PRINCETON, N.J., Sept. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- In what promises to be a new era in skincare marketing, Signum Biosciences, a private biotechnology company with an extensive program to develop Signal Transduction Modulation (STM) anti-inflammatory molecules, has signed investment and licensing agreements with Rohto Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. of Osaka, Japan, a publicly traded manufacturer and marketer of skincare, pharmaceutical and other healthcare related products
The agreements, which provide Signum with combined upfront license fees and investment funds in the seven figures, give Rohto a non-exclusive right to develop and sell products in Japan that contain Signum’s anti-inflammatory compound Arazine, the lead molecule involving the company’s signal transduction modulation technology.
The parties have agreed to immediately enter negotiations for an exclusive license for the Japanese market. Rohto and Signum also have undertaken a broad R&D collaboration to develop an array of Arazine based products that draw on the compound’s triple-action capabilities.
The science of staying healthy comes to skin care.
Arazine works with the body’s cellular management systems in three distinct ways:
It blocks inflammation and neutrophil infiltration in chronic redness, acne skin irritation, and other skin conditions by modulating GPCR signal transduction pathways.
It acts as an antioxidant to neutralize free radicals and prevent UV damage, cellular degeneration and production of chemicals that cause further damage.
Through both its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, Arazine reverses the effects of chronic irritation to moderate effects of skin aging.
Dr. Gregory Stock, Signum Biosciences CEO commented: “Rohto is an ideal partner to develop skincare products using our STM technology. They have a strong emphasis on quality, they excel at product development, and the Japanese consumer is very discerning. Our collaboration will produce exciting products in 2009 that open up a new category of skincare agents.”
Kunio Yamada, President and CEO of Rohto stated: “Signum’s STM technology is impressive, and we are happy to get the Japanese rights to it. Our broad alliance with Signum has extraordinary potential, and as a result I’ve agreed to serve on Signum’s Board of Directors and I have invited Signum to establish a laboratory in RVK (Research Village Kyoto), our R&D facility.”
About Signum Biosciences.
Signum Biosciences is a private biotechnology company dedicated to developing small-molecule therapeutics derived from its Signal Transduction Modulation (STM) platform to modulate signal transduction imbalances. Through research on protein networks that control biological systems, Signum is developing therapeutic candidates for Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, diabetes, asthma and certain skin conditions. Signum’s STM technology provides many opportunities for the development of novel consumer products and pharmaceutical candidates. For more information please visit the Signum website: www.signumbiosciences.com.
About Rohto Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
Rohto Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. is among the largest manufacturers and marketers of pharmaceutical and other healthcare products in Japan. Founded in 1899, the company is based in Osaka, Japan. Production sites include facilities in the U.S., Europe, Latin America, China and Southeast Asia with product distribution to over 150 countries including all of Asia, the Americas and Europe. In 1988 the company acquired management rights to prominent U.S. manufacturer, The Mentholatum Company, Inc. Corporate sales revenue in the latest fiscal year exceeded US$ 1 Billion. The President and CEO, Mr. Kunio Yamada, is a fourth generation leader of the company. For more information please visit the Rohto website: www.rohto.co.jp/global .
CONTACT: Lee Humphreys of Signum Biosciences, +1-732-329-6344 x204
Web site: http://www.signumbiosciences.com/
http://www.rohto.co.jp/global/
