Daiichi Sankyo Further Expands TaNeDS Collaborative Drug Discovery Program in Europe

TOKYO, Sept. 1, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Daiichi Sankyo Company, Limited (Tokyo Stock Exchange: 4568; hereafter Daiichi Sankyo) announced on September 1 details of the application for its Take a New Challenge for Drug Discovery (TaNeDS) Global Programme 2014, a collaborative drug discovery initiative for universities and research institutes in Europe.

The TaNeDS program was launched in Japan in 2011 to help discover new lines of research through open innovation. From 2013, it expanded abroad, opening up to researchers in Germany, Switzerland and Austria, and becoming known as the TaNeDS Global Program. Now, in 2014, it has expanded further across Europe to include all EU member countries. The program is conducted with the aim of realizing Daiichi Sankyo's corporate slogan of "Passion for Innovation. Compassion for Patients.(TM)" through increasing collaborative opportunities with researchers in Europe. U3 Pharma GmbH (headquarters: Munich, Germany; hereafter, U3 Pharma), a wholly owned subsidiary of Daiichi Sankyo, is also participating in the program in order to nurture the seeds of drug discovery for the next generation.

About the TaNeDS Global Programme 2014

(1) Countries where research could be conducted:

All EU member countries plus Norway and Switzerland.

(2) Overview of research programs

Daiichi Sankyo seeks innovative technological research collaborators for novel drug discovery and testing projects that could result in novel drug discovery and novel new drugs.

(3) Research themes

1. Cancer

New targeted and investigative research for small-molecule and biologic treatments (antibody drugs, etc.).

2. Cardiovascular and metabolic disorders

New mechanisms and drug treatments for obesity, kidney and renovascular- related disorders.

3. Other disorders

New mechanisms and drug treatments for genetic disorders, new drug treatments for pain, genetic analysis and new drug research for rare diseases.

4. Revolutionary drug discovery technology

New biologic technology, target molecules and delivery systems for nucleic acid treatments, new technology for drug development based on protein structural analysis.

For more details, please visit the TaNeDS Global Programme page at: http://www.daiichisankyo.com/rd/taneds/index.html

(4) Budget and period of research

Up to 150,000 euros per year for collaborative research projects lasting up to 2 years.

(5) Eligibility

Researchers of any nationality employed by universities, research institutes and start-up companies within the EU, as well as Norway and Switzerland, who can conduct research in those countries on projects that match Daiichi Sankyo's desired research themes.

(6) Selection process

Daiichi Sankyo and U3 Pharma researchers will select research projects that match their research needs as well as demonstrate originality, potential and promise as drug discovery candidates.

(7) Schedule

Application period: October 1 to November 15, 2014
First shortlist selection period: Mid-November to mid-December 2014
Second shortlist selection period: Mid-December 2014 to early February 2015
Start of research programs: From mid-April 2015

Selection Results for the TaNeDS Global Program 2013

The application process for 2013 resulted in 2 projects being selected and those collaborations are currently underway.

(1) Applications 49
(2) Selected 2

The two selected laboratories, from the University of Wuertzburg in Germany and the Medical University of Innsbruck in Austria, are both conducting research in the field of cancer therapy.

About Daiichi Sankyo Company, Limited
Representative: Joji Nakayama, Representative Director, President and CEO
(Code No.: 4568, First Section, Tokyo Stock Exchange)

Contact:
Toshiya Kondo
Senior Director, Public Relations Group
Corporate Communications Department
Daiichi Sankyo Company, Limited
Tel: +81-3-6225-1126
kondo.toshiya.cj@daiichisankyo.co.jp
http://www.daiichisankyo.com