Daiichi Sankyo Company, Limited, a global pharmaceutical company, announced details of the application for its Take a New Challenge for Drug Discovery (TaNeDS) Global Programme 2014, a collaborative drug discovery initiative for universities and research institutes in Europe.

The TaNeDS programme was launched in Japan in 2011 to help discover new lines of research through open innovation. From 2013, it expanded abroad, opening up to researchers in Germany, Switzerland and Austria, and becoming known as the TaNeDS Global Programme. Now, in 2014, it has expanded further across Europe to include all EU member countries. The program is conducted with the aim of realizing Daiichi Sankyo’s corporate slogan of “Passion for Innovation. Compassion for Patients.” Through increasing collaborative opportunities with researchers in Europe. U3 Pharma GmbH, a wholly owned subsidiary of Daiichi Sankyo, is also participating in the programme in order to nurture the seeds of drug discovery for the next generation.

The TaNeDS Global Programme 2014:  Countries where research could be conducted: All EU member countries plus Norway and Switzerland.

Overview of research programmes: Daiichi Sankyo seeks innovative technological research collaborators for novel drug discovery and testing projects that could result in novel drug discovery and novel new drugs.

Research themes: 1) Cancer - New targeted and investigative research for small-molecule and biologic treatments (antibody drugs, etc.). 2) Cardiovascular and metabolic disorders - New mechanisms and drug treatments for obesity, kidney and renovascular-related disorders. 3) Other disorders - New mechanisms and drug treatments for genetic disorders, new drug treatments for pain, genetic analysis and new drug research for rare diseases. 4) Revolutionary drug discovery technology - New biologic technology, target molecules and delivery systems for nucleic acid treatments, new technology for drug development based on protein structural analysis.

Budget and period of research; Up to 150,000 euros per year for collaborative research projects lasting up to 2 years.

Eligibility; Researchers of any nationality employed by universities, research institutes and start-up companies within the EU, as well as Norway and Switzerland, who can conduct research in those countries on projects that match Daiichi Sankyo’s desired research themes.

Selection process: Daiichi Sankyo and U3 Pharma researchers will select research projects that match their research needs as well as demonstrate originality, potential and promise as drug discovery candidates.

Schedule: Application period: October 1 to November 15, 2014. First shortlist selection period: Mid-November to mid-December 2014. Second shortlist selection period: Mid-December 2014 to early February 2015. Start of research programmes: From mid-April 2015

Daiichi Sankyo is a global pharmaceutical company with corporate origins in Japan. The company provide innovative products and services in more than 50 countries around the world.