2021.11.22
Participation in the Startup City Acceleration Program
November 22, 2021
J-Pharma Co., Ltd.
We would like to announce that J-Pharma Co., Ltd. (President & CEO: Masuhiro Yoshitake; Head Office:Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa; hereinafter referred to as J-Pharma) has been selected as a startup company to participate in the “Startup City Acceleration Program” organized by the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO).
This program aims to offer internationally leading accelerators’ acceleration programs to startups in eight core startup cities involved in the “Startup Ecosystem Creation Project” set up by the Cabinet Office in order to help these startups expand their businesses globally.
With support and other aid in the establishment of a business scheme and promotion activities from the
Cambridge Innovation Center (CIC), an accelerator in the Bio/Healthcare Course, J-Pharma will aim to expand its business to other countries and work in partnership with investors and industry companies by utilizing CIC’s connections with the pharmaceutical, life science, and healthcare industries as an aid.
J-Pharma will participate in the following course:
| Stage | Global Scale |
|---|---|
| Course | Bio/Healthcare |
| Period (planned) | Until February 2022 |
| Accelerator | CIC |
About J-Pharma
(1) Name: J-Pharma Co., Ltd.
(2) Location: 75-1 Onocho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa
(3) Title and Name of Representative Director: President & CEO, Masuhiro Yoshitake
(4) Business Activities: Pharmaceutical Research & Development
(5) Capital: 955 million JPY (as of the end of September 2021)
(6) Establishment: December 26, 2005
(7) Company Website: http://www.j-pharma.com
About JPH203
—Achievement of “Last Patient In (LPI)” in a Phase 2 Clinical Study—
JPH203 is J-Pharma’s original small molecule that competitively inhibits the amino acid binding pocket of L-type amino acid transporter (LAT1) by expressing on the cell membrane when cells such as cancer cells need huge amounts of energy due to rapid proliferation and/or activation. JPH203 is the first LAT1-targeted compound undergoing clinical studies and will become a first-in-class medicine when approved by competent authorities.
J-Pharma confirmed its tolerability and preliminary efficacy in advanced solid cancer patients through a Phase 1 study. JPH203 is now undergoing a Phase 2 clinical study to treat advanced biliary tract cancer patients who are refractory or intolerant to standard chemotherapy. In this Phase 2 clinical study, the “Last Patient In (LPI),” which refers to the enrollment of the last patient, was completed in August 2021. Top-line results are expected to be obtained in spring 2022.
—Exclusive rights of JPH203 —
The exclusivity of JPH203 on the Japanese market will be maintained until 2044 thanks to three patents: the composition patent, the use patent as an anticancer drug (issued in July 2020), and the use patent as patient classification by biomarker (issued in June 2021).
About OKY-034
—Achievement of “Last Patient Last Visit (LPLV)” in a Phase 1/2a Clinical Study—
OKY-034 is a novel small molecule allosterically binding the LAT1 and holding the amino acid uptake
movements of LAT-1. J-Pharma executed a worldwide, exclusive license (with sub-license) agreement with Osaka University and KNC Laboratories Co., Ltd., both of which possess the composition patent for OKY-034.
At Osaka University, an investigator-initiated Phase 1/2a clinical study of OKY-034 is underway to treat advanced, unresectable pancreatic cancer patients who are refractory or intolerant to standard chemotherapy. This study is being conducted with the support of the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED) (Project Promoting Clinical Trials for Development of New Drugs; sub-project name: “Investigatorinitiated Clinical Study to Explore the Safety and Efficacy of a Novel LAT1 Inhibitor in Pancreatic Cancer Patients”). In this Phase 1/2a study, the “Last Patient Last Visit (LPLV),” which refers to completion of the entire observation period of the last patient, was achieved in September 2021. The final report of the study is expected to be completed by the end of March 2022.
Contact: Tomohiro Yuzawa, Director,
Corporate Management
Tel: 045-506-1155
info@j-pharma.com
