Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. Establishes Joint Research Venture for Innovative Pharmaceutical and Diagnostic Products

Strategic Insights -

Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. has announced the establishment of Forerunner Pharma Research Co., Ltd. (FPR), a joint research venture with Mitsui & Co., Ltd. and Central Institute for Experimental Animals. The new company aims to integrate cutting-edge knowledge and information from universities and research institutes to accelerate the discovery of innovative new pharmaceuticals and diagnostic products.

FPR is planning to commence operations from April 22, 2005, and will utilize research outcomes in pathological proteomics accumulated by PharmaLogicals, a joint venture established in 2002 by Chugai, Mitsui, and CIEA in Singapore. The company will further develop organized and collaborative research with the University of Tokyo Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology (RCAST) and other institutes to conduct concrete drug candidate screening and discovery research.

Key Takeaways:

  • Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. has established a joint research venture, Forerunner Pharma Research Co., Ltd. (FPR), with Mitsui & Co., Ltd. and Central Institute for Experimental Animals.
  • The new company aims to accelerate the discovery of innovative new pharmaceuticals and diagnostic products through the integration of knowledge and information from universities and research institutes.
  • FPR will utilize research outcomes in pathological proteomics accumulated by PharmaLogicals, a joint venture established in 2002 in Singapore.
  • The company will develop a comprehensive research system integrating drug design strategy and pathophysiological studies to deliver innovative drug exploratory.
  • FPR will position itself as a new research center for genome-based drug discovery and a new business-academia collaboration model following the transformation of national universities into independent corporations.
  • Chugai has been establishing its business structure to become a leading domestic pharmaceutical company with global management infrastructure since joining the Roche Group in October 2002.
  • Mitsui has been positioning the molecular diagnostic business in the cancer area as one of its core businesses, promoting the acquisition of molecular diagnostics technologies through establishment of the R&D joint venture in Singapore and investment in biotechnology firms.

Statistics:

  • 2002: Chugai, Mitsui, and CIEA established PharmaLogicals Research Pte. in Singapore.
  • 85%: Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.'s ownership stake in Forerunner Pharma Research Co., Ltd.
  • 14%: Mitsui & Co., Ltd.'s ownership stake in Forerunner Pharma Research Co., Ltd.
  • 1%: Central Institute for Experimental Animals' ownership stake in Forerunner Pharma Research Co., Ltd.
  • April 22, 2005: Planned operation starting date for Forerunner Pharma Research Co., Ltd.

Sources:

  • Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
  • Mitsui & Co., Ltd.
  • Central Institute for Experimental Animals
  • University of Tokyo Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology (RCAST)
  • Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Kyodo JBN/Asia Pulse 20-04 1101)