3M Partners With Japanese Drug Firm

3M Co. announced plans to work with a Japanese firm to develop and market a potential treatment for two conditions that can lead to cervical cancer. Under the agreement, 3M and Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Limited will share further development costs for the compound, which is currently in the first phase of clinical testing. Osaka, Japan-based Takeda will have exclusive rights to the treatment in Japan and certain other Asian countries; Maplewood-based 3M will have exclusive rights in all other areas of the world.

The Business Journal (http://www.bizjournals.com/twincities/stories/2005/02/28/daily19.html)