Astellas and IBL Concludes Co-Research Agreement Regarding Pharmaceutical Applications of Recombinant Human Proteins Made Using transgenic Silkworms
Tokyo, December 25, 2013 - Astellas Pharma Inc. ("Astellas") and Immuno-Biological Laboratories Co., Ltd. ("IBL") today announced that they have concluded a collaborative research agreement regarding pharmaceutical applications of recombinant human proteins made using transgenic silkworms.
In the collaborative research, Astellas and IBL will implement research and development with respect to a useful recombinant human protein made using transgenic silkworms, such as the examination and evaluation of the production method and the possibility of development as medicine. In addition, Astellas and IBL will discuss the collaboration for medicines based on the results of the collaborative research.
IBL has developed a production system for the efficient secretion of soluble recombinant proteins in the cocoon of transgenic silkworms and has succeeded in the production of various useful proteins including antibodies and human collagen. Currently, IBL is actively progressing with the commercialization of these proteins as raw materials for reagents in research, in vitro diagnostics, cosmetics and veterinary drugs.
This partnership is the realization of initiatives to utilize more external capabilities and resources, and to undertake for innovative modalities that Astellas promotes.
Through this collaborative research, IBL's technology for the stable and mass production of recombinant human proteins with complex structure from transgenic silkworms will become established in the production of new protein medicines, which we hope will lead to the development of new medicines.
