Aprecia Pharmaceuticals, LLC and CMIC CMO Co., LTD.  have entered a collaboration to develop business opportunities in Japan for Aprecia’s ZipDose Technology, under which Aprecia aims to expand its 3DP products globally. CMIC CMO’s services will include identifying prospects in Japan, generating awareness and facilitating discussions of technology licensing agreements, research collaborations and distribution partnerships.  
 
Aprecia is the first and only commercial-stage manufacturer of three-dimensionally printed pharmaceuticals. Its 3DP ZipDose Technology can accommodate a wide variety of active pharmaceutical ingredients and formulation technologies to create high value products with unique performance characteristics such as rapid disintegration across multiple therapeutic categories. Beyond ZipDose Technology, the company is developing additional applications for its 3DP manufacturing platform as a means to provide new products in multiple dose forms. 
 
CMIC Group is the largest clinical CRO in Japan. The company has expanded to provide comprehensive services in drug formulation development, clinical to commercial GMP manufacturing, clinical site management, regulatory consulting and contract sales.
 
“Aprecia sees a tremendous opportunity to create value in the Japanese pharmaceutical market through our 3DP technology platform via product license, development, manufacturing, and distribution partnerships with Japanese pharma companies,” said Tim Tracy, chief executive officer of Aprecia. “Entry into the Japanese pharma market requires a comprehensive understanding of the industry, competitive landscape, consumer preferences, market challenges and opportunities, stakeholder relationships, and business contacts. CMIC CMO is uniquely qualified to provide Aprecia with an efficient and effective way to enter the market.”
 
“Orally disintegrating tablets have always been very popular in Japan for pharmaceutical companies to maximize the value of both their existing product brands and pipeline product candidates . ZipDose technology uniquely addresses the need for high dose orally disintegrating tablets to reduce burden on patients who have difficulty swallowing, as well as caregivers and healthcare professionals,” said Makoto Matsukawa, chief executive officer of CMIC CMO. “CMIC Group is involved in nearly 80% of new drug development in Japan. With CMIC Group’s industrial experiences, customer network and market understanding, we can help Aprecia to bring the ZipDose technology to Japanese market faster.”