Announcement of in-license agreement for a candidate compound of novel anticancer drug which inhibits amino acid transporter-1 (LAT1)

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Announcement of in-license agreement for a candidate compound of novel anticancer drug which inhibits amino acid transporter-1 (LAT1) We are pleased to inform you that J-Pharma entered into an exclusive license agreement with sublicensing rights with Osaka University and KNC Laboratories Co., Ltd. (Head office: Kobe City, President: Katsutoshi Hirose, hereinafter referred to as “KNC”) for the inhibitor of L-amino acid transporter-1 (LAT1) jointly created by Osaka University and KNC. By signing the agreement, J-Pharma will pay a contract lump sum, make milestone payments and royalties to Osaka University and KNC. The LAT1 inhibitor has been proven to exert anticancer effect by inhibiting the amino acid transporter specifically expressed in cancer cells, thereby inhibiting the supply of amino acids which are essential nutrients necessary for the growth of cancer cells. The LAT1 inhibitor is a molecular targeted therapeutic agent with new mechanism of action which is different from existing anticancer drugs. It has low side effects and is not only expected to be effective for patients who do not show efficacy with existing anticancer drug, but it also has a potential to show synergistic effects with existing anticancer drugs.
The manufacturing method of the compound and the nonclinical studies were established by the support of National Institute of Biomedical Innovation for pioneering drug, Network Program A and B provided by Ministry of Science and Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED), and also by the support of AMED Next Generation Cancer Medicine Creation Research Project.

In addition, J-Pharma and the University of Osaka are planning to start doctor-initiated clinical trial of LAT1 inhibitor in the next fiscal year by AMED Bridging Research Strategic Promotion Program Seeds C.