Start of clinical research of cancer immunotherapy using RetroNectin^® expansion culture system at Tianjin Cancer Institute & Hospital, China

Apr 30, 2008 --- Takara Bio Inc.(President and CEO: Ikunoshin Kato, Ph.D.) has entered into a collaboration agreement with Tianjin Cancer Institute & Hospital, Tianjin Medical University(President: Xishan Hao, M.D.) as of October 9, 2007. Under this agreement, Tianjin Cancer Institute & Hospital has started clinical research of cancer immunotherapy by T cell expansion culture system using RetroNectin^® in China.

Five patients have been enrolled in this clinical research, including two renal cancer, one lung cancer, one liver cancer and one thyroid cancer. Four patients received two cycles of lymphocyte infusion and one patient has finished all three cycles of lymphocyte infusions. Up to now, no severe adverse events were observed and all patients'clinical symptoms were relieved. The size of tumor as measured by CT scan shrank in about half degree in one patient with lung cancer, who received two cycles of infusion. Tianjin Cancer Institute & Hospital will continue the clinical research which will enroll total 20 patients.

Tianjin Cancer Institute & Hospital and Takara Bio plans to present these results jointly in China.

[ About Takara Bio Inc. ]

Takara Bio Inc. is an innovative biotechnology company based in Shiga, Japan. As a world leader in biotechnology research and development, Takara Bio was the first company to market PCR technology in Japan and is also the developer of the RetroNectin^® reagent, which is a world-standard in gene therapy protocols. In addition to providing research reagents and equipment to the life science research market, Takara Bio has active research and product development activities in the fields of gene and cell-based therapy, and agricultural biotechnology; and is committed preventing disease and improving the quality of life for all people through the use of biotechnology. Through strategic alliances with other industry leaders, the Company aims to extend its reach around the world. More information is available at http://www.takara-bio.com.

This article is translated from press release in Japanese for your convenience.

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