August 14, 2026
J-Pharma Co., Ltd.
J-Pharma Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Minato-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Masuhiro Yoshitake; hereinafter “J-Pharma” or the “Company”) today announced that its LAT1 inhibitor development program and collaboration with Georgetown University in the U.S. have been included in the FY2026 Annual Report published by the university’s Office of Technology Commercialization (“Georgetown OTC”).
The report includes a brief highlight about J-Pharma’s initiation of a Phase I clinical trial of an amino acid transporter inhibitor, building on its exclusive license under Georgetown University-owned patents covering the use of LAT1 inhibitors for the treatment of inflammatory diseases of the central nervous system, including multiple sclerosis. The report also notes that this program, together with J-Pharma’s Phase III oncology trial based on the same LAT1 inhibition approach, helped support J-Pharma’s initial public offering (IPO).
The central nervous system disease program featured in the report relates to JPH034, which J-Pharma is developing for multiple sclerosis. J-Pharma has conducted collaborative research with Georgetown University since 2019. In addition to holding an exclusive license under the composition-of-matter patent covering JPH034, J-Pharma obtained an exclusive worldwide license in 2024 under related patents owned by the University. J-Pharma initiated a Phase I clinical trial of JPH034 in the United States in March 2026.
Georgetown University OTC FY2026 Annual Report (English)
URL: https://georgetown.app.box.com/v/2026-otc-annual-report-final
Relevant section: p. 6, “Licenses, Partnerships, and Collaborations”
“We believe that the inclusion of this program in Georgetown OTC’s FY2026 Annual Report demonstrates the research and development progress achieved through the partnership between the two organizations,” said Masuhiro Yoshitake, President and CEO of J-Pharma Co., Ltd.
Going forward, J-Pharma will further strengthen its collaboration with Georgetown University and steadily advance the development of JPH034 for multiple sclerosis, with the aim of creating new treatment options for patients with unmet medical needs.
Background
About JPH034
JPH034 is a LAT1 inhibitor with high brain penetration. After entering the brain, it targets microglia, the resident immune cells of the central nervous system. This mechanism has the potential to provide a novel therapeutic approach for non-relapsing secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (nrSPMS), for which treatment options remain limited.
JPH034 was selected for a Fast Forward Research Grant from the U.S. National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS), which is known for its rigorous evaluation standards, and received USD 600,000 in funding. In addition, JPH034 was selected for the Drug Discovery Venture Ecosystem Program of the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED) (research project title: “A Novel LAT1 Inhibitor for Multiple Sclerosis”), under which its development has been advanced.
From an intellectual property perspective, J-Pharma has secured an exclusive worldwide license under Georgetown University-owned patents covering the use of LAT1 inhibitors for the treatment of inflammatory diseases of the central nervous system, including multiple sclerosis, thereby strengthening its exclusive position in the development and commercialization of JPH034.
Related Information
– Ongoing Phase I clinical trial (JPH034) being conducted in the United States
https://www.j-pharma.com/en/clinical_trial/jph034_p1/
– Conclusion of License Agreement with Georgetown University (June 3, 2024)
https://www.j-pharma.com/en/news/2176/
– J-Pharma Initiates Phase I Clinical Trial of JPH034 – First Subject Dosed (March 23, 2026)
https://www.j-pharma.com/en/news/3332/
– JPH034 Phase I Clinical Trial Registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (April 20, 2026)
https://www.j-pharma.com/en/news/3479/
About J-Pharma Co., Ltd.
J-Pharma Co., Ltd. aims to pursue new possibilities for SLC transporters and contribute to the hope and health of people worldwide through the development of innovative new drugs that address unmet medical needs. Under this mission, the Company has focused on LAT1 (L-type amino acid transporter 1), one of the SLC transporters discovered by the Company’s founder, and is advancing the development of LAT1 inhibitors to address the needs of patients with cancer and autoimmune diseases, where existing drugs are insufficient. For more information, please visit:https://www.j-pharma.com/en/
Inquiries:
J-Pharma Co., Ltd.
Planning Department
TEL: +81-3-6432-4270
https://www.j-pharma.com/en/contact