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Shionogi & Co., Ltd. (Head office: Chuo-ku, Osaka; President & CEO: Isao Teshirogi; hereafter “Shionogi”) and Shimadzu Corporation (Head office: Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto; President & CEO: Teruhisa Ueda; hereafter “Shimadzu”) announced the establishment of AdvanSentinel Inc. (Head office: Chuo-ku, Osaka; President & CEO: Masatoshi Koga; hereafter “AdvanSentinel”), a joint venture for the purpose of conducting public health risk assessment, including wastewater surveillance.

In Europe and the United States, by regularly monitoring novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) in urban sewage, early detection of epidemic conditions and determination of convergence are performed, and also monitor the wastewater of the facility to detect cluster infections at an early stage. Shinogi and Shimadzu discussed the establishment of a joint venture. This was connected to a business partnership for the early social implementation of wastewater monitoring, which was triggered by the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic¹.

The recently established AdvanSentinel aims to build an All-Japan system, mainly to grasp the next pandemic and public health risks, not only COVID-19. This will be accomplished by bringing together networks² through wastewater monitoring cultivated by both companies, and also by using development capabilties for new analytical methods, which leverages science, a forte of Shionogi, and environmental molecular measurement technology, strengths of Shimadzu.

Shinogi and Shimadzu, through the establishment of AdvanSentinel, aim to contribute to the more accurate grasping of COVID-19 infection trends, an urgent issue, via the surveillance of wastewater. Going forward, Shionogi and Shimadzu plans to build an infrastructure to visualize risk by assessing the risk of infectious diseases other then COVID-19 as well as evaluating public health risks which could possibly have a negative impact people’s health and the ecosystem. The companies look to tackle solutions to social issues by providing information connected to social security and appropriate measures.

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About Shionogi & Co., Ltd.

Shionogi is committed to “protect people worldwide from the threat of infectious diseases” as our key focus. We are not limiting ourselves to the research and development of therapeutics, but are also pursuing total care for infectious diseases, through pre-symptomatic, awareness building, prevention, diagnosis, and addressing exacerbations, as well as the treating the infection itself. As a leading company to fight infectious diseases, in order to contribute to the recovery of social security and safety through the early termination of COVID 19, we are working on the development of new therapeutic drugs and vaccines and maximizing the value of existing compounds. In addition, we will strengthen our efforts, including collaboration with external partners, to provide healthcare solutions to a larger number of patients.

About Shimadzu Corporation

Based on the corporate philosophy, "Contributing to society through science and technology," Shimadzu is engaged in the business of analytical and measuring instruments, medical systems, aircraft equipment, industrial machinery, and other products. Our medium-term management plan, launched in fiscal 2020, aims to become a company that solves challenges in society in collaboration with parters all around the world. In the Infectious Diseases Control Project, which we are particularly focusing on, we have been engaged in the development and sales of COVID 19 detection reagent kits and full-automatic PCR testing equipment for clinics, as well as support for the establishment of PCR testing centers at educational institutions. We will continue to strive to prevent the spread of COVID 19 and to realize a safe and secure society through a variety of products, technologies and services.

Forward-Looking Statements

This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These statements are based on expectations in light of the information currently available, assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from these statements. Risks and uncertainties include general domestic and international economic conditions such as general industry and market conditions, and changes of interest rate and currency exchange rate. These risks and uncertainties particularly apply with respect to product-related forward-looking statements. Product risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, completion and discontinuation of clinical trials; obtaining regulatory approvals; claims and concerns about product safety and efficacy; technological advances; adverse outcome of important litigation; domestic and foreign healthcare reforms and changes of laws and regulations. Also for existing products, there are manufacturing and marketing risks, which include, but are not limited to, inability to build production capacity to meet demand, lack of availability of raw materials and entry of competitive products. The company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

References：

1. Shionogi Press Release on June, 2
   Notice Regarding the Signing of Basic Agreement of Business Partnership between SHIMADZU and SHIONOGI for Wastewater Surveillance for Viruses in the Field of Infectious Diseases, Including Novel Coronavirus
2. Shionogi Press Release on June, 14
   SHIONOGI Announces the Start of the Wastewater Epidemiological Surveillance Service for the Novel Coronavirus in Japan