June 16, 2023

MPH was Selected for AMED’s Strengthening Program for PharmaceuticalStartup Ecosystem Initiative
Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation (Head Office: Chuo-ku, Osaka; Representative
Director: Akihiro Tsujimura; hereinafter, “MTPC”), a member of the Mitsubishi
Chemical Group, announced today that MP Healthcare Venture Management(hereinafter, “MPH”), the corporate venture capital (CVC) of MTPC, was selected as acertified venture capital (certified VC) of Strengthening Program for thePharmaceutical Startup Ecosystem Initiative. This program is implemented by theJapan Agency for Medical Research and Development (hereinafter, “AMED”), andMPH entered into an agreement with AMED on June 16, 2023. This is the first time fora major domestic pharmaceutical company’s CVC to be selected.
The development of new drugs requires a significant amount of funding. In Japan, it ischallenging for drug discovery startup companies to secure the necessary
development funds compared to Europe and the United States. AMED has initiatedthis project to address the shortage of large-scale development funds for startup
companies. AMED certificates venture capital firms that provide funding and hands-on
support for drug commercialization and supports startup companies on the condition
that the certificated VC provides the funding.
MPH invests in and supports the activities of start-ups in Japan, the United States,and Europe that are engaged in the development of innovative therapies, primarily
focusing on neurology, immuno-inflammation, and oncology. Since 2021, MPH has
been investing in Liberothera Co., Ltd. and Edit Force, Inc. which are drug discovery
startup companies in Japan.
Recognizing the importance of leveraging its development experience throughinvestments in promising start-ups, particularly in the United States and Europe, tostrengthen the pharmaceutical startup ecosystem in Japan, MPH applied to become acertified VC for this project. As a result of the review conducted by AMED, MPH hasbeen selected.
Over the course of the 2-year contract period, MPH will collaborate with promising
drug discovery ventures in Japan to strive for selection in this project. If selected,
AMED will provide funding for non-clinical studies, Phase 1, Phase 2 and exploratory
clinical studies conducted by the venture companies up to twice the amount of MPH’sinvestment.
Through this project, MTPC group aims to contribute to strengthening thepharmaceutical ecosystem in Japan and provide hope to all those facing illness.
Contact:
Mitsubishi Chemical Group Corporation
Corporate Communications Division
Osaka Corporate Communications Department+81-6-6205-5119
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For further information about the Strengthening Program for Pharmaceutical
Startup Ecosystem Initiative, please refer to the public disclosure on
AMED’s website (Japanese only).
https://www.amed.go.jp/program/list/19/02/005.html

About MP Healthcare Venture Management (MP Healthcare VentureManagement, Inc.)
MPH is based in Boston, U.S. and collaborates with healthcare entrepreneurs andinvestors to support the development of new technologies and therapies. It
primarily invests in new therapeutic agents based on cutting-edge science, andseed and early stage biotechnology companies developing platform technologies
in Japan, the United States, and Europe. Current areas of therapeutic interest
include neurodegenerative, immunologic, oncology and rare diseases. MPH is awholly-owned subsidiary of Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma America, Inc., which, inturn, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of MTPC. For more information, including
investment performance to date, please visit https://www.mp-healthcare.com/.

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