Editforce, Inc.

FUKUOKA, Japan, Oct. 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- EditForce, Inc. (hereinafter "EditForce"), headquartered in Fukuoka, Japan, has realized the world's first RNA-editing technology that enables RNA-editing bases to be changed from "U" to "C," and demonstrated that this technology works even in human cells in a joint study with Professor Takahiro Nakamura, Faculty of Agriculture, Kyushu University. The study opens up the possibility of editing gene mutations which could not have been the target with the existing technologies, and is expected to contribute to the R&D of therapies for various genetic diseases. EditForce will improve safety and editing efficiency in its development activities to establish innovative gene therapy technologies. The study was published in the scientific journal "Communications Biology" on September 15 (September 16 in JST), 2022. Logo: Outline of research A genome existing in each human cell consists of four nucleotide bases -- A, C, G, and T -- of which the sequence holds the information necessary to make up a human body. Cells generate RNA consisting of four nucleotide bases -- A, C, G, and U -- based on genomic sequences, and then produce protein according to the sequences of RNA. However, changes in a single nucleotide on a genome or RNA sequence cause a variety of diseases. Treatment of these diseases requires single base-editing technology of repairing genomic or RNA mutations to bring the sequences back on the normal track. Currently, genome-editing technology has been developed rapidly, but the development of editing technology for RNA sequences remains limited. Especially as regards a single base substitution, technologies have been established to substitute "C" with "U" and "A" with "G," but the substitution of other bases is yet to be realized. The study clarified the mechanism of RNA editing in plants to substitute "U" with "C," based on which EditForce has realized the world's first RNA-editing (base substitution) technology that substitutes "U" with "C," and the company demonstrated that this technology works in human cells. Base-editing technologies can be applied to the treatment of diseases caused by a single mutation, and "U-to-C" RNA-editing technology of the study opens up the possibility to edit mutations which could not have been the target with the existing technologies. Further, repairing mutations by RNA editing without changes in genome sequence will enable EditForce to provide safer treatments to patients. The company expects that this technology will establish a novel gene therapy by improving safety and editing efficiency in its development activities. This work was supported by the Research Grant for Young Scholars funded by Yamanashi Prefecture. Article information Ichinose M., Kawabata M., Akaiwa Y., Shimajiri Y., Nakamura I., Tamai T., Nakamura T., Yagi Y. and Gutmann B. "U-to-C RNA editing by synthetic PPR-DYW proteins in bacteria and human culture cells" Commun Biol. 5, 968 (2022). About EditForce, Inc. EditForce, Inc., a Kyushu University-originated venture company developing a unique DNA/RNA-editing technology (PPR platform technology (*)), was established in May 2015 by KISCO Ltd. and Prof. Takahiro Nakamura of Kyushu University (former president of EditForce and currently its scientific advisor) and funded by companies and funds that have track records of investing in life sciences and biotechnology. EditForce aims for drug discovery that applies the PPR technology through joint research with universities and private companies. For more information, please visit: (*) Pentatricopeptide repeat (PPR) protein platform technology PPR is a protein discovered in plants that regulates gene expression by binding to DNA and RNA in a sequence-specific manner. The PPR proteins are also found in humans and yeasts, and they have similar functions. Prof. Takahiro Nakamura and Dr. Yusuke Yagi, CTO of EditForce, have focused on the PPR proteins and elucidated the mechanism that determines sequence specificity, and established a technology for creating various PPR proteins, each of which binds to a specific target DNA or RNA sequence. Furthermore, it is possible to manipulate and modify the target genome and RNA both inside and outside the cell by fusion with effector proteins. SOURCE EditForce, Inc.

After an immuno-oncology antibody deal , a cancer immunotherapy tie-up and a protein pact , Astellas Pharma is on to its next partnership, this time with a small UK biotech to treat eye diseases. The Japanese pharma will team up with Mogrify to find in vivo regenerative medicine approaches to treating sensorineural hearing loss. The goal is to find new combinations of transcription factors to help develop new cochlear hair cells. Astellas will foot the research costs and lend its AAV expertise through its gene therapy division, and Mogrify will provide its screening and validation process to help find potential therapies, the companies said Tuesday, without disclosing financial details. Mogrify picked up $17 million in additional financing last May. — Kyle LaHucik Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma, which recently received an FDA green light for its oral ALS drug, will partner with a little-known Japanese biotech on potential gene therapies for an undisclosed central nervous system target. EditForce could receive more than 20 billion yen ($147 million) as part of the agreement, in exchange for giving the exclusive rights to Mitsubishi Tanabe for drug candidate molecules worldwide. Mitsubishi Tanabe will handle preclinical, clinical, manufacturing and commercialization work. The duo kept many details under wraps, including naming the specific CNS disease and timelines for clinical entry. The gene therapies will be developed using EditForce’s PPR protein platform, the companies said. — Kyle LaHucik After originally coming together in May 2018, Brii Biosciences likes what it sees in partner Vir Biotechnology and has decided to act upon its option to acquire Greater China rights to develop and market an HBV monoclonal antibody. The antibody, dubbed both VIR-3434 and BRII-877, is currently in Phase II development and is the second option exercise under the multi-year deal. Two more options remain under the infectious disease agreement. “Recently announced data by Vir showed that BRII-835 (VIR-2218) and BRII-877 (VIR-3434) are additive to each other resulting in a robust reduction of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), with no clinically significant safety signals for the combination,” Brii CMO Li Yan said in a statement. — Kyle LaHucik India-based biotech Aurigene has a new partner to work with. Aurigene is teaming up with EQRx to develop oncology and immune-inflammatory disease drugs, the biotechs announced in a statement Tuesday. Aurigene will lead discovery and preclinical efforts while EQRx, which is all about getting fast-follow drugs to the market at an affordable price, will take on clinical development, manufacturing and regulatory/commercialization efforts. Financial details of the agreement were not disclosed. “This agreement with EQRx further validates Aurigene’s proven expertise in discovery and preclinical development of novel therapeutics and moves Aurigene forward into building a global oncology franchise participating in the end-to-end value chain,” Aurigene CEO Murali Ramachandra said in a statement. A subsidiary of drug manufacturing giant Dr. Reddy’s Laboratory, Aurigene is based in Bengaluru and Kuala Lumpur. The company says it has contributed to 16 different drugs currently in clinical trials and previously partnered with Exelixis back in 2019. — Max Gelman

FUKUOKA, Japan, July 5, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- EditForce, Inc. (Headquarters: Fukuoka, President and CEO: Takashi Ono; hereinafter "EditForce") has entered into a License Agreement (hereinafter "Agreement") with Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation (Headquarters: Osaka, Representative Director: Hiroaki Ueno; hereinafter "MTPC") to research, develop and commercialize potential gene therapy products for a specific target disease in the field of CNS by utilizing EditForce's proprietary PPR protein platform technology. Logo of EditForce, Inc.: https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M107232/202206242954/_prw_PI1fl_09s1955H.jpg In this alliance, MTPC and EditForce aim to create potential novel pharmaceuticals for the specific CNS disease by utilizing the drug R&D know-how and global business experience of MTPC and the novel biotechnology of EditForce. MTPC will acquire the exclusive right to conduct the selection of drug candidate molecules, preclinical and clinical development, manufacturing, and commercialization worldwide. Under the terms of the Agreement, EditForce will receive an upfront payment and milestone payments amounting to over 20 billion yen depending on the development stage and commercialization progress, and royalties based on worldwide sales after the launch. "I am so delighted to reach the agreement with MTPC, which has an interest in our proprietary PPR protein platform technology," said Takashi Ono, President and CEO of EditForce. "We look forward to working closely with MTPC to develop and deliver breakthrough pharmaceutical products with our technology to patients suffering from diseases." EditForce will proceed with R&D of pharmaceuticals using its PPR protein platform technology. About EditForce, Inc. EditForce, Inc., a Kyushu University-originated venture company developing a unique DNA/RNA editing technology (PPR platform technology (*)), was established in May 2015 by KISCO Ltd. and Prof. Takahiro Nakamura of Kyushu University (former president of EditForce and currently its scientific advisor) and funded by companies and funds that have track records of investing in life sciences and biotechnology. EditForce aims for drug discovery that applies the PPR technology through joint research with universities and private companies. For more information, please visit https://www.editforce.co.jp/ (*) Pentatricopeptide repeat (PPR) protein platform technology PPR is a protein discovered in plants that regulates gene expression by binding to DNA and RNA in a sequence-specific manner. The PPR proteins are also found in humans and yeasts, and they have similar functions. Prof. Takahiro Nakamura and Dr. Yusuke Yagi, CTO of EditForce, have focused on the PPR proteins and elucidated the mechanism that determines sequence specificity, and established a technology for creating various PPR proteins, each of which binds to a specific target DNA or RNA sequence. Furthermore, it is possible to manipulate and modify the target genome and RNA both inside and outside the cell by fusion with effector proteins. About Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation (MTPC), the pharma arm of Mitsubishi Chemical Group (MCG), is one of the oldest pharmaceutical companies in the world, founded in 1678, and focusing on ethical pharmaceuticals. MTPC is headquartered in Doshomachi, Osaka, the birthplace of Japan's pharmaceutical industry. MCG has positioned health care as its strategic focus in its management policy, "Forging the future." MTPC sets the MISSION of "Creating hope for all facing illness." To that end, MTPC is prioritizing work on "precision medicine" to provide drugs with high treatment satisfaction by identifying patient populations with high potential for efficacy and safety, focusing on the disease areas of the central nervous system and immuno-inflammation. In addition, MTPC is working to develop "around the pill solutions" to address specific patient concerns based on therapeutic medicine, including prevention of diseases, pre-symptomatic disease care, prevention of aggravation and prognosis. For more information, go to https://www.mt-pharma.co.jp/e/