Asahi Kasei Pharmais publicly calling for new proposals related to drug development research as part its efforts for open innovation, to promote pharmaceutical research and development through enhanced cooperation with universities, research institutes, and enterprises around the world. The application period begins on 5:00 a.m. GMT on January 7, 2020, and ends at 8:00 a.m. GMT on February 26, 2020.

Proposals are solicited in relation to new drug candidates and technologies in the therapeutic fields of chronic pain/neurodegenerative disease, autoimmune disease, critical care medicine, and bone/cartilage conditions, muscle-related disease, and platform technologies for drug discovery such as pharmacokinetics and pharmaceutical formulation. Submissions will be assessed with respect to their potential as concepts for collaborative research and fostering of research. Further information is available on Asahi Kasei Pharma's Open Innovation website:

www.asahikasei-pharma.co.jp/a-compass/en/

Asahi Kasei Pharma established its Open Innovation Department in October 2016 in order to further strengthen and enhance global licensing and alliance-building activities. Open Innovation works to establish licenses, alliances, and research collaborations related to candidate drug compounds up to the preclinical stage as well as advanced drug discovery technologies. The company believes that such efforts to advance drug discovery and research technology will further contribute to life and living for people around the world.

Outline of the call for proposals

Targeted applicants:

Researchers at universities, research institutes, and enterprises outside Japan
(researchers based in Japan should refer to the Japanese website)

Research areas and subjects:

• 1.Chronic pain/neurodegenerative disease—new drug candidates and new drug discovery technologies such as compound evaluation technologies
• 2.Autoimmune disease—new drug candidates
• 3.Critical care medicine—new drug candidates
• 4.Bone/cartilage conditions—new drug candidates, compound evaluation technologies, new drug discovery technologies such as new animal models
• 5.Muscle-related disease—new drug candidates
• 6.Structural analysis technologies, peptide drug discovery technologies, and organic synthesis technologies
• 7.Drug interaction and pharmacokinetics evaluation technologies for development candidate compounds
• 8.Preservation, sustained release, and oral absorption technologies for formulations of peptides or proteins

Funding:

Up to US$50,000 per year for each selected proposal

Research period:

1 year (exceptions may apply)

Schedule and selection

Application period:

5:00 a.m. GMT on January 7 to 8:00 a.m. GMT on February 26, 2020

First screening:

Submitted documents will be examined and applicants will be notified of results by e-mail approximately 1.5 months after the end of the application period

Second screening:

Selection will be based on information necessary to plan collaborative research and through interviews with applicants during the two-month period from the execution of a non-disclosure agreement, and applicants will be notified of results by e-mail approximately two months from the start of the second screening

Initiation of collaborative research:

Sequentially after execution of necessary agreements

Selection criteria:

Comprehensive judgment will be made in consideration of congruence with the targeted research subjects, possible conflicts with Asahi Kasei Pharma's existing drug discovery research, originality and usefulness of the proposed research, and feasibility of the research plan

Announcement of selected proposals:

The number of selected proposals will be disclosed on Asahi Kasei Pharma's Open Innovation website