KH Neochem Co., Ltd. (TSE: 4189, President and CEO: Michio Takahashi, “KH Neochem”) is pleased to announce that we have signed an agreement with Veneno Technologies Co. Ltd. (President & CEO: Kazunori Yoshikawa, “Veneno Technologies”) on the verification of technological synergies between Glycans and disulfide-rich peptide (“DRP”)*1 and an agreement on capital alliance.
The glycans, which KH Neochem is working on as part of its new business, are expected to have a variety of benefits, such as improving the pharmacokinetics of biopharmaceuticals and suppressing side effects. Meanwhile, Veneno Technologies has been exploring ways to improve the kinetics of peptide drugs while searching for lead compounds (compounds that will serve as the seeds of drug discovery) using its proprietary DRP. Both companies hypothesized that glycosylation of DRP could further improve its pharmacokinetics in the body and have been verifying this hypothesis through joint research since April 2024. Now, the two companies have entered into a capital and business alliance agreement with the aim of creating further synergies between KH Neochem’s glycan business and Veneno Technologies’ DRP technology and accelerating DRP drug discovery.
Through this alliance, we aim to demonstrate the functions of glycans and further increase the value of DRP, as well as to support Veneno Technologies and its DRP drug discovery platform business and contribute to next-generation pharmaceutical development. Through these efforts, we will contribute to the enrichment of people’s lives and aim for sustainable growth toward the realization of VISION 2030*2.
- Comments from companies
<Comment from Yukihiro Isogai, Executive Officer and CMO of KH Neochem Co., Ltd.>
KH Neochem has been developing production technologies to ensure a stable supply of glycans for biopharmaceuticals. We believe that this capital and business alliance with Veneno Technologies will enable us to demonstrate the pharmacological activity and pharmacokinetic improvement effects of s glycans and promote the importance of glycans in biopharmaceuticals.
<Comment from Kazunori Yoshikawa, President & CEO of Veneno Technologies Co. Ltd.>
Glycans are molecules that exist on proteins and cell surfaces and are deeply involved in biological activities, and have been the focus of much attention in recent years. By entering into a capital and business alliance with KH Neochem, we have high expectations that the clarification of the functions and roles of glycosylation will lead to better peptide drug discovery.
- About Veneno Technologies Co. Ltd.
| Company name | Veneno Technologies Co. Ltd. |
| Head office | 2-1-6 Sengen, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-0047, Japan |
| Founded | July 2020 |
| Representative | 100 million yen |
| Business | Research and development of novel drug, agrichemicals, and biochemicals |
| URL | https://veneno.jp/ |
- About glycans
KH Neochem, aiming to achieve our “VISION 2030,” has designated “Environment,” “Healthcare,” and “Electronics” as strategic domains. “KH i-Lab,” a newly established research hub, has been dedicated to accelerating research and development and driving creation of new businesses by leveraging an open innovation strategy. In the healthcare domain, KH Neochem has focused on the potential of glycans, and has developed proprietary glycans and manufacturing technologies.
In living organisms, glycans are linked to proteins and lipids on cell surfaces and within cells. Due to modulating the function and stability of the binding substances, glycoproteins and glycolipids influence in various biological events such as cell adhesion and differentiation. It has been known that many diseases and disorders are associated with glycan abnormalities. Along with nucleic acids and proteins, these glycans comprise “the third life chain” because of their involvement in various vital phenomena.
As the third life chain, glycans have been actively investigated in life science fields to elucidate vital biological processes and develop new drugs, but artificial synthesis of glycans is difficult because of the great diversity of glycan structures. Supplying a large and stable amount of glycans remains a significant challenge for use not only in academic research but also in industrial applications. KH Neochem has developed original glycan manufacturing technology to ensure a stable supply and is accelerating marketing efforts to explore partners for value creation through glycan applications.
■GlyMuch™ glycans by KH Neochem
https://www.khneochem.co.jp/en/solution/features/glycans/service/
- About Veneno Technologies
Focusing on DRPs, peptides with high bioactivity, Veneno Technologies has developed a unique drug discovery platform, “Veneno SuiteTM,” to accelerate DRP-based drug discovery. This new technology will promote the development of novel drug discovery and biochemical business for membrane proteins*3 such as ion channels*4, transporters*5, and GPCRs*6, which have been considered difficult to address in drug discovery.
■Veneno Technology
https://veneno.jp/technology/
1 disulfide-rich peptide (“DRP”)
Disulfide-Rich Peptide (DRP) is a generic term for peptides with multiple intramolecular disulfide bonds, typically composed of 20 to 80 amino acid residues. The rigid framework created by multiple disulfide bonds makes DRPs resistance to proteolytic enzymes and highly thermally stable. Additionally, due to their compact and stable structure, DRPs are known to have low immunogenicity. These properties make DRP a useful lead molecule for peptide drug discovery.
2 About “VISION 2030”
https://ssl4.eir-parts.net/doc/4189/ir_material_for_fiscal_ym/56482/00.pdf
3 Membrane proteins
A protein found in cell membranes, it is involved in material transport, information transmission, and maintenance of cell structure. It is also attracting attention as a target for pharmaceuticals.
4 Ion channel
It is a membrane protein that selectively allows certain ions to pass through the cell membrane. It is important for nerve transmission and muscle contraction.
5 Transporter
It is a membrane protein that transports certain substances through the cell membrane into and out of the cell. It is involved in transport of nutrients and waste products.
6 G Protein-Coupled Receptors (GPCR)
It is a type of membrane protein that receive signals from outside the cell and transmits them into the cell, and is of great importance in drug development as a drug target.
For inquiries regarding this matter, please contact:
・Corporate Communications and Investor Relations
KH Neochem Co., Ltd.
kouhou@khneochem.co.jp
・KH i-Lab:KH Neochem innovation Laboratory
innovation@khneochem.co.jp
・Veneno Technologies Co. Ltd.
info@veneno.jp