SIIFIC is proud to share that our portfolio company, J Pharma, has been featured in Nikkei Biotech’s article, “Investigating the Clinical Development Pipelines of Startups: Increasing Trends in Overseas Clinical Trials.” The original article is in Japanese, but here is our translation into English (only the sections where J Pharma was mentioned).
Which Japanese Startup is Going Global?
The article delves into Japanese startups aiming for global market acquisition, particularly focusing on those developing their products overseas and nearing approval stages.
J Pharma: LAT1 Inhibitors Advancing to Global Phase 3 Trials
J Pharma, led by CEO Masuhiro Yoshitake, is making significant progress in the development of LAT1 inhibitors. Their key projects include JPH203 (Nanvuranlat, injectable) and JPH034 (oral). JPH203 has successfully completed Phase 2 clinical trials for biliary tract cancer, meeting primary evaluation criteria and yielding promising results in subgroup analyses.
Currently, J Pharma is collaborating with Ohara Pharmaceuticals for secondary treatment of biliary tract cancer, aiming for early approval in Japan and engaging with the FDA for Phase 3 global clinical trials. With 25,000 new cases diagnosed annually in the US and Europe, and limited approved secondary treatments, J Pharma is poised to address a significant unmet need.
JPH034, distinct from JPH203 in pharmacokinetics, shows efficacy for central nervous system diseases. Developed in collaboration with Georgetown University, JPH034 has demonstrated potential as a treatment for multiple sclerosis in preclinical studies. On June 3, 2024, J Pharma secured an exclusive license agreement with Georgetown University for this indication, further extending their exclusivity with a usage patent for LAT1 inhibitors in central nervous system diseases.
A spokesperson for J Pharma emphasized that obtaining a usage patent not only extends the exclusivity period beyond that of a substance patent but also prevents other companies from developing LAT1 inhibitors for the same indication, ensuring strong business exclusivity.
We are excited to see the continued progress and achievements of J Pharma as they move closer to providing groundbreaking treatments for significant health challenges.
Read the full article here.