Biotech firm targets Asian growth with Japan office

● Follows several key tie-ups with firms in country ● Immunotherapy business eyes more collaborations

A Scottish immunotherapy specialist focused on cancer and major viral diseases has revealed that it is opening an office in Japan as a springboard to further growth across Asia.

TC Biopharm (TCB) said the new site, which complements its two premises in the Central Belt, is located at the Kanagawa Life Innovation Center, Tonomachi in Kanagawa Prefecture, with the biotech cluster at Tonomachi opposite Tokyo’s Haneda International airport created for firms to solve global issues in the life sciences sector.

TCB, which has its headquarters and clinical manufacturing facility in Maxim Park just off the M8 plus an office in Edinburgh, received backing from Scottish Development International regarding the move, and has been working closely with Japanese biotech and pharmaceutical companies.

Tokyo-based Medinet made an initial investment to help with Uk-based clinical studies. TCB has also worked with Cell Science & Technology Institute Inc (a subsidiary of the Nipro Corporation, Osaka), which exclusively developed specialised culture media to assist in the manufacture of Immunicar (which kills only diseased cells) and other cell-based therapies being developed by TCB.

Last year, and as part of an $8 million (£5.8m) equity round, TCB won its first significant investment from a major pharmaceutical company – the Nipro Corporation (Osaka), which along with the Scottish Investment Bank contributed the majority of TCB’S series-a fundraising.

TCB chief executive Michael Leek, who founded the business in 2014, said he was “delighted” with the new site as the firm looks to future clinical and commercial collaborations ultimately aiming to improve patient health and quality of life.

The firm’s chief business officer, Artin Moussavi, also commented that the new site “demonstrates our longterm vision and investment to developing a major immunotherapy business in Japan and Asia”.

Yuji Kuroiwa, governor of Kanagawa Prefecture, said: “We all welcome TC Biopharm’s decision to locate in Kanagawa Life Innovation Center. Kanagawa Prefecture Government is ready to provide positive support to TCB’S projects.”

It was revealed in August that TCB had secured £3.6m in the largest-ever award to a UK healthcare firm by the EU to develop its next-generation cancer therapies. Craft Beer Clan, the exporter of craft spirits and beers, is returning to Dubai next week to champion Scottish craft breweries and distillers at the world’s largest food and drink fair. The firm, which represents some 60 breweries and distillers, will be attending the international Gulfood exhibition in the UAE, which is expected to attract almost 100,000 visitors. Chris Miller, above, director of parent company JW Filshill International, hopes to build on last year’s success.