shionogi co., Ltd.

shionogi science program 2011 in UK

we're searching for seeds to meet patients' needs

overview

Shionogi & Co., Ltd. is a Japanese pharmaceutical company which was established in 1879. We have continuously supplied superior pharmaceuticals to people everywhere, based on its company policy to: "Constantly strive to provide medicine of the best possible kind essential for protection of the health of the people". Under this basic policy we are making a serious effort to identify good research seeds and to develop them into superior pharmaceuticals. We started an Academia and Industry Collaboration Programme in Japan in FY2007 for the purpose of leveraging each other’s strengths and creating something new together. In the past four years we have received many applications from Japanese research workers, and we have started a number of joint studies. Now we are happy to announce an extension of this collaborative programme outside Japan, starting with the UK. We would like to invite a number of innovative and world-class ideas from you. We hope that together we can create superior pharmaceuticals for those who suffer from diseases all over the world, and to fulfil their unmet medical needs. We are very much looking forward to receiving many novel and inventive ideas from you.

Application details
Refer to the“Shionogi Science Program 2011 Application Guideline”on the Shionogi Science Program website.
Research budgets
Shionogi is planning to adopt a number of projects with budgets of ¥5 million to ¥15 million per year per project. (Budgets will be determined at the time of contract in accordance with the details of research.)
Application period
For Japan: 10:00am 3rd October 2011 - 5.00pm 31st October 2011,
For UK: 3.00pm 2nd October 2011 - 10:00pm 30th October 2011
Application areas
  1. Novel target molecules for drug discovery to treat HIV or emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases
  2. Novel target molecules, analytical methods and animal models for drug discovery to treat psychiatric disorders, or for neuroprotective and neuroregenerative drugs
  3. Novel target molecules, analytical methods and technologies for discovery of vaccines and adjuvants against infectious diseases, cancer and allergy
  4. Ideas for novel next generation biologics (For example, next generation antibody drugs, next generation nucleic acid drugs, etc.)
  5. Ideas for novel technology of drug formulation
Inquiries
Make inquiries via the ”Inquiries Form” on the website.

application guideline

Research period
The research period will be determined at the time of adoption, with a maximum of 5 years as a SHIONOGI Science Program. However, contracts will be renewed each year and the research period may be shortened upon consultation.
Research budgets
Budgets will be ¥5 - 15 million per year per project and will be determined at the time of adoption. Budgets are collaboration research budget.
Selection schedule and application method
Primary selection
Application period
For Japan:10:00am 3rd October 2011 - 5.00pm 31st October 2011
For UK :3.00pm 2nd October 2011 - 10:00pm 30th October 2011
Application method
Apply using the “Application Form” on the Shionogi Science Program website. (Research overview of no more than 1,000 characters, etc.)
Shionogi will inform applicants of receiving application by e-mail within 3 working days. Those applicants who do not receive e-mail, make inquiries via the ”Inquiries Form” on the website.
Announcement of the results of primary selection
Shionogi will inform all applicants of the results by December, 29, 2011 in Japan time by e-mail.
Secondary selection
Application period
2 months (from January 1st 2012 to February 29th 2012)
Application method
Shionogi will inform applicants who pass primary selection of the application method. (Research plan, etc.)
Announcement of the results of primary selection
Shionogi will inform all applicants of the results of secondary selection by e-mail. (around the end of May 2012)
Requirement of Applicants
UK : Researchers must carry out their research in UK.
Japan : Researchers of universities can apply in cases of joint research with researchers of UK universities.
(Researchers of Japanese universities are asked to apply under the FINDS2011 program in cases of standalone research.)

The government law of SHINOGI Science Program is British law.

Selection criteria
The selection criteria include: match with the needs of the company; originality of research; rationality; future potential; the possibility of commercialization and conflicts with existing company projects, etc.　
Other
Shionogi employees and external advisors (people who have concluded contracts for advisory work with Shionogi) will manage Shionogi Science Program 2011 selection process.

details of recruitment

Novel target molecules for drug discovery to treat HIV or emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases
Shionogi is searching for ideas for novel target molecules for drug discovery to treat HIV or emerging and reemerging infectious diseases.
Novel target molecules, analytical methods and animal models for drug discovery to treat psychiatric disorders, or for neuroprotective and neuroregenerative drugs
Shionogi is searching for ideas for novel target molecules, animal models and evaluation technologies for drug discovery to treat AD/HD, schizophrenia, sleep disorder and anxiety disorder, or for neuroprotective and neuroregenera- tive drugs.
Novel target molecules, analytical methods and technologies for discovery of vaccines and adjuvants against infectious diseases, cancer and allergy
Shionogi is searching for ideas for novel target molecules and evaluation technologies for discovery of vaccines and adjuvants against infectious diseases, cancer and allergy.
Ideas for novel next generation biologics (For example, next generation antibody drugs, next generation nucleic acid drugs, etc.)
Shionogi is searching for novel ideas for next generation drugs based on completely new ideas unbound by the drug forms that have existed to this point. Specifically, this means platform technologies for the next generation antibody drugs that could become the next generation molecular targeted bio-drugs that replace antibody drugs, ribozymes, siRNA drugs, RNA aptamers, etc., next generation nucleic acid drugs and drugs based on completely new ideas. Also, because Shionogi aims to acquire basic global drug form patents with future potential, the company will not adopt modifications of existing drug forms. In addition, the adoption of regenerative drugs is possible, but regen- erative treatment and gene therapy using viral vectors are not currently handled at the company and no such adoptions are planned.
Ideas for novel technology of drug formulation
Shionogi is searching for the idea of novel drug formulation technologies for new drug discovery and life cycle management of existing drugs.

faq

About SHIONOGI Science Program (SSP)

What is the purpose of SSP?
SSP has the 3 purposes described below.
  1. Efficient matching between needs and seeds
    We disclose the research needs of Shionogi Research Laboratories and will find novel seeds for drug candidates and technological ideas matched to those needs from the researchers of all over the world.
  2. Research support for young researchers
    If similar ideas are proposed, we will adopt younger researchers preferentially.
  3. Cultivation of Shionogi's young human resources involved in industry-academia alliances
    Shionogi’s young researchers and administrative personnel are responsible for the core areas of this project, which cultivates human resources able to promote industry-academia alliances in ongoing fashion.
When is SSP started?
It has started from FY2011 (this year). However, in Japan, a similar initiative called FINDS has been started from FY2007.
Please tell me the characteristics of SSP.
The feature of SSP
  1. We will disclose concrete theme which we want.
  2. We want just idea which will be applied to patents jointly in the near future. We will help to file patents.
  3. SSP is a feasibility test. We will continue to collaborative research and collaborative development, if the result is match Shionogi's needs.
  4. We can discuss periodically to promote collaborative research if you want to help for industrialization.
  5. We will inform to each applicants the results and reason why we can not adopt the proposal.
How do you choose countries eligible for SSP?
As some of the factors to choose countries, they should not only have many universities and research institutions in the country that understand and execute the SSP policies, but also be capable of establishing cooperative relationships with related organizations and people in charge.
Do you increase the number of countries eligible for SSP?
We intend to do so, although it also depends on the results of this year. However, it has not been determined yet if the program will be exactly the same with this year.
What are the differences between SSP and FINDS(Pharma-Innovation Discovery competition Shionog)?
SSP is the international academic-industrial alliance, while FINDS is the domestic one.
Therefore, although international (British in FY2011) researchers can apply alone, researchers in Japan are required to partner with an international (British in FY2011) researcher for application. On the other hand, FINDS is dedicated exclusively to researchers in Japan.
Please tell me the results of FINDS.
We raise the 3 points below as the main results of FINDS.
  1. Joint patent applications
    We have submitted patent applications for research outcomes created by FINDS jointly between the institutions of affiliation of researchers and Shionogi.
  2. Conversion to company-internal programs
    Some of the research adopted on FINDS has been incorporated in company-internal programs and we are advancing research towards drug discovery.
  3. Promotion of young researchers
    Specially Appointed Professors (part-time, fixed-term) adopted on FINDS promoted research on FINDS and were hired as university professors.

Applications

Is it possible for more than one person to apply together?
Yes, you can. One representative should apply, and joint researchers should be listed in the field of "Joint Researcher." In FY2011, nonetheless, an application can be made by only researchers based in Britain or in Japan. Since an application from only researchers located in Japan will not be accepted in SSP, apply for FINDS.
Is it possible for more than one organization to apply together?
Researchers from different organizations can jointly apply as long as their organizations are located in either Britain or Japan. One representative should apply, and joint researchers should be listed in the field of "Joint Researcher." Since an application from only researchers located in Japan will not be accepted in SSP, apply for FINDS.
Please tell me the number of applications that can be submitted by one person.
Researchers can apply any number of themes. It is possible of course, for a researcher to make one application individually and another application jointly.
I do not know which theme my research proposal applies to.
Applicants are asked to please select a theme at their own discretion. No disadvantage will occur with regard to adoption as a result of not selecting the theme correctly.
My research proposal applies to multiple themes so which theme should I choose?
Applicants are asked to please select a theme at their own discretion. There is no difference in the number of adoptions depending on the theme selected.
Is adopted research determined for each theme?
The number of adoptions is determined by the details of the proposals. The number of proposals to be adopted is not determined for each theme.
Is it possible to apply in languages other than English?
We currently accept applications only in English.
I want to attach figures when I apply. Is that possible?
Primary applications are made only in writing. It is possible to include figures as well on the occasion of the secondary review.
Can I apply at the same time as for other openly recruited programs?
It is possible to apply in such circumstances. However, if a proposal with the same research details has been adopted by another company’s program (excluding public institutions) when a proposal is to be adopted by Shionogi, we will cancel the adoption.

Research costs

How are research costs determined?
We will listen to the intentions of the applicant, but Shionogi makes the final decision based on the details of research.
Is it possible to hire research assistants?
Yes, it is possible. However, it requires an application in advance.
Are there any restrictions on the use of research costs?
If they are used to promote the research adopted, there are no restrictions on use. However, there are things that require an application in advance. We will explain the details at the time of adoption.

Selection

Please tell me the selection standards.
We determine selection in light of factors such as matching with Shionogi’s needs, the originality, rationality and future prospects of research, the potential for commercialization and conflicts with existing Shionogi projects, etc.
However, if the same kind of idea is proposed in more than one application, we will adopt the younger researchers preferentially.
Do the attributes of the applicant have any effect?
The attributes of the applicant will not affect the selection.
We would like to receive applications from researchers with ideas by themselves.
Who performs selection?
Primary selection is determined by a council system including young researchers and young members of the Intellectual Property Department of Shionogi and external advisors who have concluded a contract with the company.
Secondary selection determines the research to be adopted with research leaders from each area of Shionogi added to the primary selectors.

Handling of results

Are presentations such as at conferences and in articles, etc., possible during the SSP period?
We respect the mission of the researcher and have not refused public announcements by now.
However, if there is potential for filing a patent application, we may partially restrict the content of a public announcement or have the researchers delay a public announcement until we file a patent application.
Please tell me about the attribution of research results.
In principle, patent applications will be made jointly between the institution of affiliation of the researchers and Shionogi.
I have the researches that I have already filed a patent application for or obtained a patent for and I would like to license it out or do joint research. What should I do?
Please contact .
If you have the researches that matches Shionogi’s research needs besides SSP, we will also accept in-licensing and joint research.

Other

I have a question other than the ones given above. What should I do?
Please inquire directly to the “Inquiries office”.

SHIONOGI Science Program 2011

October 31, 2011

Shionogi& Co., Ltd. believes that mutual cooperation and matching of industrial needs and research seeds between academia and industry are important in order to develop novel medicines.
We began the PHarma-Innovation Discovery Competition Shionogi (FINDS), the domestic form of our industry-university cooperation program in 2007. This year, we began the "SHIONOGI Science Program" (SSP) as a global version of FINDS. This year’s target country is the UK.
We completed the first application round of the SSP in October 31st and we received many applicants. We greatly appreciate such a large number of applications and we would like to thank all the people who have supported us.

We now announce the following schedule:

The first selection

We will notify all the applicants the result of the first selection by December 29, 2011 to the e-mail address given in the first application form.

The second selection

We will send instructions for the second selection to those who have passed the first selection,
The second application will be from January 1 to February 29, 2012.
Since you will need to submit a detailed research document for the second selection, we can exchange non –disclosure agreement with applicants if required.

Announcement of the adoption

We will announce the result of the second selection by May 31, 2012.

Adoption

We will start the collaborative research after discussions with the applicants and their organizations which have passed the second selection.
We will determine the final adoption after mutual agreement with individual applicants and their organizations. If we can not exchange the collaborative research agreement, we will suspend the adoption.
If you have any further questions regarding this program, please contact us at the e-mail address below
e-mail: ssp@shionogi.co.jp