Print（PDF/88KB） Jun. 17, 2015 R&D

JCR and Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma Conclude a Feasibility Study Agreement on Application of the Blood-Brain Barrier Penetration Technology in Psychiatry and Neurology Area

JCR Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Ashiya, Hyogo; Chairman and President: Shin Ashida) (“JCR”) and Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Osaka, Osaka; President: Masayo Tada) (“Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma”) jointly announced that the two companies executed on June 17, 2015 a feasibility study agreement under which they will study the feasibility of applying JCR’s proprietary blood-brain barrier (BBB) penetration technology “J-Brain Cargo” to discovery of new treatment in the psychiatry and neurology area.

Under the terms of the agreement, JCR and Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma will perform collaborative research using the J-Brain Cargo technology and certain pharmaceutical candidate compounds of Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma’s choice, with a view to creating innovative pharmaceutical products in psychiatry and neurology area, where high unmet medical needs exist.

J-Brain Cargo enables delivery of target substances across the BBB through a certain receptor expressed on the surface of vascular endothelial cells. JCR study confirmed BBB penetration of J-Brain Cargo combined target substance as 20 to 100 times the target substance alone. It is an innovative technology which will provide pharmaceutical compounds of low to high molecules with the capacity to pass through the BBB. A substantially large portion of the pharmaceutical injected intravenously should be able to reach inside the brain and show its efficacy. Significant improvements are expected for psychiatric or neurological disorders for which little improvements have been possible.

Financial impacts of the conclusion of the agreement is minor on the consolidated performance for the year ending on March 31, 2016 of either company.

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[About JCR Pharmaceuticals]
JCR is a specialty pharma engaged in the research, development, manufacture and marketing of biopharmaceuticals and regenerative medicine with a focus on rare diseases. Its philosophy, “Contributing towards people’s healthcare through pharmaceutical products” drives JCR to create innovative pharmaceutical products as value-added treatment options for the under-served patient community.

[About Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma]
Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma's goal is to create innovative pharmaceutical products. Psychiatry & Neurology as well as Oncology represent our focus therapeutic areas containing significant unmet medical needs. It is channeling its R&D energies also into two new fields: diseases where no approved drugs exist as well as regenerative medicine/cell therapy.