Translational Research Ltd.


Translational Research Ltd. (TRL) was established as a subsidiary of SNBL in 1998 and, as the company's name suggests, acts as a conduit by which the fruits of basic research can be brought to the clinical field. TRL is also active in supporting the commercialization of promising research from academic and bioventure sources. SNBL was established as a CRO 45 years ago, and since then the company has amassed a wealth of experience, boasting a vigorous role as a global preclinical research facility. Using this experience, the SNBL Group's objectives are to provide impetus for research, to promote clinical techniques originating in universities and private enterprise, and in partnership with our clinical development division to secure commercial development through licensing to the pharmaceutical sector. As well as providing technical guidance, TRL also offers financial assistance to emerging enterprises, to create 'Win-Win' relationships. In short, SNBL is a CRO creating a new business model to support basic research for the development of new drugs.

Currently, TRL is involved in developing convenient administration routes and formulations for drugs with proven efficacy. In particular, an intranasal insulin delivery system combined with an intranasal administration device developed in cooperation with Bioactis Ltd., another member of the SNBL group, has reached the clinical trial stage. A considerable amount of information is available on formulations for intranasal insulin delivery developed so far, but most of these formulations contained absorption enhancers that have been beset by problems of irritancy, and concerns regarding safety have precluded clinical application. Our concept has been to develop a system without the need for absorption enhancers. We have produced a high-performance, pocket-sized, intranasal administration device that can be used easily by patients. By developing both a superior intranasal formulation in tandem with a superior administration device, we believe that the day when a widely acceptable intranasal insulin delivery system is available for use by diabetic patients is drawing near.

We have established the Translational Research (SNBL) Chair in the Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Science in Hokkaido University, as part of our efforts to support the clinical application of basic university research. SNBL is proud of its corporate mission to alleviate human suffering by promoting new drug development and medical advancement. With this in mind, SNBL is supporting future research in the field of medical pharmacy by offering the expertise and business know-how that we have cultivated over the years, contributing to medical advance and human resources development through the establishment of the professorial chair. While closely examining research fields and activity in universities, we will continue to support joint research between the academic and business sectors, and from now, we will play an active role in developing human resources through education and advice for highly motivated university students on new fields of research both in Japan and overseas.

As a member of the SNBL Group, our mission is the promotion of human health worldwide.

Contact Address

• Translational Research, Ltd.
  c/o SNBL, St Luke's Tower 12F
  8-1, Akashi-cho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, 104-0044
  Japan
  phone:+81 3 5565 6148, fax:+81 3 5565 6208