August 5, 2022
Asahi Kasei Pharma Corp.

Asahi Kasei Pharma is 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 5, 2023, and ends at 8:00 a.m. GMT on February 28, 2023.

Proposals are solicited in relation to new drug candidates and technologies in the therapeutic fields of autoimmune disease, renal disease, neurodegenerative disease, bone disease, and platform technologies for drug discovery such as pharmaceutical formulation and analysis method.

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.Autoimmune disease—new drug candidates and new drug discovery technologies
• 2.Renal disease—new drug candidates and new drug discovery technologies
• 3.Neurodegenerative disease—new drug candidates and new drug discovery technologies
• 4.Bone disease—new drug candidates
• 5.Platform technologies for drug discovery—pharmaceutical formulation, analysis methods and organic synthesis technologies

Funding:

Up to US$200,000 per year for each selected proposal

Research period:

1-3 year (milestones will be set for each year, and the content of the research will be reviewed as needed based on the research results)

Schedule and selection

Application period:

5:00 a.m. GMT on January 5 to 8:00 a.m. GMT on February 28, 2023

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

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