Biocomm sets up in Japan

Melbourne-based business development and seed finance group Biocomm Services has broadened its reach internationally with the announcement that Tokyo biotech company Locomogene would be the company's first Japanese client.

Locomogene is working on therapeutic approaches for diseases including rheumatoid and osteoarthritis and will use Biocomm's partnering services as it moves to partner with big pharma and biotech companies. The company already has one deal under its belt with Japanese pharma company Eisai to arthritis treatments targeting Synoviolin, a protein active in synovial membranes that has been implicated by Locomogene researchers as playing a key role in arthritic processes.

"Locomogene has planted many drug discovery seeds which we now in a position to harvest," said CEO Eitaro Uchida.

Biocomm's business development manager for Japan, Tsutomu Mori, said emerging Japanese companies could benefit from Biocomm's international networks in Europe, North America and the Asia-Pacific region.

Last year Biocomm expanded its presence in the UK, with the opening of an office in London to facilitate European partnering and licensing activities.