Acucela, a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing new treatments for blinding eye diseases, announced today that Ryo Kubota, M.D., Ph.D., Acucela’s chairman, president and chief executive officer, will present during a session at the BioJapan 2009 World Business Forum. The English language session, entitled “Successful Alliances Between Emerging Companies and Big Pharma,” is scheduled to be held at 3:00 p.m. JST on Thursday, October 8, 2009 at the Pacifico Yokohama in Yokohama, Japan.
“BioJapan 2009 provides a global forum for the exchange of ideas and opinions, and we are honored to participate in this international event that encourages the collaboration of peers,” stated Dr. Kubota. “We believe that strong alliances play an integral role in the biotech and pharmaceutical industry, and we look forward to exploring this symbiotic relationship and discussing the key factors that can make them productive and successful.”
Acucela has forged a strategic partnership with Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. to co-develop ACU-4429 in dry AMD as well as other potential indications in North America. Acucela and Otsuka are also collaborating on the clinical development efforts for Rebamipide in the United States, with Acucela spearheading the regulatory strategy for this Phase 3 program. This partnership provides Acucela with full development funding for its two lead programs.
About Acucela Inc.
Acucela Inc. is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on leveraging promising science in visual cycle modulation (VCM) to develop new methods for treating blinding eye diseases that affect tens of millions of people worldwide. The company’s orally-delivered VCM therapies, which selectively target cells within the retina to protect visual acuity, have the potential to be used to treat several devastating eye diseases, including dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD), retinopathy of prematurity, Stargardt disease and diabetic retinopathy. Acucela is also developing, with Otsuka Pharmaceutical, Rebamipide ophthalmic suspension, a Phase 3 product candidate for dry eye. For more information, please visit www.Acucela.com.
Contacts:
Acucela Inc.
Carol Pohlod, 425-527-3262
Carol.Pohlod@acucela.com
or
Pure
Communications Inc.
Sheryl Seapy, 949-608-0841
sheryl@purecommunicationsinc.com
