Takeda Australia has announced a new innovation grant program designed to support Australian research projects with the aim of advancing therapeutic targets and technologies in drug discovery.
COCKPI-T Australia 2018 has been launched in Australia and is open for grant applications.
Takeda said it is inviting Australian-based research institutions or companies to submit proposals for early-stage research projects that align with the company’s areas of therapeutic interest.
These include neuroscience, gastroenterology, oncology and regenerative medicine.
COCKPI-T Australia 2018 will provide grants of up to $100,000 each for early-stage research that needs a further concept-validation study.
The program was first launched in Japan in 2015 and has now expanded to Australia.
Managing director of Takeda Australia James Jones said, "I am delighted that the company is furthering its already significant commitment to clinical research in Australia and look forward to the contribution that this initiative will make to driving scientific work in these important disease areas.
“In addition to the medicines we provide, Takeda invests in clinical trials in Australia and this initiative is another demonstration of our commitment to supporting high quality research and, ultimately, better patient outcomes.”
Criteria and research applications are available online. Applications close on 16 July 2018.
Takeda has also signed a collaboration agreement with Australian immuno-oncology company HaemaLogiX focused on potential new treatments for patients with multiple myeloma.
According to Bryce Carmine, chairman and CEO of HaemaLogiX, "This new partnership will be the first step toward commercialisation of the company's core technology with a global leader in the myeloma field. It would be terrific for HaemaLogiX, if this process leads to further steps in our collaboration in the future. For now, HaemaLogiX retains the full ability to pursue its antibodies in applications outside of the scope of this collaboration."