Kyoto University and Takeda Pharmaceutical Company have formed a five-year research and development alliance to research drugs to treat obesity and schizophrenia.

The two organisations will work together to identify drug targets based in the central nervous system and biomarkers for these conditions.

The partnership will conduct clinical medical research for drug candidates by using findings from basic research and clinical data accumulated at the Graduate School of Medicine and the University Hospital, and from related networks worldwide.

Kyoto University established Japan’s first open innovation laboratory based on Equal Partnership, which is aimed at creating innovative drugs and medical instruments as well as new drug-discovery models.