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Cambridge, MA and Osaka, Japan, May 24, 2007 - Harvard University’s Office of Technology Development (OTD) and DAISO Co., LTD., Fine Chemicals Division, have signed a licensing agreement aimed at addressing one of the most difficult problems facing pharmaceutical development; ensuring the proper molecular conformation, or “chirality,” of manufactured drugs.

The Hydrolytic Kinetic Resolution was discovered by Eric N. Jacobsen, Ph.D., the Sheldon Emery Professor of Chemistry at Harvard University, and is an important industrial manufacturing method of synthesizing chiral molecules as intermediates in the synthesis of chiral pharmaceuticals.

Under the terms of a field limited, co-exclusive agreement, Harvard University will license its patented HKR technology, limited to using the new oligomer (salen) catalysts, for use in the synthesis of chiral epoxides and diol compounds. Using this family of catalysts, DAISO will synthesize and sell chiral compounds to its customers, who, in turn, will utilize them to synthesize safe and effective chiral drugs.

“We are excited to be working with a world-renowned institution such as Harvard,” said Osamu Hatano, Corporate Officer, General Manager of Fine Chemicals Division, DAISO. “The potential of this research is significant, as it will allow DAISO the opportunity to provide our pharmaceutical and small-molecule customers with a better way to develop drugs that are safe and effective, but will also lower the cost and complexity of making these drugs.”

“The formation of this partnership is aligned with Harvard’s mission to work with the most innovative companies who, like Harvard, are committed to advancing cutting-edge research and technology,” stated Isaac T. Kohlberg, Chief Technology Development Officer, Harvard University. “We see Harvard’s work in this area as having important and far-reaching implications for improving the way drugs are developed and commercialized around the world, and are delighted to be working with yet another committed partner.”

"Partnering with DAISO provides an opportunity to develop the full potential of the Hydrolytic Kinetic Resolution technology," said Eric N. Jacobsen, Ph.D., Sheldon Emery Professor of Chemistry, Harvard University. "Developing chiral drugs is an extremely complex, time consuming, and expensive process. My hope is that the HKR will have a greatly enabling effect on the way chiral drugs are created, by allowing pharmaceutical companies to make drugs more quickly and cost effectively."

Molecules with a chiral center have two mirror image forms, called enantiomers, which refer to the 3-dimensional conformation of the molecule around this center. Often only one enantiomer of a drug molecule works for the intended beneficial effect, while the other enantiomer doesn’t work or even worse can have devastating side effects. This agreement will provide a critical new tool to more efficiently and reliably manufacture the desired chiral form of specific drugs.

About Harvard University’s Office of Technology Development

The Harvard Office of Technology Development (OTD) is responsible for all activities pertaining to the evaluation, patenting and licensing of new inventions and discoveries made at Harvard University and Harvard Medical School. OTD also serves to further the development of Harvard technologies through the establishment of sponsored research collaborations with industry. OTD’s mission is to promote the public good by fostering innovation and translating new inventions made at Harvard into useful products available and beneficial to society.

About DAISO Co., Ltd.

DAISO Co., Ltd was established in 1915 and have pursued a broad range of business operations centered on the field of chemicals. Using DAISO’s own original biotechnology, DAISO was one of the first companies in the world to commercially produce optically active epichlorohydrin successfully. Following that success, DAISO has developed unique processes for the commercial production of high-quality chiral building blocks for supplying as intermediates for active pharmaceutical ingredients to pharmaceutical companies around the world. Through technological collaboration with universities such as Harvard and venture business in the field of chiral technology, DAISO has pioneered new organic synthesis techniques, and today DAISO is committed to developing new technologies and exploring new possibilities in its field.