Kyowa Hakko's original anticancer agent KW-2401
(UCN-01) is licensed to Keryx Biopharmaceuticals

  On September 29th, 2006, Kyowa Hakko Kogyo Co., Ltd. (Kyowa Hakko) based in Tokyo, Japan (President and CEO: Dr. Yuzuru Matsuda) has entered into an agreement with Keryx Biopharmaceuticals, Inc.(Keryx) based in Manhattan, New York (Chairman and CEO: Mr. Michael S. Weiss) on Kyowa Hakko's original anticancer agent KW-2401 (UCN-01).
 Under this agreement, Kyowa Hakko will grant Keryx an exclusive license to develop and commercialize the compound worldwide except in Japan and receive an upfront payment, milestone payments and royalties on sales of commercialized products from Keryx.
  KW-2401(UCN-01) is in Phase-II clinical studies in the US, directed and sponsored by the National Cancer Institute. Phase-I clinical studies of the compound in Japan were completed in 2002
  Kyowa Hakko screened and isolated a microorganism producing a substance with the target function and created KW-2401(UCN-01) in-house from an active substance in the fermentation products of the microorganism.
  Basic research demonstrated that KW-2401(UCN-01) inhibits the activities of protein kinases involved in the proliferation of cancer cells, transformation of cells, etc. and directly induces cell death (apoptosis) and also enhances apoptosis-inducing activity of other anticancer agents when combined.

  Kyowa Hakko is committed to maximizing the value of its in-house developed drug candidates through efficient and effective development activities including alliances, thereby contributing to the health and well-being of people worldwide.

Keryx Biopharmaceuticals

  Keryx Biopharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: KERX) was incorporated in 1998 and is engaged in the development and commercialization of in-licensed pharmaceutical products for the treatment of various diseases, including cancer and diabetes. It is now conducting clinical development of a drug for diabetic nephropathy, anticancer agents, etc.