Kobe University

TOKYO, Oct. 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Renalys Pharma, Inc. (Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; "Renalys") is pleased to announce the company is providing financial support for the Alport Syndrome Registry Study organized by the Japanese Society for Pediatric Nephrology (Head Office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo). The study is headed by Professor Kandai Nozu, Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe University. Renalys will provide research funding for this initiative but will not be involved in the study's undertaking, data analysis, or publication. Speaking on the announcement, Professor Koichi Nakanishi, President of the Japanese Society for Pediatric Nephrology and Professor of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medicine, University of the Ryukyus, said: "Registry studies are essential for visualizing real-world medical practice. They are indispensable for improving the quality of healthcare, informing policy decisions, and establishing evidence-based treatment approaches. We sincerely welcome Renalys' support for this Alport Syndrome Registry Study." Professor Kandai Nozu, Principal Investigator of the study, added: "More than 300 cases have already been registered in this study, and a uniquely high-quality registry, distinct from those overseas, is being established in Japan. The data collected will be invaluable for understanding the clinical characteristics of Alport syndrome, evaluating the effectiveness of existing therapies, and assessing the efficacy of new drugs currently under development. We are deeply grateful to Renalys for its support, which will help sustain this high-quality registry." Renalys is committed to advancing its mission of delivering better treatment options to patients in Japan and across Asia by developing innovative therapeutics for kidney-related diseases. About the Alport Syndrome Registry Study This study aims to collect and analyze data from as many patients with Alport syndrome as possible in Japan. By sharing this information with patients, physicians, and healthcare professionals, the study seeks to promote appropriate disease management and contribute to the development of new treatments and medicines. For more details, please visit the official website: About Alport Syndrome Alport syndrome is a hereditary kidney disorder characterized by hematuria and proteinuria that begin in childhood and progressively lead to renal impairment. The disease results from mutations in genes encoding type IV collagen, causing structural defects in the glomerular basement membrane and consequent renal dysfunction. Severe cases often progress to end-stage renal disease in male patients during late adolescence or early adulthood and may also present with hearing loss or ocular symptoms. As a rare disease (designated intractable disease No. 218), Alport syndrome remains without an established curative treatment, and effective therapeutic options are urgently needed. About Renalys Pharma, Inc. Renalys Pharma, a privately held late-stage clinical biopharmaceutical company based in Japan, is committed to the development of innovative therapeutics targeting unmet needs in the management of renal disease for Japanese and Asian patients. Founded by Catalys Pacific and SR One, the company aims to address the growing "drug loss" in the region by catalyzing access to new treatments for kidney disease patients. Company Name: Renalys Pharma, Inc. Address: 3-11, Nihonbashi-honcho 2-chome, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Japan Representative: BT Slingsby, MD, PhD, MPH URL: [Disclaimer] Information concerning pharmaceutical products (compound under development) contained herein is not intended as advertising or as medical advice, but intended for disclosure of management information. SOURCE Renalys Pharma, Inc. WANT YOUR COMPANY'S NEWS FEATURED ON PRNEWSWIRE.COM? 440k+ Newsrooms & Influencers 9k+ Digital Media Outlets 270k+ Journalists Opted In GET STARTED

OSAKA, Japan, Oct. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Alpha Fusion, Inc. (CEO: Sunao Fujioka, headquartered in Kita-ku, Osaka), has raised a total of ¥1.02 billion through a Series B funding round. The round was led by SBI Investment Co., Ltd. and OSAKA University Venture Capital, with participation from several new investors. This funding will enable Alpha Fusion to accelerate its research and development efforts, enhance its supply chain, and deliver Japan's cutting-edge cancer therapies to the global market as quickly as possible. Alpha Fusion Leading the World in Astatine-based Drug Discovery Alpha Fusion is a pioneering startup dedicated to bringing "Targeted Alpha Therapy (TAT) using Astatine (At-211)" to cancer patients worldwide. As a leader in the clinical development of Astatine-based therapeutics, Alpha Fusion is advancing its pipeline and building a highly efficient supply chain using cyclotrons in collaboration with partners across the globe. TAT is highly anticipated to become a foundational drug discovery platform in oncology, offering the potential to create numerous novel treatments. In the past year, several major pharmaceutical companies in Europe and the U.S. have acquired startups developing Actinium (Ac-225) -based radiopharmaceuticals, signaling a surge of interest in this field. Astatine (At-211) is garnering attention for its short half-life, which anticipates clinical safety, its halogen properties that allow it to be directly labeled into low-mid sized-molecule ligands, its ease of sourcing raw material, and the simplicity of its production using cyclotrons. Business Progress and the Impact of Series B Funding Since our Series A funding round in May 2023, Alpha Fusion has made significant strides, as detailed below: 1. 1st Pipeline (Thyroid Cancer, Phase 1 ongoing): Progress in high-dose administration, approaching the determination of recommended dosages. 2. 2nd Pipeline (Prostate Cancer, Phase 1 ongoing): Successful completion of the world's first administration of [211At]PSMA-5 to a patient in June. 3. Additional Pipelines: Multiple pipeline developments underway through both in-house R&D and collaborations. July 2023: Initiated joint research with QST Chiba for tumor-specific targeting. August 2023: Began joint research with QST Takasaki/Niigata University on novel Astatine-labeling platform technologies. 4. Supply Chain: Progress in manufacturing preparations for clinical trial drugs both domestically and internationally, shaping the future of our supply chain. First half of 2024: Completion of Osaka University's TAT Cyclotron building to enable efficient Astatine production. First half of 2024: Set up GMP facilities for clinical trial drug production in Japan and advanced collaboration with overseas CDMOs. 5. Intellectual Property: Received patent approvals covering manufacturing methods, materials, and applications related to our pipeline. 6. Research Centers: Expanded domestic research operations, including a new center in Tsukuba (SakuLab-Tsukuba), in addition to Osaka University's research hub. 7. Team Expansion: Strengthened the advisory board and enhanced functional capabilities critical to pharmaceutical development (e.g., supply chain, CMC, quality assurance, clinical development, regulatory affairs). With this funding, we will accelerate our R&D efforts and prepare for company-sponsored clinical trials, enhance our supply chain for GMP-grade clinical trial drug production domestically and internationally, and further expand our team. We are committed to demonstrating the unique advantages of Astatine-based drug discovery with tangible business results and clinical evidence. Investors in Series B Round (in no particular order): New Investors: SBI Investment Co., Ltd. Mitsui Mining & Smelting Co., Ltd. Kobe University Capital Joyo Capital Partners Existing Investors (Follow-on Investment): OSAKA University Venture Capital D3 LLC JGC Corporation Comments from Alpha Fusion CEO, Sun ao Fujioka "In the past year, Alpha Fusion has made great progress. We are strategically advancing pipeline R&D and supply chain construction by leveraging the unique characteristics of Astatine: its short half-life, the potential for pipeline expansion due to its halogen properties, and the stable supply enabled by cyclotron production. The market is moving rapidly, with ongoing M&A and large-scale funding in the TAT sector globally. As we continue developing TAT pipelines, this funding round serves as a critical step toward company-sponsored clinical trials and GMP-grade Astatine drug production. We will push forward, engaging more stakeholders to realize our mission of advancing cancer treatment." About Alpha Fusion Alpha Fusion, Inc. was established to commercialize Astatine (At-211) drug discovery, based on research outcomes from Osaka University and the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) OPERA QiSS program. The company is dedicated to unleashing the therapeutic potential of Alpha (Astatine) therapy in the fast-emerging field of Targeted Alpha Therapy. Through world-class R&D and business development, Alpha Fusion aims to bring this innovative modality to the forefront of cancer treatment. Contact Information For further inquiries, please contact: Email: [email protected] SOURCE Alpha Fusion Inc WANT YOUR COMPANY'S NEWS FEATURED ON PRNEWSWIRE.COM? 440k+ Newsrooms & Influencers 9k+ Digital Media Outlets 270k+ Journalists Opted In GET STARTED

FRIDAY, Sept. 27, 2024 -- Casual blood glucose (CBG) testing at 24 to 28 gestational weeks misses about 70 percent of women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), according to a study published online Sept. 18 in the Journal of Diabetes Investigation . Masako Tomimoto, M.D., from the Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine in Japan, and colleagues enrolled 763 pregnant women who underwent the 50-g glucose challenge test (GCT) at 24 to 28 gestational weeks to examine problems in screening for GDM by CBG measurements. The preload blood glucose (0-h BG) on 50-g GCT with CBG was identified, and the relationship between 50-g GCT positivity (1-h BG on 50-g GCT ≥140 mg/dL) and CBG positivity (0-h BG on 50-g GCT ≥100 mg/dL) was examined. The researchers found that of the 240 women with 50-g GCT positivity who underwent the 75-g oral glucose tolerance test, GDM was diagnosed in 98 (40.8 percent). Overall, 71 (71.7 percent) of the 99 women with GDM had 0-h BG <100 mg/dL on 50-g GCT. "Although there have been studies showing that the casual blood glucose test is less sensitive than others, no studies have directly compared the results in the same individuals," Tomimoto said in a statement. "Our study confirmed that this screening method, which is widely used in practice, frequently misses the condition it is meant to detect." Abstract/Full Text Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.