2027
Investment: 1 billion yen per year
Purpose: To benefit the society through further advancement of the basic immunology research at IFReC as well as contributing to society through the creation of innovative novel drugs by utilizing the immunology research capabilities at IFReC in the research and development of innovative pharmaceuticals at Chugai.
Research area: Immune-associated diseases
Collaboration scheme
- 1. IFReC researchers will continue academic basic research without restriction.
2. Research outcomes of independent research projects1) that IFReC is engaged in will be regularly disclosed (reported) to Chugai twice per year.
3. Chugai will select research projects2) for joint research on the basis of the reports.
4. IFReC researchers will engage in joint research with Chugai.
5. In and after the final stages of non-clinical research, Chugai may engage in research development independently.
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About Osaka University
Osaka University was established in 1931 at Nakanoshima, Osaka as the sixth imperial university and comprised the School of Medicine and the School of Science. In 2007 the university merged with the Osaka University of Foreign Studies (established in 1921). The university currently has 11 schools, 16 graduate schools and five affiliated research institutes making it a leading research-oriented comprehensive university in Japan.
Inheriting its ideology and spirit from its origins in Kaitokudo and Tekijuku, Osaka University is resolved to contribute to the stability and welfare of society, worldwide peace, and harmony between people and the natural environment. Through the orchestration and co-creation of diverse knowledge, the university pursues the essence of scholarship at the highest level of education and research. The university aims to solve global-scale social problems through the creation of new academic fields and integrated learning exceeding specialist fields to develop graduates who are capable of making significant contributions to the creation of a society rich in humanity. The solid implementation of these aims will lead to our goal of becoming one of the world's best universities.
As of May 1, 2015, there were 15,535 undergraduate students across Suita, Minoh and Toyonaka campuses, and 7,886 graduate students. The staff numbered 6,363.
For further details on Osaka University see the website http://www.osaka-u.ac.jp/en/index.html
About the Immunology Frontier Research Center (IFReC)
IFReC was selected for the World Premier International Research Center (WPI) Initiative Program initiated by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) in 2007 and launched at Osaka University on October 1, 2007. Led by internationally-renowned immunologist Shizuo Akira, the center is a world top-class research institution. The discoverer of regulatory T cells, Professor Shimon Sakaguchi, and 180 other high-level researchers are leading the world of immunology at IFReC. IFReC's goal is to visualize the behavior, activation status, and interaction of immune cells in vivo through the fusion of immunology, imaging technology and bioinformatics, to understand the immune system comprehensively.
For further details on IFReC see the website http://www.ifrec.osaka-u.ac.jp/en/index.htm
About Chugai
Chugai Pharmaceutical is one of Japan's leading research-based pharmaceutical companies with strengths in biotechnology products. Chugai, based in Tokyo, specializes in prescription pharmaceuticals and is listed on the 1st section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange. As an important member of the Roche Group, Chugai is actively involved in R&D activities in Japan and abroad. Specifically, Chugai is working to develop innovative products which may satisfy unmet medical needs, mainly focusing on the oncology area.
In Japan, Chugai's research facilities in Gotemba and Kamakura are collaborating to develop new pharmaceuticals, and laboratories in Ukima are conducting research for technology development for industrial production. Overseas, Chugai Pharmabody Research based in Singapore is engaged in research focusing on the generation of novel antibody drugs by utilizing Chugai's proprietary innovative antibody engineering technologies. Chugai Pharma USA and Chugai Pharma Europe are engaged in clinical development activities in the United States and Europe.
The consolidated revenue in 2015 of Chugai totalled 498.8 billion yen and the operating income was 90.7 billion yen (IFRS Core basis).
Additional information is available on the internet at http://www.chugai-pharm.co.jp/english.
About the World Premier International Research Center (WPI) Initiative Program
The World Premier International Research Center (WPI) Initiative was launched in 2007 by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT). In the middle of intensifying competition for securing the world's finest brains, Japan is facing the increasing needs to lead the world with its competitive edge in science and technology. In this environment, the WPI program aims to build within Japan "globally visible" research centers that boast a very high research standard and outstanding research environment, sufficiently attractive to prompt frontline researchers from around the world. Nine WPI centers have been established, all of which engage in research activities under strong leadership by center directors to realize four WPI objectives of advancing leading-edge research, creating interdisciplinary domains, establishing international research environments and reforming research institutions.
For further details on WPI see the website http://www.mext.go.jp/english/research_promotion/1303822.htm