Licensing Agreement with BioMimetics Sympathies for COVID-19 Treatment Candidate and Establishment of Research Organization 'RB⁺' to Uncover Novel Drug Targets from Regenerative Medicine Research
Apr 14, 2021
ROHTO Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Osaka City, President: Masashi Sugimoto) is pleased to announce that we have entered into a licensing agreement with BioMimetics Sympathies Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Tokyo, President and CEO: Naoki Urushibata, hereinafter referred to as BioMimetics Sympathies) for one of the candidate compounds (Quinolone-based compound: patent pending) identified as a potential treatment for COVID-19. In collaboration with BioMimetics Sympathies, we will advance the development of this candidate compound.
Additionally, based on the discovery of candidate compounds for the treatment of COVID-19, we are establishing a research and development organization called "RB+" to translate the findings of regenerative medicine research into the discovery of novel drug targets. This initiative is aimed at providing effective treatment candidates for other critical medical issues as well. Both companies will operate "RB+" together and accelerate efforts toward practical applications of treatments through open innovation.
About the Licensing Agreement for the Candidate Compound (Quinolone-based Compound)
BioMimetics Sympathies identified a potential treatment for COVID-19 with inhibitory effects on the transcription factor FOXO1, which plays a crucial role in the regulation of gene expression for ACE2 and TMPRSS2. This discovery led to the identification of candidate compounds with FOXO1 inhibitory properties, and one of these compounds, a Quinolone-based compound, is the subject of the licensing agreement announced today.
This compound is groundbreaking as it effectively suppresses the gene expression of both ACE2 and TMPRSS2, which are essential for the entry and infection of the novel coronavirus into human cells. While previous drugs targeted either ACE2 or TMPRSS2 individually, this compound has the unique ability to inhibit both. Going forward, ROHTO Pharmaceutical and BioMimetics Sympathies will collaborate on the joint development of this compound and explore its commercialization.
About "RB+" – Translating Regenerative Medicine Research into Novel Drug Targets
To extend the methodology used to identify candidate compounds for the treatment of COVID-19 from regenerative medicine research to the development of treatments for other diseases, ROHTO Pharmaceutical and BioMimetics Sympathies are launching a new research and development organization called "RB+." "RB+" will aim to unravel the treatment mechanisms for many diseases targeted by mesenchymal stem cells in the near future, discover previously unknown drug targets, and involve other companies through open innovation to accelerate efforts towards practical applications of treatments.
About BioMimetics Sympathies Co., Ltd.
| Location |
Koto-ku, Tokyo |
| Representative |
Chief Executive Officer Naoki Urushibata |
| Business Activities |
・Research development and clinical development related to cellular medicinal products
・Licensing out of products, intellectual properties, and rights related to regenerative medicine
・Cosmetics, reagents and culture medium business based on regenerative medicine technology
・Development of regenerative medicine-related businesses
・Regenerative medicine support
|
| URL |
https://www.bm-s.biz/ |
Glossary
- Mesenchymal stem cellsCells with the potential to differentiate into osteoblasts, fat cells, cartilage cells, and other cell types. They are sometimes referred to as mesenchymal stromal cells because it is unclear whether they function as stem cells in their tissue of origin.
- Transcription factorsA group of proteins that specifically bind to DNA and control gene expression.
- FOXO1: A transcription factor.
- ACE2: A protein that cleaves the spike protein of the novel coronavirus bound to ACE2, essential for infection.
- TMPRSS2: A protein that activates a spike protein that is critical for infection by cleaving the spike protein of a novel coronavirus bound to ACE2, essential for infection.
- Spike proteinA protein on the surface of the novel coronavirus that binds to human cell surface proteins.