Granting of uric acid transporter URAT1 patent to AstraZeneca group

May 10, 2016
J-Pharma Co., Ltd.

J-Pharma Co., Ltd. agreed to grant a non-exclusive license regarding its patents covering uric acid transporter URAT1 and organic anion transporters OAT1, OAT4, to Ardea Biosciences, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of AstraZeneca PLC. The license agreement was concluded on April 22, 2016.

Licenser: J-Pharma Co., Ltd.
75-1 Ono-cho Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa
Representative Director : Hitoshi Endo

Licensee: Ardea Biosciences, Inc. (USA)
9390 Towne Center Dr. San Diego, CA
President and COO : James M MacKay

History of collaborative drug discovery and development

1.Technology based on these patents on human uric acid transporters and organic anion transporters are essential for the discovery and development of novel drugs to treat human diseases caused by human uric acid transport irregularities.

2.Qualitative and quantitative screening of chemical substances (drug candidate compounds) was conducted, taking advantage of this technology.

3. Proprietary technologies and the effort of both companies led to the discovery of a new drug and its successful development.

In December of 2015, Lesinurad, developed by Ardea Biosciences, was approved by the FDA, for manufacturing and sale.