October 2010 - Antitope Ltd., Cambridge UK (“Antitope”) today announced a research collaboration with Chugai Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd of Tokyo, Japan (“Chugai”) whereby Antitope will apply its proprietary EpiScreenTM technology to profile the immunogenicity of therapeutic antibodies developed by Chugai as a part of their research and development programme.
“We are delighted to be working with Chugai to assist with their drug discovery programmes” said Dr Matthew Baker, Chief Scientific Officer and co-founder of Antitope, adding, “The EpiScreenTM technology will enable us to assist Chugai by providing a pre-clinical assessment of the immunogenicity of candidate therapeutic antibodies and proteins in order to select leads with low immunogenicity potential.”
About Antitope
Antitope Ltd. is a privately-held Cambridge UK-based biotechnology company specialising in immunogenicity testing and the engineering of therapeutic antibodies/proteins with reduced immunogenicity. Antitope’s proprietary EpiScreenTM technology provides for preclinical analysis of the immunogenicity potential of therapeutic antibodies and proteins. Antitope’s proprietary Composite Human AntibodyTM technology results in humanised antibodies devoid of T cell epitopes. Antitope has established multiple commercial relationships with leading biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies worldwide.
For further information on Antitope visit; http://www.antitope.co.uk or contact: Dr. Neil Butt Business Development Director, Antitope Ltd. Tel: +44 (0)1223 496190
About Chugai
Chugai Pharmaceutical, specialised in prescription pharmaceuticals and based in Tokyo, is one of Japan’s leading research-based pharmaceutical companies with strengths in biotechnology products. Since the start of the strategic alliance with Roche in October 2002, Chugai is actively involved in prescription pharmaceutical R&D activities in Japan and abroad as an important member of the Roche Group. Specifically, Chugai is working to develop innovative products with global applications, focusing on the disease areas of oncology, renal disease, and bone and joint. In Japan, Chugai’s research facilities in Gotemba and Kamakura are collaborating to develop new pharmaceuticals and Chugai’s Ukima facility 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 sales in 2009 of Chugai totaled 428.9 billion yen and the operating profit was 82.6 billion yen. Chugai is aiming at the consolidated sales of 460 billion yen and operating profit of 80 billion yen in 2012, as stated in mid-term business plan “Sunrise 2012".
Additional information is available on the Internet at http://www.chugai-pharm.co.jp/
