Epistem announces Japanese marketing agreement

BIOTECHNOLOGY firm Epistem has entered into a marketing agreement with a Japanese company named Veritas Corporation.

The agreement will now give Epistem – which is based on Grafton Street, in Manchester, a sales and marketing presence in Japan and the opportunity to extend its research services, and respond rapidly to market demand.

Epistem’s contract research division provides specialised preclinical and scientific research services to drug development and personal care companies in the areas of oncology, mucositis, inflammatory bowel disease, wound healing and skincare.

Epistem’s chief executive Matthew Walls said: “We are delighted to be working with Veritas.  They have a strong scientific sales team and established distribution network. 

“The Japanese drug development market provides us with an important opportunity for growth and the agreement with Veritas will allow us to develop closer links with existing Japanese customers.”

Epistem’s shares have fallen from 440p at the start of April to 327.5p when the London Stockexchange opened this morning.