Takara Bio has established an endowed chair in Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine for clinical development on cutting edge cancer immunotherapy

Jun 3, 2008 --- Takara Bio has established an endowed chair in Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine as of May 1, 2008 for pursuing clinical development of cancer immunotherapy.

In adoptive immunotherapy, the patient's own lymphocytes are activated and cultured ex vivo in order to enable the cells to attack cancer cells. The activated and expanded lymphocytes are administrated to the patient, which leads to destruction of cancer cells.

In the RetroNectin^® expansion culture system, lymphocytes are activated and expanded ex vivo by using RetroNectin^® in addition to interleukin-2 and anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody which have been conventionally used. Our previous studies demonstrate that not only can the number of lymphocytes be expanded more significantly by using RetroNectin^® expansion culture system, but also that the lymphocytes cultured by this system contain a higher portion of cells with a phenotype of naïve T cells, compared to those expanded without RetroNectin^®. Since it is also demonstrated that the lymphocytes cultured using RetroNectin^® are able to sustain longer in the body, they are expected to have higher ability to attack tumors.

This system has already been used by Tianjin Cancer Institute & Hospital, Tianjin Medical University and the Cancer Institute and Hospital (CIH), Chinese Academy of Medical Science in China, and Mie University School of Medicine.

Professor Yoshikawa's group has been conducting research and development of cancer immunotherapy and hyperthermia for clinical application at Kyoto prefectural University of Medicine. Based on the recent finding by the group that hyperthermia strengthens cancer immunity, the group is now pursuing both a basic and clinical approach on this new concept of hyperthermic immunotherapy.

In collaboration with Professor Yoshikawa's group, the company will promote clinical development of new type of cancer immunotherapy using RetroNectin^® by combining it with hyperthermia.

<Outline of the endowed chair>

Name: Department of Cellular Regulation of Cancer Immunity
Time Frame: May 1^st, 2008 to April 30^th, 2011
Takara Sponsored Grant: 150 million yen (50million yen x 3years)

Organization:
Professor, Toshikazu Yoshikawa, M.D., Ph.D.
Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine
Associate Professor, Satoshi Kokura M.D., Ph.D.
Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine

[ 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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