Tokyo: Chugai Pharma USA Inc. (CPUSA), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Japan's Chugai Pharmaceutical Co Ltd. has officially opened its new office, dedicated to translational clinical research, located in Berkeley Heights, NJ, USA.

The facility serves as the hub for Chugai, the research-based pharmaceutical company headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. Chugai initiated activities in the US in 1982; in response to increasing industry competition, CPUSA is now focused on early development and, in spring of this year established Chugai's Translational Clinical Research Division (TCRD).

TCRD is Chugai's first global organization composed of functions in Japan, Europe, and the US (CPUSA). TCRD is dedicated to the late preclinical and early clinical development of Chugai-originated pipeline products. It aims to accelerate the proof-of-concept process by bringing translational research-powered medicines to global development stage, and ultimately to market, as efficiently as possible.

"CPUSA is further evidence of Chugai's commitment to and belief in the potential of translational research to use best-in-class drug discovery techniques in the development of transformative, patient-focused therapies that fulfill unmet needs and improve patients' lives across the world," Osamu Nagayama, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Chugai.

"New Jersey's standing as a key market for pharmaceutical innovation will aid in the growth of our U.S. talent and operations, which will in turn support and further strengthen our pipeline of novel therapies designed to fulfill unmet needs and improve patients' lives across the world," said Norihisa Onozawa, President and Chief Executive Officer of CPUSA. "Our team is proud to contribute to Chugai's global work by inspiring and guiding its therapeutic development efforts to achieve new heights."

Chugai places strategic priority on advancing treatment in oncology, bone and joint diseases, renal diseases, and autoimmune diseases. A specific focus is placed on bringing innovative therapies to market for conditions where treatment options are limited and patients go underserved. Chugai works in the strategic alliance with Roche, leveraging its resources to pursue cutting-edge biopharmaceutical, antibody, and molecular-targeted research technologies-areas that constitute Chugai's greatest strengths-as well as chemical synthesis technology.