Chiome Bioscience Inc (Chiome) and Chugai Pharmaceutical Co, Ltd (Chugai) have concluded a joint research agreement on the identification of monoclonal antibodies for multiple target proteins held by Chugai on November 1st.

Chiome and Chugai will identify monoclonal antibodies quickly and efficiently against multiple targets selected from a series of disease-associated proteins held by Chugai through the use of the ADLib (Autonomously Diversifying Library) System held by Chiome. Such monoclonal antibodies are expected to have new additional values attributed to distinctive properties of the system and will be applied to pharmaceutical research of therapeutic antibodies in Chugai. On the basis of this agreement, Chugai will pay a contractual up-front payment to Chiome and will also pay milestone compensations in accordance with the results of the research. Other contractual conditions are not being made public. Chiome and Chugai have contracted a research collaboration agreement since July 2007, but under this agreement, the scope and number of the targets will be expanded and the collaborative research activities will be continuously performed.

Dr Masaaki Fujiwara, president and CEO of Chiome said, "I am extremely happy that Chugai has positively assessed the results provided by the ADLib System in the previous joint research and that the multi-year and bigger present joint research agreement has been concluded. We have already established some technologies related to the system including an antibody screening method against antigen presenting cells, which will be applied to this joint research in order to accelerate identification of innovative antibodies. We will challenge and overcome the tough antigens against which no specific antibody has been identified yet."

Dr Mikio Arisawa, senior vice president, head of Portfolio Management Unit of Chugai stated, "We have recognized the competitive advantages of the ADLib System and will strengthen the collaborative relationship with Chiome in order to expedite the development of global therapeutic antibody products. We are expecting the outcomes generated by the ADLib System as one of the most revolutionary Japan-oriented platform technologies."

Chiome and Chugai will shorten the lead time and improve the quality/speed of the development of therapeutic antibodies by maximizing the synergistic effects of the ADLib System and the capability of Chugai's research and development of therapeutic antibodies through the collaboration.

Chiome was established in February 2005 after receiving authorization as a RIKEN venture enterprise whose aim is the commercialization of the ADLib System.

Chugai Pharma specialized in prescription pharmaceuticals and based in Tokyo, is one of Japan's leading research-based pharmaceutical companies with strengths in biotechnology products.