November 20, 2024
Chiome Bioscience Inc.
Asahi Kasei Pharma Corp.

Chiome Bioscience Inc. (Head office: Shibuya, Tokyo; President: Shigeru Kobayashi; hereinafter “Chiome”) and Asahi Kasei Pharma Corporation (Head office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President: Yoshikazu Aoki; hereinafter “Asahi Kasei Pharma”) today announced that they have entered into an exclusive license agreement to develop and commercialize Chiome’s humanized anti-CX3CR1 antibody (hereinafter referred to “PFKR” as Chiome’s project code), currently in the preclinical stage.

Under the terms of the agreement, Asahi Kasei Pharma has acquired worldwide exclusive rights to develop and commercialize PFKR from Chiome. Chiome may be eligible for upfront payment and up to approx. ¥24.8 billion for potential development, regulatory, and commercial milestones, as well as royalty payments depending on sales.

PFKR is a humanized antibody developed using Chiome’s antibody production technology. PFKR inhibits the function of CX3CR1, a type of G protein coupled receptor that induces the migration of immune cells to inflammatory sites. The agreement announced today is expected to maximize the value of PFKR by accelerating its development and commercialization.

By creating an innovative therapeutic drug, Chiome and Asahi Kasei Pharma aim to continue to solve unmet medical needs for patients with intractable diseases.

About Chiome Bioscience Inc.

Chiome is a biotech company engaged in generating innovative therapeutic antibodies by ultimately utilizing its proprietary technical and know-how related to protein/antibody engineering. Chiome has been engaged in developing the Drug Discovery Business, which aims to discover innovative antibody therapeutics, and the Drug Discovery Support Business, which provides high-quality technical services to pharmaceutical companies. In the Drug Discovery Business, Chiome strives to develop innovative new therapeutic antibodies and maximize revenue stream by earning license fees from pharmaceutical companies and other stakeholders.
To learn more - https://www.chiome.co.jp/

About Asahi Kasei Pharma Corporation

In accordance with the Asahi Kasei Pharma Mission of “to sincerely care for each individual life and solve their unmet medical needs with a wealth of ideas and solid science”, Asahi Kasei Pharma operates pharmaceutical and diagnostic businesses in the Health Care Business Unit of the Asahi Kasei Group. Asahi Kasei Pharma has developed numerous innovative drugs in the field of immunology and rare diseases, contributing to society by providing such products to patients who suffer from diseases.
To learn more - https://www.asahi-kasei.co.jp/pharma/en

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