Chugai Expands in Singapore with Opening of Second Satellite Research Institute
? Move is in recognition of Singapore’s
standing as biomedical sciences hub
? New research company has potential to create
innovative antibody drugs with the potential of making dramatic
improvements in therapeutic effects using Chugai’s novel
antibody engineering technologies
13 July 2012, Singapore -
Chugai Pharmabody Research Pte. Ltd.
(“CPR”) today commemorated its opening in a
ceremony officiated by Singapore Minister for Trade & Industry,
Mr. Lim Hng Kiang. CPR, which started its operations in Singapore
on 2nd July 2012, is a research
company that is fully-owned by
Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
(“Chugai”). Chugai is one of Japan’s
leading research-based pharmaceutical companies and a world leader
in biotechnology.
“I would like to express
my heartfelt gratitude to the
Government of Singapore, the Ministry of Trade
and Industry, the Economic Development Board, and the Agency for
Science, Technology and Research for their invaluable support of
Chugai over the past 10 years,” said Mr. Osamu Nagayama,
Chairman & CEO of Chugai Pharmaceutical Co.
“Our first research centre here, PharmaLogicals Research, was
established in 2002 as a joint-venture and is making major progress
in research that contributes to drug discovery. The
opening of CPR represents our
company’s fourth satellite research
institute, following others in Japan, South Korea, and
Singapore,” he added.
“Chugai is proud to be among one of the leading
science-oriented companies that have decided to further strengthen
our presence in Singapore. We are honoured to welcome Sir David
Lane as the Chairman of the Board of CPR,” said Mr.
Nagayama. Sir David is the Chief Scientist of
A*STAR.
Mr. Nagayama also said that the decision to set up CPR here was due
to Singapore’s excellent position as an important hub for
biomedical science, its scientific infrastructure and
highly-skilled multinational talent.
Innovative technologies and investment
CPR will utilise Chugai’s state-of-the-art, proprietary
antibody engineering technologies to
generate new antibody
candidates with the
potential of making significant
improvements in therapeutic effects
in numerous diseases which were
previously considered impossible with conventional
antibodies.
“Our new technologies, called
recycling and sweeping antibody
technologies, are extremely important
achievements in our more than
20-year history of activities in
biopharmaceutical research,” said Mr. Nagayama.
CPR was established with an
initial investment of S$1.5 million
and Chugai is also looking to
invest approximately S$200 million in
Singapore on antibody research over the
next five years.
“We are immensely excited by the potential for CPR to create
innovative antibody drugs with dramatic improvements in therapeutic
effects that could have a wide-ranging impact on the improvement of
healthcare around the world. My sincere wish is for
government agencies and the industry to cooperate
continuously to promote economic growth and healthcare
for the well-being of all,” he said.
– Ends –
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 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 Ukima is
conducting research for technology
development for industrial
production. Overseas, Chugai
Pharma USA and Chugai Pharma Europe are engaged
in clinical development activities in the United States and
Europe.
The consolidated revenue in 2011 of Chugai totaled 373.5 billion
yen (about six billion Singapore Dollars) and
the operating income was 62.4
billion yen (about one billion Singapore
Dollars). We are aiming at the consolidated revenue of 418.5
billion yen and
operating income of 80 billion yen in 2012.
Additional information is available at http://www.chugai-pharm.co.jp/english.
Posted: July 2012
