Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Executives to Convene at SRI International Innovation Forum in Tokyo
SRI Seeks to Collaborate with Japanese Companies and Regional Bioscience Clusters
MENLO PARK, Calif. – October 12, 2005 – SRI International, an independent, nonprofit research and development organization, today announced its Tokyo office will host two half-day, invitation-only, biotechnology and pharmaceutical events on October 24 and 25, 2005. Monday, October 24 features technical biotechnology presentations and Tuesday, October 25 features executive-level presentations. The events will focus on creating strong business ties and new opportunities between SRI and Japanese biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies.
SRI executives and researchers Drs. Walter Moos, Rae Lyn Burke, and Jon Mirsalis will present SRI's work on drugs for cancer, the central nervous system, biologics for infectious diseases, and other biomedical projects. The presenters will also provide an overview of SRI's new Center of Excellence for Infectious Disease and Biodefense. In addition, SRI President and CEO Dr. Curt Carlson will offer an overview of the SRI Value Creation Process for the bioscience industry. SRI biotechnology and pharmaceutical experts will be available to answer questions at a special reception following these presentations.
"This forum offers biotechnology and pharmaceutical executives and professionals an opportunity to learn first-hand about SRI's leading research," said Osamu Karatsu, chief executive director, SRI Japan. "Japan's pharmaceutical industry is strong, and its biotechnology industry has grown steadily over the past five years. SRI's goal is to expand its partnerships and facilitate collaborations that will lead to many more opportunities in this important and dynamic market. We look forward to furthering the impact of cutting-edge research in Japan's regional bioscience clusters."
Event topics will include, but are not restricted to, the following presentations:
Overview of SRI International's Biosciences Division
Speaker: Walter H. Moos, Ph.D., Vice President
Topics: Operating principles, discovery and development portfolio, and drug discovery for the central nervous system and other diseases
Drugs and Biologics for Infectious Diseases
Speaker: Rae Lyn Burke, Ph.D., Director, Center of Excellence for Infectious Disease and Biodefense
Topics: Novel therapeutics against Category A-C pathogens, new approaches to epidemic outbreaks, and development of new formulation and delivery methods
Oncology Therapeutics and Development Services
Speaker: Jon Mirsalis, Ph.D., D.A.B.T., Managing Director, Division Operations, and Director, Preclinical Development
Topics: Oncology products available and under development, in vitro predictive models for toxicity and pharmacokinetics, and preclinical activities
The event is open to members of the press, who can register by sending an email to ellie.javadi@sri.com.
About SRI's Biosciences Division
The SRI Biosciences Division is a unique organization of nearly 200 people, with all of the resources necessary to take chemical and biological research programs from "idea to IND"– from initial discovery to the approval to start human clinical trials. The Biosciences Division performs basic research on disease mechanisms, like an academic institution; drug discovery and the development of biologics, like a biotechnology or pharmaceutical company; and full-service preclinical contract research and development, like a CRO (contract research organization).
To date, SRI has developed nine drugs internally that have entered clinical trials, with several more currently undergoing preclinical evaluation. Marketed examples of these drugs include bexarotene and halofantrine. Additionally, working with government and industry partners, SRI has helped advance over 100 drugs into clinical trials and over 30 drugs onto the market. Through collaborations with other divisions at SRI, Biosciences is also working at the interfaces of science to create technical platforms for the next generation of drug discovery and development in areas such as drug delivery, real-time diagnostics, and systems biology.
About SRI International
Silicon Valley-based SRI International (www.sri.com) is one of the world's leading independent research and technology development organizations. Founded as Stanford Research Institute in 1946, SRI has been meeting the strategic needs of clients for almost 60 years. The nonprofit research institute performs client-sponsored research and development for government agencies, commercial businesses and private foundations. In addition to conducting contract R&D, SRI licenses its technologies, forms strategic partnerships and creates spin-off companies.
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