The EU-Japan Centre

Call for applicants - Solicit Proposals for Drug Discovery Research

Feb

2019

Asahi Kasei Pharma to Solicit Proposals for Drug Discovery Research (Jan. 7 to Feb. 22)Asahi Kasei Pharma is publicly calling for new proposals related to drug development research as part its efforts for open innovation, to promote pharmaceutical research and development through enhanced cooperation with universities, research institutes, and enterprises around the world. The application period begins on 3:00 a.m. GMT on January 7, 2019, and ends at 8:00 a.m. GMT on February 22, 2019. Amount of funging ( See below for details)"Research collaboration" category: US$ 50,000/project/year"Research funding" category: US$ 20,000/project/yearAn Overview of Research Topics Sought New drug candidates and drug development technologies in the core research fields of Asahi Kasei PharmaChronic PainAutoimmune DiseasesCritical Care MedicineBones and CartilageNew technologies aimed at addressing the challenges in drug discovery and development at Asahi Kasei PharmaDrug Development Core TechnologyPrediction of Pharmacokinetics and ToxicityDrug Manufacturing TechnologyIdentification of novel drug indicationsA detailed description of each research subject can be found in the following sections.Research Topics SoughtNew drug candidates and drug development technologies in the core research fields of Asahi Kasei PharmaChronic Pain<Drug Candidates>1.1 New drug-target molecules or new drug candidates in the field of pain managementOur scope of indication: Neuropathic pain, osteoarthritic knee pain, postoperative pain, and cancer painOut of our scope: Drug-target molecules and drug candidates that directly act on opioid receptors or inflammatory pathways (e.g., COX)a) Drug targets should ideally be novel molecules, potentially leading to the development of innovative (first-in-class) drugs. We will consider proposals involving multi-target drugs. Combinatorial therapies fall outside the scope of this program announcement.b) Proposals should ideally provide in vivo data. (In vivo studies with relevant knockout mice are also acceptable.) Proposals with evidence from human studies (such as SNP analysis) will also be considered.c) Proposals concerning drug-target molecules that have already been or are being evaluated in Asahi Kasei Pharma may not be considered.<Drug Development Technologies>1.2 New animal models of pain or new techniques for pain measurement that could be useful from the viewpoint of translational researchSpecifically, we are interested in the following:New models of chronic pain or new pain assessment methodologies that utilize non-human primatesNew models of diabetic neuropathy or its bioassay systems that utilize rodents1.3 Simple and reproducible electrophysiological techniques for in vivo evaluation including analysis of drug candidates during non-clinical studies (The analysis must use rodents or higher mammals.)Examples: A technique that can quantify pain-induced neuronal firing (activity) without surgery. (Minor procedures for inserting electrodes into living tissue such as the spinal cord could be acceptable)1.4 Technologies to differentiate human iPS cells into dorsal root ganglia, dorsal-horn neurons, or glial cells (microglia or astrocytes)・ Differentiated cells should possess the functional characteristics of their corresponding primary cultures. The characteristics include expression patterns of marker genes/proteins, profiles of cellular responsiveness, and activities of reference compounds.・ Proposed technologies should allow for the robust and reproducible production of differentiated cells for in vitro screening in multiwell (> 96) plates.1.5 Phenotypic assay systems utilizing neuronal (e.g., dorsal root ganglia or dorsal-horn neurons) or glial (e.g., microglia or astrocytes) cells・ Proposed assay systems should be comprised of pain-related input and output units. Input/output signals related to inflammatory pain (involving, for example, NSAIDs, COX2, or prostaglandins) are outside the scope of this program announcement.・ Proposed assay systems should be suitable for in vitro medium-throughput screening performed in a multiwell (> 96) format.・ When neuronal cells are incorporated into phenotypic assays, one of the following co-culture systems must be used to maintain the cells: 1) dorsal root ganglia and dorsal-horn neurons, or 2) neurons and glia.1.6 Verified biomarkers related to therapeutic effect or disease progression of neuropathic pain in humans (patients) and animal models Autoimmune Diseases<Drug Candidates>2.1 A drug candidate or novel concept/idea that is applicable to the treatment of autoimmune diseases・ Proposals should contain a concept or idea that is expected to be superior to conventional therapy.New drug candidates must be in the stage from basic research to preclinical development.・ Proposed approaches should ideally be applicable to the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.・ Proposals with specific drug candidates (small molecules, peptides, antibodies, or proteins) are preferred. Critical Care Medicine<Drug Candidates>3.1 New drug candidates for treating sepsis by activating immune responses・ Proposals should ideally include in vivo data obtained from sepsis or infection models. (Laboratory animals injected with LPS will not be considered.)3.2 New drug candidates for acute lung injury (ALI) or acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)Bones and Cartilage<Drug Development Technologies>4.1 New drug discovery technologies which address the issues of human translation in the field of bone regenerative medicine4.1.1. Animal models・ Animal models for evaluating the regenerative effects of drugs used to treat refractory bone diseases, such as osteonecrosis and long bone fractures with non-union or delayed healing4.1.2. Diagnostic modalities for drug development (e.g., biomarkers and imaging technologies for clinical and/or research uses)・ A noninvasive or minimal invasive method to monitor a disease progression or an efficacy of treatment such as a) blood or urine biomarkers b) biomechanical evaluation , and c) imaging technologies or analysis methods (such as CT and MRI).(Ideal methods should be applicable in both nonclinical and clinical settings.)4.2 New technologies for drug discovery that directly address clinical needs in the field of cartilage regenerative medicine4.2.1. In vitro assay systems or animal models・ In vitro assay systems to evaluate regenerative effects of drugs or cells on articular cartilage degeneration or intervertebral disc degeneration: Examples) Co-cultures of graft cells with isolated animal cartilage cells. Cartilage organ culture systems.・ Animal models to evaluate regenerative effects of drugs or cells on articular cartilage degeneration (OA, TA) or intervertebral disc degeneration: Laboratory animals that can potentially be used for these models include rats, miniature pigs, rabbits, and monkeys.(Ideal models should allow for the long-term assessment of human cell-based treatment under immunosuppressive conditions.)4.2.2. Diagnostic modalities for drug development (e.g., biomarkers and imaging technologies)・ Techniques for tracking disease progression or therapeutic response in a noninvasive or minimally invasive manner: a) blood or urine biomarkers, b) biomechanical measurement devices, and c) imaging technologies and image analysis tools (such as CT and MRI).(Ideal methods should be applicable in both nonclinical and clinical settings.New technologies aimed at addressing the challenges in drug discovery and development at Asahi Kasei Pharma Drug Development Core Technologies5.1 Novel techniques for performing structural analysis with crystalline sponges, and new approaches for constructing these molecular cages for the structure determination of low-size molecular (MW ≥500) and middle-size molecular (peptide) compounds・ Proposed crystalline sponges should ideally be able to accept a wide range of guest compounds (e.g., both polar and nonpolar molecules). Alternatively, multiple molecular cages could be built to accommodate a large number of different guest molecules with varying physical properties.5.2 Highly accurate computational method for predicting the acid dissociation constant (pKa) of a small molecule・ Machine learning approaches will not be considered.5.3 A new algorithm for the accurate modeling of membrane proteins (particularly ion channels)・ The performance of the algorithm must have been validated with membrane proteins other than GPCR.5.4 Reaction prediction using a quantum chemistry computational method・ A new methodology for precisely simulating reaction pathways.・ Ideally, proposed approaches should be made readily accessible to chemical scientists.・ AI-based reaction prediction will not be considered.5.5 New descriptors of chemical compounds for the precise modeling of quantitative structure-activity relationships5.6 A new computational approach to predict protein-ligand binding kinetics (kon/koff)5.7 New technology of photoredox reaction for scaling up・ Proposed technologies or devices must be able to scale up for several tens of grams.・ After scaling up the reactions, the yield must be similar to published data.・ The batch reaction systems that can readily be performed in our laboratory will be high priority. The use of a high-cost device (multimillion US dollars) will not be considered.Prediction of Pharmacokinetics and Toxicity6.1 A new technology enabling the effective oral delivery of middle size-molecules including cyclic peptides6.2 In vitro or in silico methodology elucidating the clearance mechanisms including proteolytic elimination and target-mediated drug disposition of middle size-molecules, e.g. cyclic peptides6.3 In silico technologies for predicting on-target toxicities of drug-target proteins・ Can be utilized for the go/no-go decision or prioritization of potential drug-target proteins.・ Applies pathway (or mapping) analysis techniques created based on gene expression, protein-protein interaction, [and/or] text mining.・ Includes the datasets or model built from multiple publicly-available databases.Pharmaceutical Technologies7.1 Novel techniques for stabilizing peptide- and protein-based drugs in aqueous solutionsApplications proposing to use the following approaches will not be considered:・ Lyophilization・ Any procedures that prevent the subcutaneous injection of the drugs・ Covalent modification of the drugs7.2 New technologies for the sustained release of peptides and proteins・ Proposals should ideally include in vivo data.・ Proposed technologies must meet the following three requirements:Controlled release has been shown to continue for at least four weeks.Proposed methods should be clearly superior to existing techniques.Proposed methods should be compatible with subcutaneous administration.Identification of Novel Drug Indications8.1 Discovery of new indications for secreted frizzled-related protein 1 (sFRP1) inhibitors・ Chemical compounds developed at Asahi Kasei Pharma will be provided at no cost. (Their structural information will not be disclosed.)・ The characteristics of our compounds:a) Have approximately 50-fold higher sFRP1-inhibition activities, as compared with the commercially-available tool compound, WAY-316606.b) Can be administered orally.・ High priority will be given to research projects that focus on the field of orthopedics, the medical field where Asahi Kasei Pharma directs its research and development efforts. (Proposals involving osteoporosis research will not be considered.)8.2 Discovery of new indications for transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 (TRPA1) inhibitors in the field of orthopedics・ A chemical compound developed at Asahi Kasei Pharma will be provided at no cost. (Its structural information will not be disclosed.)・ The characteristics of our compound:a) Can inhibit both human and rat TRPA1 with an IC50 value at a few nanomolar.b) Can be administered orally.・ Target indications should belong to the group of orthopedic disorders. (Proposals involving pain will not be considered.)Funding “Research collaboration” categoryOutline:Submitted proposals on the research topics requested by Asahi Kasei Pharma will selected based on a comprehensive evaluation of conformity to the requested topic, originality and usefulness of research content, research plan viability, and conflict with Asahi Kasei Pharma internal projects. We are inviting applications for proposals of new drug candidates and drug development technologies and core technologies for addressing challenges in Asahi Kasei Pharma’s drug development research.Expenses:We are offering up to US$50,000 /project/year (funding will be decided in consultation for each project).Research style and research period:After concluding a research collaboration contract, joint research will be pursued for a period of one year (as a general rule).“Research funding” categoryOutline:Even if a proposal does not meet Asahi Kasei Pharma’s criteria for “research collaboration” category descrived above, if we decide that the proposal is original and potentially useful to the company’s drug development efforts in the future, we may offer financial assistance to support the project.Expenses:Up to US$20,000/project/year. The amount is decided after consultation for each project.Research style and research period:Contracts are different to those of general research collaborations. After a contract is concluded, the supported research is generally pursued for one year.Remarks:Asahi Kasei Pharma will typically have preferential negotiating rights for the research findings. If you obtain useful research findings Asahi Kasei Pharma require at the end of the first year of research, Asahi Kasei Pharma may continue involvement by proposing to extend the research incubation agreement for a second year, or by proposing a research collaboration for the next year. The details of research incubation will be decided in consultation after the selection process, and they will be defined in the contract.“Research under MTA” categoryOutline:Asahi Kasei Pharma provides a compound which has been obtained in the course of our internal past program for free. You use the compound as a tool to explore new target diseases involving the compound.Expenses:Asahi Kasei Pharma does not provide any funds in this category.Research style and period: An MTA contract is concluded, and the research period is generally one year from the time the contract is signed.Remarks:After the end of the research period, if research findings that match the direction of Asahi Kasei Pharma’s R&D efforts are obtained, all rights with regard to the research findings may be basically transferred to Asahi Kasei Pharma at a price.For further information and application form, please contact the EU-Japan Centrem.ashida@eu-japan.eu Date/Time: 3:00 a.m. GMT on January 7 to 8:00 a.m. GMT on February 22, 2019

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