|
|
| HuBit aims to focus on creating research achievement which leads to the basic research, development and marketing of pharmaceuticals, diagnostics, food prodoucts and others with scientific evidence of efficacy. Combining the cohort research and SNP analysis research, HuBit is currently involved in the following five businesses. |
| |
 |
HuBit / deCODE Genotyping Service |
|
| |
 |
| HuBit and deCODE Genetic, Inc. (Headquarters: Reykjavik, Iceland, Kari Stefansson, President and Chairman), which is based in Iceland, cooperate with each other to provide a gene & genome analysis service to universities, research institutions, and corporations in Japan. This genome analysis service uses bioinformatics technologies of HuBit, programs best adjusted for the Japanese clinical medicine and genome science such as “Clinical Disease Miner Professional Program”, combined with the proprietary and large-scale genotyping technologies of deCODE genetics, such as microsatellite-, SNP- (Single Nucleotide Polymorphism), and DNA chip-based genotyping processes. |
|
|
Food Functionality Evaluation through Cohort Research |
|
| |
 |
| HuBit has launched food functionality evaluation and material development in 2006. HuBit believes its combination of cohort research and SNP analysis research can be applied to evaluation study of the food for specified health use (FOSHU). HuBit has already conducted an evaluation of natto, Japanese fermented soybeans, under the collaboration with NCVC and NTT Data Corporation in Arita-cho, Saga prefecture in Japan from January to February 2006. The study result was released in April 27, 2006 by NCVC. |
|
|
|
| |
 |
| Hubit provides comprehensive research that includes the establishment of cohort, research planning, sample collection, high-throughput SNP gene typing, bioinformatics, and statistical analysis. Through research and analysis of correlation between SNPs and clinical data obtained by cohort studies, HuBit assists identification of target compounds and / or genes associated with diseases to develop as diagnostics’ markers. The results of these basic studies are highly valued for development of drugs with clear and high efficacy because they can be used to relate the effects of genetic and environmental predisposition to occurrence of diseases and deterioration of condition. In addition, it is possible to identify multiple drug targets and genes to be used as diagnostics markers from single research platform, and thus backup compounds can be simultaneously developed. |
|
|
|
| |
 |
| One of Hubit’s current projects is the preclinical development of adrenomedullin, a new circulatory regulation hormone discovered by a team of researchers lead by Professor Kenji Kangawa, Director of National Cardiovascular Center (“NCVC”) Research Institute. It is proved to have a function to protect organisms by increasing secretion in case of cardiac infarction and arrest. HuBit aims to develop adrenomedullin as a drug to be administered exogenously as endogenously produced adrenomedullin might not be sufficient to function as a protection to these conditions. By administering at acute stage of cardiac infarction, adrenomedullin is expected to protect cardiac functionality and contribute to its improvement. NCVC has conducted
the clinical study
of adrenomedullin on healthy individuals and cardiac infarction patients to confirm clinical efficacy. Currently, HuBit is analyzing the result to determine the appropriate quantity of dosage and the administration method. It is also reviewing the manufacturing process of drugs for clinical trial use. HuBit aims to develop a customized medicine for acute myocardial infarction. |
|
|
|
| |
 |
| HuBit offers research data related to drug efficacy and expected adverse effects of drugs to pharmaceutical companies for their post marketing surveillance study and clinical study. The effects of certain drugs vary among individuals. Some might not have any adverse effects, but others might show severe and critical side effects. By combining SNP analysis (genomics) and drug interaction research (pharmacology), HuBit offers a pharmacogenomic solution to these problems. |
|
|
|
| |
 |
| One of the diagnostics HuBit is currently developing is for diabetic nephropathy. In recent years, more than 30% of the patients who start kidney dialysis have diabetic nephropathy in Japan. A research group lead by Professor Toshio Doi from the Faculty of Medicine, University of Tokushima has identified a transcription factor that has a key roll in progression of diabetic nephropathy. This transcription factor can be detected in the urine of diabetic nephropathy patients at early stage. As it takes approximately 13 years for men and 14 years for women to start kidney dialysis after contracting diabetic nephropathy, HuBit aims to reduce the number of dialysis patients by early detection and treatment. |
| |
| |
|
