Kissei Entered into an Agreement with Nuon Therapeutics, Inc on Tranilast (Product Name: Rizaben®)

Kissei Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (President and CEO: Mutsuo Kanzawa) announced that it entered into an agreement with Nuon Therapeutics, Inc. in California, US (hereinafter, "Nuon Therapeutics") concerning research and development as well as manufacturing and marketing for "tranilast" (product name: Rizaben^®), which was discovered and is marketed by Kissei, in the field including autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis.

After the launch of tranilast (product name: Rizaben^®) for the indication of bronchial asthma as a first oral agent in Japan in 1982, the indications of allergic rhinitis and atopic dermatitis were added and the agent has been widely used for allergic diseases. In addition, the indication of keloid/hypertrophic scar was added in 1993, and it is used also in the field of plastic surgery. Furthermore, Rizaben eye drop launched in 1995 is widely used for allergic conjunctivitis. Because tranilast shows anti-allergic effects through inhibiting the release of chemical mediators from mast cells, etc. and it has unique characteristics including showing efficacy for the treatment of keloid/hypertrophic scar, application to other disease areas has been possible.
　
The field described by the collaboration includes autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis. The application of tranilast to multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis has been evaluated by experts including Prof. Steinman of Stanford University and Prof. Feldman of the Imperial College in London, and interesting research results have been reported.

Nuon Therapeutics is performing research and development on new uses of tranilast including multiple sclerosis based on these research results. Considering that prompt and efficient development is possible utilizing both non-clinical and clinical data owned by Kissei, Nuon decided to collaborate with Kissei.

Under this agreement, Kissei acquired an exclusive option to obtain the rights in Japan and Korea for research and development as well as manufacturing and marketing tranilast for autoimmune diseases including multiple sclerosis based on research on new uses for tranilast obtained by Nuon Therapeutics.


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Summary Information on Nuon Therapeutics, inc.
Headquarters: California, US
Established: 2002
CEO: Dr. Rodney Pearlman
Number of Employees: 6
URL: http://www.nuontherapeutics.com