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June 30, 2008

Asahi Kasei Kuraray Medical Co., Ltd.

Establishment of new laboratory for joint research
- R&D linking industry and academia for advanced medical technology -

Asahi Kasei Kuraray Medical is establishing a laboratory in the Medical Innovation Space at Tokyo Women's Medical University-Waseda University Joint Institution for Advanced Biomedical Sciences (TWIns).

Opening on July 1, 2008, TWIns Asahi Kasei Kuraray Medical Lab will serve as a venue for R&D in medical science, engineering, and technology combining the knowledge and expertise of industry and academia, with a close focus on practical application in the clinical setting. The mission of the new laboratory will be to advance collaborative research between industry and academia for the joint development of advanced medical technology, including therapeutic apheresis systems, based on the real-world needs of clinical practice.

Medical devices operations are marked as a focus for growth in the Asahi Kasei Group's Growth Action – 2010 strategic management initiative. Asahi Kasei Kuraray Medical is expanding operations with reinforced production and sales capabilities both in Japan and worldwide. R&D is also given high priority in resource allocation, including for the development of innovative, world-leading therapeutic apheresis systems and the promotion of their widespread adoption.

Located in close proximity to clinical facilities and within an institution dedicated to integrating leading-edge science and technology into the field of medicine, the new laboratory will supplement the development effort for therapeutic apheresis technology with a new range of development capabilities to enable accelerated product development. The concerted development projects performed at the laboratory, from modification and improvement of existing products to the creation of pioneering new advances, will all share a clear focus on practical needs identified in the clinical setting.

Essentials of the new laboratory

Name:	TWIns Asahi Kasei Kuraray Medical Lab
Location:	TWIns facilities, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan
Opening:	July 1, 2008
Field of research:	Next-generation therapeutic apheresis systems and other advanced medical technology

About TWIns

Located adjacent to the Kawadacho campus of Tokyo Women's Medical University (TWMU), TWIns is a research and educational institution formed through an alliance between TWMU and Waseda University. At TWIns, leading-edge research is being performed jointly by the two universities in a broad range of fields including artificial organs, regenerative medicine, medical robotics, genetic diagnosis, and genetic therapy. Several advanced science and engineering laboratories of Waseda University and advanced biomedical laboratories of TWMU were transferred to TWIns upon its opening in April 2008. In addition to individual laboratories, TWIns has a wide variety of shared equipment and facilities available for use by the over 400 researchers based there, including for cell culturing and animal studies.

Profile of Asahi Kasei Kuraray Medical Co., Ltd.

President:

Yasuyuki Yoshida

Establishment:

July 1974

Paid-in capital:

¥800 million

Shareholding:

93% by Asahi Kasei Pharma, 7% by Kuraray Medical

Head office:

Tokyo, Japan

Business line: