| February 3, 2010 |
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Teijin Signs Agreement for SanBio's New Drug for Stroke Therapy
-- Major Entry into Regenerative Medicine Market -- | |
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Teijin Limited announced today that it has signed an exclusive licensing agreement with SanBio, Inc., a U.S. developer of regenerative therapies for neurological disorders, to develop and sell in Japan SB623, which holds promise as a revolutionary drug for stroke therapy. Teijin has also taken an equity position in SanBio as part of the agreement.
Based on the results of pre-clinical and clinical trials conducted by SanBio, Teijin plans to begin clinical trials in Japan. The move marks the Teijin Group's major entry into the market for regenerative medicine.
Stroke is the third-leading cause of death in Japan, following only cancer and heart disease, and the number of patients suffering from stroke complications exceeds one million. Thanks to early detection and rehabilitation, as well as the development of therapies such as thrombolytic treatment, the number of stroke patients recovering from sequelae, or stroke-induced disorders and diseases, is on the rise. Nevertheless, a large number of stroke patients still suffer substantial motor impairment and thus require further treatment.
SanBio developed SB623 by processing bone marrow from donors for introduction into the brains of stroke patients, in order to promote regeneration of damaged central nervous neuronal cells. SB623 has shown remarkable positive results in mammal animals. Given the lack of established therapies for stroke sequelae, SB623 is a potentially revolutionary new drug for the recovery of lost function.
Regenerative medicine requires technology not only for the cells to be regenerated, but also the scaffold that stimulates tissue regeneration. The Teijin Group has been developing scaffold since 2002 by leveraging its well-established polymer and medical technologies.
Going forward, Teijin intends to expand its involvement in the regenerative market by developing medicines and treatments that improve the quality of life for people suffering from stroke and related sequelae.
About the Teijin Group
Based in Tokyo and Osaka, Japan, Teijin is a global technology-driven group operating in five main fields: synthetic fibers (polyester fibers, carbon fibers and aramid fibers); films and plastics; pharmaceuticals and home health care; trading and retail; and IT and new products. Teijin Limited, the holding company for the Teijin Group, is listed on the Tokyo and Osaka stock exchanges. The group had consolidated sales of USD 10.5 billion (JPY 943.4 billion, USD 1=JPY 90) in fiscal 2008 and employs 19,453 people worldwide, with 169 companies around the world.
About SanBio
Based in Mountain View, CA, United States, SanBio develops regenerative therapies for neurological disorders such as stroke, spinal cord injury, Parkinson's disease and multiple sclerosis. The company has pioneered and is the leader in the development of technology to convert donor bone marrow cells into various types of cells for use in regenerative medicine. SanBio's first product, SB623, is in the later stages of preclinical development for use in the treatment of stroke.
For further information, please contact:
Public Relations & Investor Relations Office
Teijin Limited
Tel: +81-3-3506-4055 / Fax: +81-3-3506-4150
E-mail: pr@teijin.co.jp
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