Activiomics announces research agreement with Kyowa Hakko Kirin

Activiomics has announced its entry into the Japanese market through its new research agreement with Kyowa Hakko Kirin.

Activiomics, a London-based company, has signed an agreement with Japanese research-based life sciences company Kyowa Hakko Kirin.

Under the terms of the agreement, the privately owned spin-out company from the Barts Cancer Institute will use its TIQUAS phosphoproteomics to help analyse and interpret the signalling mechanisms of compounds in cell-based systems.

Etsuo Ohshima, from Kyowa Hakko Kirin, explained: "We've engaged with Activiomics because we recognise that Activiomics' label-free phosphoproteomics approach can provide unique insights into signalling pathway activity, information that can complement and extend our existing gene expression datasets."

He added that the technology would enable Kyowa Hakko Kirin to better understand the cell signalling mechanisms of its lead compound and could help it to identify important biomarkers.

Dr Neil Torbett, chief operating officer of Activiomics, welcomed the company's first entry into the Japanese market and said he was "delighted" by the agreement.

He also thanked drug discovery specialist BioFocus for its help in establishing the collaboration.