Chugai - A*STAR Joint Development Project for Anti-Dengue Virus Antibody Selected as Grant Recipient by the GHIT Fund
March 29 2017 - 7:01PM
Business Wire
Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (TOKYO:4519) and the Agency for
Science, Technology and Research, Singapore (A*STAR) announced
today that a joint research project between Chugai and A*STAR for
an anti-dengue virus antibody has been selected as a grant
recipient by the Global Health Innovative Technology Fund (GHIT
Fund). Chugai and A*STAR have been engaged in the joint research
since 2015.
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This project was born through the collaboration of Chugai
Pharmabody Research Pte. Ltd. (CPR), a research center of the
Chugai Group in Singapore, and A*STAR’s Singapore Immunology
Network (SIgN). The dengue virus that causes dengue fever is known
to have four different serotypes. SIgN researchers identified a new
human antibody that is highly effective in neutralizing the
activity of all four dengue virus serotypes, and CPR applied
Chugai’s proprietary antibody engineering technologies to optimize
the antibody. This project seeks to create a new antibody drug
against the dengue virus. It has been selected to receive US$5.3
million grant based on its recognition by the GHIT Fund for
contributing to the “fight against neglected tropical diseases in
developing countries.”
Dengue fever is a mosquito transmitted febrile disease that is
rapidly spreading in tropical and subtropical urbanized regions. In
severe cases, it progresses to the serious and lethal dengue
hemorrhagic fever or dengue shock syndrome. This disease is a
leading cause of hospitalization and death in many countries in
Asia and Latin America. According to the World Health Organization
(WHO), approximately 390 million people globally are infected with
the dengue virus each year, and although an estimated 500,000 of
these cases become severe and require hospitalization, there is
currently no effective drug for the treatment of dengue fever.
In order to contribute to the healthcare and health of the
people in the regions where the disease is rampant, which includes
many developing countries, this project seeks to establish
treatment methods for dengue fever such as the early alleviation of
the symptoms and prevention of lethal, severe cases of the
disease.
“Dengue research has always been a top priority at SIgN. Our
scientists are working to improve the diagnosis, prevention, and
therapies for dengue, and other mosquito-borne diseases. This has
led to the creation of a Lab-on-Chip for tropical infectious
diseases detection and has helped to explain why certain human skin
cells may facilitate the spread of dengue virus infection,” said
Lim Chuan Poh, Chairman of A*STAR. “A*STAR’s collaboration with
Chugai will continue to advance treatment for dengue and create
impactful healthcare outcomes. GHIT's support for this
public-private partnership is an endorsement of the strength of
this research project to combat one of the world’s major infectious
diseases.”
“Our mission is to ‘dedicate ourselves to adding exceptional
value through the creation of innovative medical products and
services for the benefit of the medical community and human health
around the world,’ and we are implementing initiatives to
contribute to global health,” said Osamu Nagayama, Chairman and CEO
of Chugai. “Our project selected for this grant is the result of
the collaboration of our proprietary antibody engineering
technologies and SIgN’s expertise in the biology of the dengue
virus. It is our hope that this completely new antibody will put a
stop to the spread of the dengue virus.”
About Global Health Innovative Technology Fund (GHIT
Fund)The Global Health Innovative Technology Fund (GHIT Fund)
was established in April 2013 with contributions from the Japanese
government, pharmaceutical industries, the Bill & Melinda Gates
Foundation, and the United Nations Development Programme with the
aim of taking control of infectious diseases spreading particularly
in developing countries such as AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, and
“neglected tropical diseases (NTDs)”. The GHIT Fund supports and
promotes the research and development of new drugs, vaccines, and
diagnostic drugs by promoting collaboration between Japanese and
overseas research organizations and providing grants.Detailed
information on the GHIT Fund is available on the Internet at
https://www.ghitfund.org/
About Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs)Neglected
Tropical Diseases (NTDs) are parasitic, bacterial and viral
infections spread mainly in tropical areas. It has been reported
that approximately one billion individuals are infected with NTDs
and half a million people die each year worldwide. NTDs are quite
rare in advanced countries so that they did not catch world’s
attention. Many NTDs are parasitic diseases and may cause severe
physical impairment such as deformity and blindness. Nonetheless,
they can be often prevented or treated.
About the Agency for Science, Technology and Research
(A*STAR)The Agency for Science, Technology and Research
(A*STAR) is Singapore's lead public sector agency that spearheads
economic oriented research to advance scientific discovery and
develop innovative technology. Through open innovation, we
collaborate with our partners in both the public and private
sectors to benefit society.As a Science and Technology
Organization, A*STAR bridges the gap between academia and industry.
Our research creates economic growth and jobs for Singapore, and
enhances lives by contributing to societal benefits such as
improving outcomes in healthcare, urban living, and
sustainability.We play a key role in nurturing and developing a
diversity of talent and leaders in our Agency and Research
Institutes, the wider research community and industry. A*STAR
oversees 18 biomedical sciences and physical sciences and
engineering research entities primarily located in Biopolis and
Fusionopolis.For more information on A*STAR, please visit
https://www.a-star.edu.sg/
About A*STAR’s Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN)The
Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN), officially inaugurated on 10
February 2006, is a research consortium under the Agency for
Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR)’s Biomedical Research
Council. The mandate of SIgN is to advance human immunology
research and participate in international efforts to combat major
health problems. Since its launch, SIgN has grown rapidly and
currently includes 200 scientists from 25 different countries
around the world working under 18 renowned Principal Investigators.
At SIgN, researchers investigate immunity during infection and
various inflammatory conditions including cancer and are supported
by cutting edge technological research platforms and core
services.Through this, SIgN aims to build a strong platform in
basic human immunology research for better translation of research
findings into clinical applications. SIgN also sets out to
establish productive links with local and international
institutions, and encourage the exchange of ideas and expertise
between academic, industrial and clinical partners and thus
contribute to a vibrant research environment in Singapore.For more
information about SIgN, please visit
https://www.a-star.edu.sg/sign/
About ChugaiChugai 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 the 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 2016 of Chugai totaled 491.8
billion yen and the operating income was 80.6 billion yen (IFRS
Core basis).Additional information is available on the internet at
https://www.chugai-pharm.co.jp/english.
About Chugai Pharmabody Research Pte. Ltd. (CPR)Chugai
Pharmabody Research (CPR) was established in Singapore as a
wholly-owned subsidiary of Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
(“Chugai”), Japan’ s leading biopharmaceutical company, in January
2012. CPR conducts research on the generation of new antibody drug
clinical candidates focusing on high value First-in-Class and
Best-in-Class antibodies for a variety of targets, and utilizing
Chugai’ s proprietary innovative antibody engineering technologies
such as the “Recycling Antibody” technology and the “Sweeping
Antibody” technology.Additional information is available on the
internet at https://www.chugai-pharmabody.com/.
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Agency for Science, Technology and Research
(A*STAR)For MediaMedia Relations,
Corporate CommunicationsSunanthar LuTel: +65-6517-1966E-mail:
Sunanthar_Lu@scei.a-star.edu.sg***Chugai
PharmaceuticalFor MediaChugai
Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.Media Relations Group, Corporate
Communications Dept.,Koki HaradaTel: +81-3-3273-0881E-mail:
pr@chugai-pharm.co.jp***For US
mediaChugai Pharma USA Inc.Casey AstringerTel:
+1-908-516-1350E-mail: pr@chugai-pharm.com***For European mediaChugai Pharma France SASNathalie
LeroyTel: +33-1-56-37-05-21E-mail: pr@chugai.eu***For Taiwanese mediaChugai Pharma Taiwan Ltd.Susan
Chou, Osamu KagawaTel: +886-2-2715-2000E-mail:
pr@chugai.com.tw***For InvestorsChugai
Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.Investor Relations Group, Corporate
Communications Dept.,Toshiya SasaiTel: +81-3-3273-0554E-mail:
ir@chugai-pharm.co.jp