18 November 2016 | News | By BioSpectrum Bureau
Chugai strengthens investment in Singapore
Singapore: Chugai Pharmaceutical's research centre for therapeutic antibodies, Chugai Pharmabody Research (CPR), has complete five years in Singapore and the company plans to expand its investment to S$476 million until 2021.
The investment is to accelerate on-going research projects and development of novel antibody engineering technologies.
"The antibody engineering technologies at CPR has opened up the opportunity to create drug candidates that may bring significant improvements in treating diseases, which were previously considered impossible to treat using conventional antibodies, delivering hope to patients around the world," said Mr. Osamu Nagayama, Chairman and CEO, Chugai. "This has been possible because of the excellent environment and highly skilled talent Singapore provides for the industry to advance and push the boundaries of antibody drug discovery."
"Since the start of CPR's operation in 2012, my conviction has been strengthened that CPR's antibody technologies and their researchers are of world-class standing. Singapore's dynamic R&D and biomedical infrastructure lets them explore the best of their potential, steadily bearing first-in-class and best-in-class drug candidates as the fruits," said Sir David Lane, Chief Scientist, A*STAR and Chairman of the CPR Board. "I am very proud to be involved in discovering breakthrough products that will bring viable treatment options for many patients currently fighting debilitating disease worldwide and also build Singapore's presence as an international research hub."
Launched in 2012, CPR creates antibodies with Chugai's proprietary antibody engineering technologies such as the Recycling, Sweeping and Bispecific antibodies. Antibodies are created by the immune system to neutralize antigens, foreign substance or toxins, such as bacteria and viruses.
CPR employs around 100 employees and has ramped up the development activities for new drug candidates. One of CPR's antibody projects is currently under phase one trials with others in preparation for clinical development.