 |
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
| September 3, 1999 |
|
| Establishment of a Venture Company on the Analysis
of functional genomics of human |
|
Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation
Yoshitomi Pharmaceutical Industries, Ltd.
Kyowa Hakko Kogyo Co., Ltd. |
|
Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation (Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, President: Kanji Shono) established
GenCom Co., an R&D type venture company for the analysis of human gene function,
jointly with Yoshitomi Pharmaceutical (Osaka, President: Akio Kamakura) and Kyowo
Hakko (Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, President: Tadashi Hirata) as of September 2, 1999.
The technology was developed based on the achievement of Mitsubishi Kasei Institute
of Life Sciences, a wholly owned subsidiary of Mitsubishi Chemical (Machida City,
Tokyo, President: Akira Miura). GenCom Co. will apply the government fund based
on the capital investment system for R&D company of Japan Key Technology Center
in the middle of September.
The main purposes of GenCom Co. are commissioned research works of genome recombination
of experimental animals, research works for the analysis of human genome by the
analysis of protein-protein interaction and the production of humanized model
mouse. Business actions will be commenced targeting for pharmaceutical and chemical
companies as well as for the public and private research institute.
Analyses of DNA sequence of human genome which have been conducted in many countries
will be completed in the beginning of 21st Century, and the focus of genome science
is shifting from structural analyses of genome and human gene to the analysis
of their functions and networks. Big numbers of the structural information of
genome and human gene are affected to the industrial areas, when their functions
are solved, and keen international competitions have been started.
GenCom Co. will provide with the information on the functions of human gene and
network of human genome, and so-called human type model animals which equip human
gene. These products are expected to provide with new methods of drug creation
in the 21st Century. For example, it makes the determination of target genes for
the treatment of diseases and the production of model animals which is very close
to the human diseases easier, and makes the development of new drugs much more
efficiently. In addition to the various evaluation relating to the new drug development,
this new technology must contribute to the development of health and environment
industries of 21st Century such as new methods against the endcrinical disturbance
by chemicals and carcinogenicity.
For your information, GenCom Co. is the first venture company established based
on the basic technology of Mitsubishi Kasei Institute of Life Sciences. It means
accumulated technologies of the Institute will be utilized in the wide range of
areas.
[Gist of the New Company]
| 1. |
Company Name: |
GenCom Co. |
| 2. |
Head Office: |
11, Minami-Ohtani, Machida City, Tokyo, Japan |
| 3. |
President: |
Toshikatsu Kobayashi
(Former Assistant General Manager, Mitsubishi Kasei Institute of Life Sciences) |
| 4. |
Established: |
September 2, 1999 |
| 5. |
Capital: |
 100 million |
| 6. |
Stock holders: |
| Mitsubishi Chemical |
66.7% |
| Yoshitomi Pharmaceuticals |
16.7% |
| Kyowa Hakko Kogyo |
16.7% |
|
| 7. |
Contents of Business: |
|
|
 |
Gene recombination of experimental animals and commissioned
research of the analysis of human gene function by protein-protein mutual action
|
|
Production of humanized model animals |
|
| 8. |
Employees: |
About 50 |
| For further information, please contact |
| Public Relations Office; |
| Mitsubishi Chemical |
| Tel: [+81] 3-3283-6254 |
| Public Relations Department; |
| Yoshitomi Pharmaceutical |
| Tel: [+81] 6-6201-1696 |
| Public Relations Department; |
| Kyowa Hakko Kogyo |
| Tel: [+81] 3-3282-0980 |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
