Daiichi Sankyo to facilitate new Drug Discovery in 2014 through Collaborative Research and Grants

Daiichi Sankyo Company, Limited (TSE: 4568; hereafter Daiichi Sankyo) today announced its TaNeDS (Take a New challenge for Drug diScovery) collaborative drug discovery project for 2014. The company will select research partners for the project from among researchers based in Japan.

1 Background

To realize the objective of Daiichi Sankyo’s 5-year Business Plan (FY2013-2017), namely the development of a competitive pipeline for rapid and continuous creation of innovative new drugs, open innovation is actively progressing. One aspect of this strategy is the collaborative research and grant program TaNeDS, which was launched in 2011 and has since received numerous research theme proposals from across Japan, with various projects currently ongoing. Daiichi Sankyo will continue the program in 2014, seeking further drug discovery research possibilities by casting a wide net to find research themes and technologies that will result in the discovery of new drugs. Furthermore, following on from 2013, Daiichi Sankyo’s wholly owned subsidiary, Daiichi Sankyo RD Novare Co., Ltd. (hereafter, RD Novare), is again joining TaNeDS to promote the development of technology platforms for the next generation.

2 Overview of TaNeDS

(1) Multi-entrance

The TaNeDS project will accept entries for a range of themes, including exploratory research, collaborative research, early-stage drug discovery and concepts for inventions. Themes covering all stages, from the initial phase of research to practical use, will be accepted. In order to attract a variety of entries, both individual researchers and groups will be welcomed.

(2) Multi-exit

In order to efficiently realize practical uses from research results, a number of outcomes are foreseen, including further investigations into discovered results, collaborative research on drug creation, and utilization of OiDE projects* aimed at fostering intellectual property or technologies from a business viewpoint.

*Open innovation projects funded by the OiDE (Open innovation for the Development of Emerging technologies) fund, which is managed by Mitsubishi UFJ Capital.

3 Project overview

(1) How to apply

Two project types have been set up for 2014 based on the results of applications and projects adopted in 2013, and with the participation of RD Novare this year in mind.

A. Desired research themes by Daiichi Sankyo:

a) Drug discovery target verification – Research themes that will lead to the verification of new drug targets, regarding elements found in exploratory/discovery research, through methods including analysis of body functions and of pathology samples, will be accepted.

b) Drug discovery target investigation – Research themes that will lead to the discovery/identification of new drug targets, based on unique research tools or ideas, will be accepted.

c) Drug discovery technology development/verification – Research technology themes that help to revitalize or improve effectiveness of drug discovery research will be accepted.

d) Pharmaceutical technology – Research themes that will solve issues related to the pharmaceutical manufacturing process will be accepted.
Daiichi Sankyo will determine if feasibility studies with Daiichi Sankyo researchers (preliminary collaborative research) or collaborative research should be conducted based on proposed themes. Accepted themes will be selected for continuation based on results after the research period comes to close.

B. Desired research themes by RD Novare:

Research themes that will lead to the development of the novel technology platforms related to drug discovery and development will be accepted. Scientists at RD Novare work together on lead technologies being researched academically by applicants to establish leading edge technology platforms and biological evaluation methods.

(2) Desired research themes
A. Desired research themes by Daiichi Sankyo
a) Drug discovery target verification
1. Oncology
2. Cardiovascular metabolics (metabolic disease, heart disease and vascular disease)
3. Other disorders
4. Vaccines

b) Drug discovery target investigation
5. Oncology
6. Cardiovascular metabolics (metabolic disease, heart disease and vascular disease)
7. Other disorders
8. Vaccines

c) Drug discovery technology development/verification
9. Biologics
10. Pathology/vital imaging
11. Measuring technology
12. Drug safety
13. ADME (Drug Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, Excretion)
14. Pathology/in silico models related to drug effect estimates
15.Vaccines

d) Pharmaceutical technology
16. Biomedicine safety technology
17. Screening-related technology
18. New synthetic technology

B. Desired research themes by RD Novare
Drug discovery and development technology platform research

*For more information about the TaNeDS program, please visit the Daiichi Sankyo corporate website (in Japanese) at: http://www.daiichisankyo.co.jp/corporate/rd/taneds

(3) Who is eligible?

Researchers from universities and public research institutions who can conduct research in Japan

(4) Schedule

• Application period: May 19 to June 16, 2014
• First selection period: June 17 to July 31, 2014
• Second selection period: August 1 to September 30, 2014
• Contract negotiation: From October 1, 2014
• Start of research: Upon completion of contract