Press Release
Astellas, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma, and Daiichi
Sankyo Conduct “JOINUS,” a New Drug Discovery
Program Using Drug-Repositioning Compound
Library-Three Japanese pharmaceutical companies collaborate in facilitating drug
discovery in Japan through open innovation sharing of compounds
developed by the companies-

Tokyo and Osaka, October 11, 2017 - Astellas Pharma Inc. (President and CEO:Yoshihiko Hatanaka; Headquarters: Tokyo; TSE: 4503; “Astellas” ), Mitsubishi
Tanabe Pharma Corporation (President and CEO: Masayuki Mitsuka; Headquarters:Osaka; TSE: 4508; “Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma” ) and Daiichi Sankyo Company,
Limited (President and COO: Sunao Manabe; Headquarters: Tokyo; TSE: 4568;“Daiichi Sankyo” ) today announced that the companies will jointly conduct a program
called “JOINUS” (Joint Open INnovation of drUg repoSitioning) to discover new
therapeutic drugs using drug-repositioning compound libraries. The JOINUS program
will be carried out as a part of the companies’ open innovation activities.
In the JOINUS program, Astellas, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma, and Daiichi Sankyo
have generated compound library containing compounds for which development hasbeen terminated after implementation of clinical or preclinical studies and will offer
the library as a drug-repositioning compound library to Japanese research institutions
accepted to the program for evaluation via their respective in vitro1 assays.
In general, drug repositioning is a concept of drug reutilization and is intended to findindications different from the initially targeted one, and various compounds including
marketed drugs and those for which development has been terminated are examinedin drug repositioning. In contrast, the JOINUS program is intended to develop newdrugs from compounds that were not marketed.
In compound libraries previously provided to academia, a wide range of compounds
have been collected, including those for which pharmacological activities or safety
profiles have not been established yet, in consideration of structural diversity ofcompounds. Conversely, compounds contained in this library are those for which
their pharmacological activities have been demonstrated and their basic safety
1profiles have been confirmed. Therefore, if a compound in the library is found to havea beneficial pharmacological activity in a new assay, the compound is expected toenter clinical trials in a shorter period of time as compared with general drug
discovery approaches.
Astellas, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma, and Daiichi Sankyo hope that they will enhance
the possibility of developing new therapeutic drugs by facilitating open innovation
with research institutions in Japan through the use of the generated drugrepositioning compound library.
Overview of JOINUS
Eligible applicants:Researchers who belong to research institutions (e.g., universities,
public research organizations, and private-sector companies
including ventures) in Japan and can conduct research on theapplied research themes in Japan.
Data provided: Drug-repositioning compound library generated by the 3 companies(≥50 mechanisms of action)
No research funding is provided in the JOINUS program.
Application period: October 16, 2017, to November 17, 2017.
Selection period: November 20, 2017, to February 16, 2018.
Research period: Up to 1 year from the date of the contract
For more information, please visit websites of the companies. Japanese Only. (Theinformation provided on each company’s website is the same; applications will be
accepted by any of the companies.)
・Astellas: https://www.astellas.com/jp/a-cube/joinus/index.html
・Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma: https://open-innovation.mt-pharma.co.jp/joinus/
・Daiichi Sankyo: http://www.daiichisankyo.co.jp/corporate/rd/open/joinus/index.html(1) in vitro: In vitro studies are those performed in tubes or incubators with human or animal tissues totest drug response in artificial conditions mimicking in vivo environment..

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Contacts for inquiries or additional information:
Astellas Pharma Inc.
Corporate Communications
TEL: +81-3-3244-3201 FAX: +81-3-5201-7473
Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation
Corporate Communications DepartmentMedia contacts: TEL: +81-6-6205-5119
Investor contacts: TEL: +81 6 6205 5110
Daiichi Sankyo Company, Limited
Corporate Communications Department
TEL: +81-3-6225-1126

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