Japanese Biotech Company, Aqumen Biopharmaceuticals, KK, Opens U.S. Operations In Partnership With Science Center

"Soft Landing" in U.S. for International Biotech Start Up is Part of Science Center Strategy to Attract World-Class Innovations to Philadelphia

Philadelphia, PA - The Science Center, one of the world's leading venture ecosystems for life sciences and biotechnology companies, announced it will partner with Aqumen Biopharmaceuticals, KK of Fukuoka, Japan to open a U.S. base for the company's operations.

The partnership is part of a broader Science Center strategy to offer international companies a "soft landing" in the U.S. by offering services and management support to accelerate commercialization of innovations here.

"This is a win-win for the economies of Japan and the United States," said Pradip Banerjee, Science Center President and Chief Executive Officer. "The North American market makes up 70 percent of the world pharmaceutical market, so companies that operate in the U.S. in their early stages stand to succeed sooner. The Science Center has created a new Global Operating Model for early stage companies to gain worldwide exposure and reach utilizing the Science Center's unique approach to 'Powering Commercialization.'"

To welcome Aqumen to Philadelphia, the Science Center is hosting a reception for the Greater Philadelphia area biotech community this evening at its headquarters at 3701 Market Street.

The company is a Kyushu University-launched venture company developing medicines and surgical tools for the treatment of age-related macular degeneration and other ophthalmic disease and diagnostic applications.

"We decided to locate Aqumen's U.S. operations at the Science Center because of its unique strategy and strong management team," said Hardy Kagimoto, MD, Aqumen Chief Executive Officer. "Our strong research base in Japan together with the Science Center's 'soft landing' strategy opens a broader market for Aqumen's innovations."

Science Center will provide management resources, laboratory space, administrative support, and regulatory guidance. Science Center Chief Scientific Officer Dr. Mitchell Glass is serving as interim Chief Executive Officer of Aqumen's U.S. subsidiary and Dr. Banerjee sits on Aqumen's Board of Directors. The Science Center was also integral to the development of the Kyoto Research Park, a research park established in Kyoto, Japan.

SOURCE: Aqumen Biopharmaceuticals