The National Cancer Center (NCC) and Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited have signed an agreement with the goal to discover and develop superior, innovative anti-cancer agents originated in Japan and deliver them to cancer patients and their families as quickly as possible.

The objectives of the agreement are to contribute to the development of basic research including studies on pathogenesis and drug susceptibility of cancer by promoting exchanges among researchers, physicians, and others engaged in anti-cancer drug discovery and cancer biology research.

Takeda and the NCC have agreed to share information and hold regular discussions in order to collaborate and transition findings from basic research to clinical research and development activities, leveraging the strengths of both parties.

Furthermore, in an effort to deepen their cooperation, Takeda has participated in the national academic-industrial collaboration genomic screening project “SCRUM-Japan” led by the NCC. This project involves nation-wide medical institutions and pharma industry to collaborate to screen oncogene abnormalities. Through access of the genetic and medical information database generated by this project, Takeda and NCC expect research and development of new medicines will be accelerated.

“NCC is expecting a lot to be newly created by exchanging an agreement for the partnership with Takeda,” said Hitoshi Nakagama, M.D., director, National Cancer Center Research Institute. “By sharing bio-resources, including various types of cancer cell lines and animal models, biological and biochemical techniques for functional screenings, and huge amounts of clinical materials attached with detailed pathological and clinical information, further acceleration for development of Japan-oriented novel medicine and diagnostics is expected to be promptly achieved.
“Takeda is so pleased to partner with the NCC,” said Michael Vasconcelles, M.D., head, Oncology Therapeutic Area Unit, Takeda.

“By leveraging NCC’s clinical research with Takeda’s technology infrastructure and tools for drug discovery, we hope that together we can have greater impact in a shorter amount of time to bring innovative treatments to the oncology community.”