We hereby inform you that TRANS GENIC INC. (Head Office: Mashiki-machi, Kamimashiki-gun, Kumamoto, CEO: Masahiro Koreishi) concluded the exclusive sales agreement regarding Cathepsin-related Gene Modified Mice on March 4, 2004 with Kyushu TLO Company, Limited (Headquarters: Fukuoka, Director : Yasufumi Yarimizu )

TRANS GENIC INC. has obtained the right to produce and sell Cathepsin-related Gene Modified Mice, exclusively within Japan, of which technology is comprised in the patent "Non-human Mammalian with Modified Cathepsin-related gene" (Patent Application Number: 2002-153641).

This technology was invented by Professor Kenji Yamamoto, Ph.D.(Currently Dean of Faculty of Dental Science, Graduate School of Dental Science, School of Dentistry, Kyushu Univ.) and Professor Kei-Ichi Nakayama M.D. Ph.D. (Currently a Professor of Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu Univ.), and its part of the research results has already been introduced in the articles of Professor Yamamoto's bibliography. ("The Journal of Biochemistry", The Japanese Biochemical Society 134(6)893-902)

The mouse is expected to be a useful tool for the research of Atopic Dermatitis, and we are going to license out its right of use, or to sell the mouse itself to pharmaceutical companies.
At the present moment, any effect that this agreement may bring is negligible.