Japanese firms link up on new peptide drug conjugate discovery

Shares of Japanese biotech PeptiDream (TYO: 4587) were up 7.42% at 4,560 yen today, after it revealed that it has entered into a multi-program collaborative research agreement with Osaka-based Shionogi (TYO: 4507) for the discovery and development of a series of blood brain barrier (BBB) penetrating peptide drug-conjugates (PDCs).

PeptiDream will use its proprietary Peptide Discovery Platform System (PDPS) technology to identify macrocyclic/constrained peptides against multiple targets known to be involved in shuttling compounds across the BBB, selected by Shionogi. Identified peptides will then be optimized to maximize BBB penetration, cargo conjugation, and the types of cargoes they are capable of shuttling across the BBB. The companies will then work together to produce novel PDC therapeutics for CNS indications, by combining BBB carrier peptides, identified by PeptiDream, with Shionogi’s own drugs and/or drug candidate compounds.

Under the terms of the agreement, PeptiDream will receive an undisclosed upfront payment, annual R&D funding, and is eligible for payments associated with the achievement of certain preclinical and clinical development milestones, in addition to royalties on sales of any products containing the PDCs commercialized by Shionogi.