Epsilon Molecular Engineering Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Saitama City, Saitama Prefecture, President and CEO: Naoto Nemoto, hereinafter referred to as EME) is pleased to announce that it has entered into a joint research and development agreement with JCR Pharma Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Ashiya City, Hyogo Prefecture, Chairman and President: Makoto Ashida, hereinafter referred to as JCR Pharma) for the purpose of drug discovery related to next-generation antibody VHH (*3), utilizing EME's unique humanized VHH screening platform ( a technology that efficiently obtains VHH antibodies suitable for drug discovery by combining screening methods based on "PharmaLogical® Library" (*1) and cDNA display technology (*2), hereinafter referred to as the Platform).
This agreement stipulates that, using our platform, we will identify humanized VHH antibodies that can serve as development candidates for drug targets that JCR Pharma aims to develop, and that JCR Pharma will create and clinically develop these development candidates.
Upon signing this agreement, EME will receive an upfront payment during the current fiscal year. Milestone fees will also be paid to EME in accordance with future R&D progress. Furthermore, if the development candidate proceeds to non-clinical trials, a separate agreement will be concluded, and EME will receive milestone fees related to non-clinical and clinical trials, as well as royalties after market launch. Please note that the amounts of the upfront payment and other related payments will not be disclosed due to contractual obligations and future sales policies in relation to other pharmaceutical companies.
*1 PharmaLogical® Library: A unique humanized VHH artificial library designed to maximize the structural characteristics of VHH, which can recognize antigen-binding sites that are unrecognizable by conventional antibodies.
*2 cDNA display technology: A technology that allows the acquisition of target proteins in vitro by matching genotypes/phenotypes. It is possible to screen 10 trillion to 100 trillion types of molecules at once.
*3 VHH: This refers to the variable region (domain) of antibodies (single-chain heavy chain antibodies) composed solely of heavy chains found in camelid animals. It has superior stability and modifiability compared to ordinary antibodies.
[ Key Features of PharmaLogical® Library]
- Design based on crystal structure analysis data of VHH antibodies
This humanized VHH library was designed based on the structural characteristics obtained from crystal structure analysis data of human FR sequences and VHH that are already in clinical use for the antibody framework (FR) portion. The three CDRs (Complementarity Determining Regions) that form the antigen recognition site were designed based on structural characteristics information obtained from alpaca-derived VHH, and further diversity is achieved by greatly randomizing CDR3, which is known to contribute most to antigen binding. - Designed to suppress the frequency of amino acid appearance that causes heterogeneity in formulation.
Amino acids that are easily modified, as well as those that can cause major structural changes such as cysteine and proline residues, can lead to heterogeneity in the formulation process. By designing CDRs that suppress the frequency of these amino acids, it is possible to minimize the challenges that arise in the drug discovery process. - An unprecedented and innovative VHH screening
PharmaLogical® Library has 1013-14With diverse library sizes ranging from 10 trillion to 100 trillion, and a screening system based on EME's core technology, cDNA display technology, we can develop unprecedented and innovative VHH screening.
[About Epsilon Molecular Engineering Co., Ltd.]
EME is a bio-venture company that has been developing innovative modality pharmaceuticals since 2016, based on evolutionary molecular engineering as its core technology. Leveraging its unique screening technology and molecular design methods, EME engages in collaborative research and development not only in pharmaceutical development but also in diagnostic agents and regenerative medicine reagents. With the corporate mission of "creating the biomolecules of the future," EME aims to contribute broadly to society and people's lives.
Homepage: https://www.epsilon-mol.co.jp/
[Contact]
Epsilon Molecular Engineering Co., Ltd.
Business Development Division
E-mail: contact_eme@epsilon-mol.co.jp