Print（PDF/60KB） Jun. 07, 2011 R&D

Collaborative Research on Apoptosis Inhibitor of Macrophages (AIM)

Dainippon Sumitomo Pharma Co., Ltd. (DSP; Headquarters: Osaka, Japan; President: Masayo Tada hereinafter called "DSP") and TRANS GENIC INC., Ltd. (Headquarters: Kumamoto City; CEO: Kenji Fukunaga hereinafter called "Trans Genic") today announced that both companies and The University of Tokyo (President: Junichi Hamada Ph.D.) signed an agreement for a research collaboration regarding Apoptosis inhibitor of macrophages (AIM).

The research group lead by Toru Miyazaki from The University of Tokyo Faculty of Medicine discovered that AIM (Apoptosis inhibitor of macrophages) is a molecule related to metabolic syndrome. Its potential as a biomarker and for innovative drug development is anticipated.

DSP signed a joint research agreement with The University of Tokyo in September 2010 to create new medicines for various diseases related to AIM. Trans Genic will participate in the AIM antibody part of this research, creating a new three-way research agreement.

The University of Tokyo and DSP continue to advance their joint research of AIM, while with the addition of Trans Genic, the three parties will progress research into the AIM antibody.

(Reference)

About AIM (Apoptosis inhibitor of macrophages)
AIM, produced from a macrophage, acts on fat cells and the macrophages itself. It was shown that AIM has a strong relation to metabolic syndrome since AIM regulates obesity by lipolysis of the accumulated neutral fat in fat cells. In addition, its anti-apoptotic effect on macrophages was reported to be a cause of the progression of arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries).