Crown Bioscience and Medical & Biological Laboratories (MBL), JSR Life Sciences companies, have announced the formation of a joint venture to expand the provision of Crown’s preclinical services to Japanese customers.
The venture, named “Crown Bioscience & MBL”, is a long-term strategic partnership aimed to accelerate growth for both companies. The initial focus will be to provide preclinical and translational services to expand Crown’s offerings in Japan. The agreement will enhance the company’s current distributor model and establish a local presence in Japan.
Based in Tokyo, the venture will establish a local team led by an experienced General Manager, Hiroki Itou, Executive Officer of MBL and General Manager, Diagnostic & Research Reagents Department at JSR.
It will combine Crown’s preclinical and translational service capabilities with MBL’s knowledge and experience of the Japanese pharmaceutical market. The company, established in April 2022, is expected to initiate services from September 2022.
Armin Spura PhD, CEO of Crown Bioscience, said: “Japan will play a significant part in Crown Bioscience and MBL’s long-term strategic vision. Our new company has been created to better serve the evolving needs of the Japanese biopharmaceutical community, and to serve our Japanese customers more effectively. I am excited to further develop our synergies with MBL – a trusted partner in the Japanese life sciences sector.”
Hiroki Itou, President of Crown Bioscience & MBL commented: “Our two companies share a deep respect and identical values in the way we conduct business. I am confident that together we will be able to provide a unique and innovative portfolio of services that will accelerate drug discovery and development in Japan.”
