Daiichi Sankyo selects research partners for TaNeDS collaborative drug discovery project

Daiichi Sankyo Company, Limited (hereafter, Daiichi Sankyo) today announced that it has selected research partners for its 2014 TaNeDS (Take a New challenge for Drug diScovery) collaborative drug discovery project.

TaNeDS, which began in 2011 as part of Daiichi Sankyo’s open innovation program, selects researchers from universities and public research centers in Japan, and Daiichi Sankyo will soon begin signing agreements with this year’s selected parties to initiate collaborative research.

1. Total entries: 234

2. Selected parties: 24

3. Selections by entry type

* Daiichi Sankyo RD Novare Co., Ltd. (hereafter, RD Novare), Daiichi Sankyo’s wholly owned subsidiary, joined TaNeDS to promote the development of novel technology platforms for drug discovery from 2013.

4. Selections by research theme

For reference: 2014 TaNeDS project overview (from March 25, 2014, press release)

1. Project overview

(1) How to apply

Two project types have been set up for 2014 based on the results of applications and projects adopted in 2013, and with the participation of RD Novare this year in mind.

*Project duration subject to change based on research.

A. Desired research themes by Daiichi Sankyo:

  a) Drug discovery target verification – Research themes that will lead to the verification of new drug targets, regarding elements found in exploratory/discovery research, through methods including analysis of body functions and of pathology samples, will be accepted.

  b) Drug discovery target investigation – Research themes that will lead to the discovery/identification of new drug targets, based on unique research tools or ideas, will be accepted.

  c) Drug discovery technology development/verification – Research technology themes that help to revitalize or improve effectiveness of drug discovery research will be accepted.

  d) Pharmaceutical technology – Research themes that will solve issues related to the pharmaceutical manufacturing process will be accepted.

Daiichi Sankyo will determine if feasibility studies with Daiichi Sankyo researchers (preliminary collaborative research) or collaborative research should be conducted based on proposed themes. Accepted themes will be selected for continuation based on results after the research period comes to close.

B. Desired research themes by RD Novare:

Research themes that will lead to the development of the novel technology platforms related to drug discovery and development will be accepted. Scientists at RD Novare work together on lead technologies being researched academically by applicants to establish leading edge technology platforms and biological evaluation methods.

(2) Desired research themes

A. Desired research themes by Daiichi Sankyo

a) Drug discovery target verification

      i.  Oncology

　    ii.  Cardiovascular metabolics (metabolic disease, heart disease and vascular disease）

　　 iii.  Other disorders

　　 iv. Vaccines

 b) Drug discovery target investigation

　　  v.  Oncology

　 　 vi. Cardiovascular metabolics (metabolic disease, heart disease and vascular disease)

　　 vii. Other disorderｓ

　　 viii. Vaccines

c) Drug discovery technology development/verification

　 　ix. Biologics

　　 x.  Pathology/vital imaging　

　　 xi.  Measuring technology

    xii.  Drug safety

    xiii. ADME (Drug Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, Excretion)

    xiv. Pathology/in silico models related to drug effect estimates

    xv.  Vaccines

 d) Pharmaceutical technology

   xvi.  Biomedicine safety technology

   xvii. Screening-related technology

   xviii. New synthetic technology

B. Desired research themes by RD Novare

Drug discovery and development technology platform research

 (3) Who is eligible?

Researchers from universities and public research institutions who can conduct research in Japan

 (4) Schedule

Application period:                May 19 to June 16, 2014

First selection period:           June 17 to July 31, 2014

Second selection period:     August 1 to September 30, 2014

Contract negotiation:            From October 1, 2014

Start of research:                  Upon completion of contract

*For more information about the TaNeDS program, please visit the Daiichi Sankyo corporate website (in Japanese) at: http://www.daiichisankyo.co.jp/corporate/rd/taneds (Japanese only)