Proteom establishes business partnership with SC BioSciences in Japan

Cambridge, UK (12 September 2002) Proteom, the Cambridge based bioinformatics company, announced today that it has entered into an agreement with SC BioSciences Corporation (Tokyo, Japan) for SC BioSciences Corporation to manage the introduction of Proteom’s technology to Japanese pharmaceutical and biotech companies.

The importance of bio-informatics and genomics to the Japanese pharmaceutical industry was apparent during a recent Department of Trade/BioIndustry Association sponsored mission to Japan. In particular many Japanese companies appear poised to invest in and develop 2^nd and 3^rd generation ‘smart informatics’ in order to enhance their competitive position.

SC BioSciences Corporation provides a business support service to companies based in Europe and the USA wishing to introduce and promote their technology into Japan. It is hoped that through this arrangement, Proteom will soon enter into a series of commercial agreements with Japanese companies wishing to utilise its technology.

Proteom is one of the world’s foremost new generation of ‘smart informatics’ companies whose technology allows early stage drug discovery to be carried out in silico (within the computer) allowing for significant acceleration of the drug discovery process coupled to cost efficiency.

Proteom had previously indicated its commitment to the Japanese market by establishing a business support office in Tokyo (Y’s Office).

Gareth Roberts, Proteom’s CEO, said:

“We are very pleased to have established this relationship with SC BioSciences Corporation. Japan is a very important market for us with many highly respected research based pharmaceutical companies. With a local presence, we will now be better able to expand and develop our relationships with Japanese pharmaceutical companies. SC BioSciences Corporation is experienced in evaluating breakthrough technologies and has a significant profile in the Japanese market.”

Hirotugo Watabe, General Manager of SC BioSciences Corporation, said:

“Proteom’s unique and excellent technology must be one of the best solutions for Japanese Pharmaceuticals. Since speed of drug discovery together with concentration of resource and cost is essential, the realistic in silico technology will prove very useful for current research. SC BioSciences is very excited to be able to introduce it into Japan.“

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For further information please contact:

Proteom

Dr. Gareth W Roberts
Chief Executive Officer
Tel: +44 (0) 1223 496180
gwroberts@proteom.com 

SC BioSciences Corporation

Hirotugu Watabe
General Manager
New Business Promotion
Tel: +81(3)5777-6668

hwatabe@scbio.co.jp 

Y’s Office

Yoko Tokishita
Managing Director
Tel: +81 (3) 3523 6687

BYC04731@nifty.ne.jp 

About Proteom Limited

Proteom, based in Cambridge UK, is a bioinformatics company which is defining the rules by which proteins interact. It is able to use its proprietary technology to design peptide ligands (as therapeutics, the basis for molecule design and components of high throughput screens), identify binding sites on proteins and define protein-protein interactions.

Its technology is validated in biological systems and Proteom is seeking to work with companies either designing peptides to proteins of interest in their drug discovery programmes or under a more collaborative relationship, particularly with companies with synergistic technologies such as peptide delivery or chemi-informatics. More information is available on its website (www.proteom.com).

Proteom Ltd, Babraham Hall, Babraham, Cambridge CB2 4AT, UK

Tel:  +44 (0)1223 496180, Fax: +44 (0)1223 496181

About SC BioSciences Corporation Corporation

SC BioSciences, based in Tokyo, is a world wide trading company for cutting-edge biological technology.  Our mission is Import and export of new products and services and investment in biological area.

Our company has various subsidiaries, collaborates and our laboratory. SC Biosciences is one stop shop and provides every solution: import , export, maintenance, collaboration and consult.

Izumi Shiba-Daimon Bldg. 3F 2-2-11, Shiba-Daimon, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 105-0012 Japan

Tel: +81(3)5777 6668, Fax: +81(3)5777 6889

About Y’s Office

Y’s Office was established in Tokyo in 1997 with the objective of providing business support to European and North American companies wishing to establish a business presence in Japan. Often this provides a useful first step before companies commit the substantial resources required to establish a subsidiary or directly managed sales office. Y’s Office has several technology based clients including QED, a technology transfer company and Walker Filtration, an industrial products manufacturer.