Organon has announced an important research collaboration with HD Biosciences, one of the leading biotech companies in China.

OSS, the Netherlands, Nov. 18, 2005 - Akzo Nobel's human healthcare business, Organon, has announced an important research collaboration with HD Biosciences, one of the leading biotech companies in China.

The agreement relates to the development by Shanghai-based HD Biosciences of functional assays for a number of identified G-protein coupled receptors and ion channels. The project will start with a total of five molecular targets identified by Organon.

“China is an increasingly important pharmaceutical market,” said Dr David Nicholson, Organon’s Executive Vice President of Global Research. “The growing scientific expertise, as well as the history of traditional Chinese medicine, makes research collaborations in this country attractive.”

He went on: “Organon is in the process of setting up early discovery agreements with Chinese partners to forge closer links with the country’s highly skilled and motivated scientists. This agreement with HD Biosciences is the first research collaboration with a Chinese biotech partner that we have finalized.”

Under the terms of the contract, HD Biosciences will develop functional assays for high-throughput screening. All targets have been selected on the basis of their potential as starting points for the discovery of innovative new treatments for disorders of the central nervous system.

“HD Biosciences’ mission is to provide advanced solutions for drug discovery and assist pharmaceutical and biotech companies in their search for innovative, effective, and safe drug candidates at a controlled cost,” added Dr Xuehai Tan, President of HD Biosciences.  

“As such, we are delighted to be working with Organon on this project and look forward to a successful and collaborative partnership.”