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JCN Newswire

Research commenced with Keio University to discover drugs using “Chemicals Informatics”

12 1 月, 2023

TOKYO, Jan 12, 2023 - (JCN Newswire via SEAPRWire.com) - Hitachi High-Tech Solutions Corporation, in collaboration with Keio University Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences is commencing joint research that uses Materials Informatics (MI) (the Research) to improve the efficiency of the development of small molecule drugs(1).Hitachi High-Tech Solutions will be using the "Chemicals Informatics (CI)" MI tool not only by developing materials in the traditional chemical materials field but also in the field of drug discovery, to improve quality of care and QoL (Quality of Life) for people.Background to the ResearchSmall molecule drugs are mainstream drugs in the modern world, and in recent years, expectations for their use have increased, with the development of drugs such as molecular-targeted drugs that inhibit the action of proteins, which cause cancer(2). Traditionally, the process used to develop small molecule drugs has involved researchers using their knowledge and experience to select several potential compounds from an extensive library of existing compounds and then repeating experiments to adjust the structure of a compound and clarify the mechanism by which it will work, before moving on to clinical trial. As a result, more than a decade's worth of R&D has been conducted at a huge cost, with a very low success rate. MI is expected to solve these challenges by using information science techniques, such as AI, to improve the efficiency of compound and material development.Overview of the ResearchIn the Research, Keio University Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences will use Hitachi High-Tech Solutions' CI to study the development of new drugs to act as selective inhibitors that will block enzymes that produce active sulfur molecules. We know that the production of a large quantity of active sulfur molecules in cells shows antioxidant effects, protein activity control and the generation of energy, etc. The development of small molecule drugs that inhibit the function of these enzymes is expected to lead to the elucidation of biological phenomena and the treatment of diseases such as cancer. The Research will use AI to conduct fast, comprehensive searches for promising compounds and potential structures based on the vast amount of data on compounds recorded in the CI, and then predict how the effects and mechanism will work using molecular dynamic simulations. This will help to improve the development of small molecule drugs in terms of a more efficient process, faster time scales and higher success rates, and will contribute to the development and early commercialization of new drugs.Through this Research, Hitachi High-Tech Group will provide a practical demonstration of how CI, which to date has helped develop various materials in the chemical materials industry, can be applied to the development of pharmaceuticals and contribute to new drug development initiatives. In so doing, we will provide optimal solutions for creating social value and contribute to improving people's QoL (Quality of Life).(1) Small molecule drug: A type of drug that has very small (low weight) molecules that are able to easily enter cells.(2) Molecular-targeted drugs: A therapeutic agent designed to act only on specific molecules that cause disease.About Hitachi High-TechHitachi High-Tech, headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is engaged in activities in a broad range of fields, including manufacture and sales of clinical analyzers, biotechnology products, and analytical instruments, semiconductor manufacturing equipment and analysis equipment. and providing high value-added solutions in fields of social & industrial infrastructures and mobility, etc. The company's consolidated revenues for FY 2021 were approx. JPY 576.8 billion [USD 5.1 billion]. For further information, visit www.hitachi-hightech.com/global/Contact:Kurokawa, HoriuchiDX Marketing Dept., Corporate Strategy Div.,Hitachi High-Tech Solutions CorporationE-mail: hsl_marketing.dg@hitachi-hightech.com Copyright 2023 JCN Newswire. All rights reserved. (via SEAPRWire)

ACN Newswire

Polymer protection for vaccines and drugs

9 12 月, 2022

TSUKUBA, Japan, Dec 9, 2022 - (ACN Newswire via SEAPRWire.com) - A biocompatible polymer could help deliver vaccines and drugs with reduced risk of the rare dangerous adverse reaction called anaphylaxis. Researchers at the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) in Japan have developed the polymer and performed preliminary tests, which they report in the journal Science and Technology of Advanced Materials.A liposome (left) containing a vaccine is commonly coated with polyethylene glycol (PEG) but it can trigger an allergic reaction to some recipients. A newly developed lipid (right) could serve as a safer, alternative liposome-coating while retaining the vaccine longer in the body.Until now, the polymer of choice for encasing and delivering vaccines has been poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG). This synthetic, flexible, water-soluble material has been used to surround some COVID-19 vaccines carried within the tiny spherical packages known as liposomes.Unfortunately, some recipients have suffered an anaphylactic reaction to PEG, in which the immune system mounts an allergic response to the foreign material. Symptoms of anaphylaxis range from minor skin irritations, to breathing difficulty, nausea and, in the worst cases, unconsciousness and sudden death.The alternative polymer is a form of fatty biomolecule called a lipid, and is conjugated to 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC) polymer.This new substance spontaneously binds to the outside of liposome particles when mixed with them in water. Crucially, the polymer is not recognized by the antibodies that the body can generate in response to PEG, and tests suggest it does not stimulate any other antibodies that could cause an allergic reaction. This should allow coated liposomes containing a vaccine to be retained in the body for a longer time without being cleared by the immune system, in addition to avoiding anaphylaxis."We have also found that the polymer avoids other interactions with proteins in the blood that might otherwise interfere with its effects, and it also prevents liposomes from aggregating together," says molecular engineer Yuji Teramura of the AIST team.Tests confirm the coated liposomes can remain stable in storage for 14 days, sufficient for real clinical applications."All the indications suggest that our technology should be suitable for delivering vaccines into patients who develop anaphylaxis in response to PEG," Teramura concludes.The polymer must now be thoroughly tested in various real vaccine applications. The team is moving into this next crucial phase of the development process, prior to eventual clinical trials in humans.Provided the animal and subsequent clinical trials go well, the technology should offer opportunities for delivering drugs into the body, in addition to vaccines. Delivery systems such as liposomes are sometimes needed to protect drugs from biochemical processes that might degrade them. This can ensure that they reach the target disease tissues while remaining in their active form.Further informationYuji TeramuraNational Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST)Email: y.teramura@aist.go.jpAbout Science and Technology of Advanced Materials (STAM)Open access journal STAM publishes outstanding research articles across all aspects of materials science, including functional and structural materials, theoretical analyses, and properties of materials. https://www.tandfonline.com/STAMDr Yasufumi NakamichiSTAM Publishing DirectorEmail: NAKAMICHI.Yasufumi@nims.go.jpPress release distributed by Asia Research News for Science and Technology of Advanced Materials. Copyright 2022 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. (via SEAPRWire)

ACN Newswire

Jacobson Pharma Announces FY2023 Interim Results

25 11 月, 2022

HONG KONG, Nov 25, 2022 - (ACN Newswire via SEAPRWire.com) - Jacobson Pharma Corporation Limited ("Jacobson Pharma" or the "Company"; Stock Code: 2633), a leading company engaged in the research, development, production, marketing and sale of essential medicines, specialty drugs and branded healthcare products, today announced the interim results of the Company and its subsidiaries (collectively the "Group") for the six months ended 30 September 2022 (the "Reporting Period").KEY HIGHLIGHTS-- Revenue grew by 8.9% period-on-period, totaled HK$817.4 million-- Profit for the period up by 77.8%, amounted to HK$147.4 million -- Profit attributable to equity shareholders up by 70.2%, amounted to HK$136.2 million-- Sound financial position with net gearing ratio decreased from 29.2% to 20.8% -- The Board declares an interim dividend of HK2.8 cents per share-- Promising sales growth witnessed on certain key therapeutic lines including cardio-vascular, anti-diabetic as well as cold and flu products.-- Arsenic Trioxide Oral Solution, being the first specialty medicine made in the Group's PIC/S GMP plant alongside robust clinical substantiation, attained approval for use in designated hospitals in the Greater Bay AreaDuring the Reporting Period, the Group delivered total revenue of HK$817.4 million, which represented a period-on-period growth of 8.9%. Gross profit increased by 24.8% to HK$340.4 million, whilst profit attributable to equity shareholders amounted to HK$136.2 million, up by 70.2%, which was mainly attributed to the uplifted sales revenue, alongside the enhancement in product mix and operating leverage, coupled with the subsidies from the HKSAR Government pertinent to the Employment Support Scheme.The Group maintains a healthy financial position as supported by its strong cash flows, with adjusted EBITDA of HK$290.5 million for the Reporting Period and the net gearing ratio decreased significantly from 29.2% as at 31 March 2022 to 20.8% as at the end of the Reporting Period. In addition, the Group has a sound cash position, with cash and cash equivalents of HK$860.4 million as at the end of the Reporting Period. The Board declares the payment of an interim dividend for the six months ended 30 September 2022 of HK2.8 cents per share, up by 133.3% as compared to HK1.2 cents of FY2022 Interim.Robust Portfolio of Essential Medicines to Meet Healthcare DemandDuring the reported period, the generic drugs business of the Group demonstrated resilient performance, driven by steady growth in both private and public sectors. Overall growth was benefitted from the easing of social distancing measures which facilitated the resumption of medical consultation visits in both public and private sectors in Hong Kong, thus boosting the demand for essential drugs as well as specialty medicines.Amid the fifth wave of the epidemic outbreak, the Group geared up its production and supply of symptomatic relief medicines to cater for the increased public demand, which was reflected by the growth of 48.5% in the Group's range of cold and flu preparations in the public sector for the Reporting Period.In addition, exhibiting a robust trend, medications for the aging population and chronic disease patients continued to present a strong demand. A case in point was that angiotensin II receptor antagonists and lipid-lowering products in the cardiovascular product class recorded a strong growth of 66.4% and 60.0% respectively in the private sector during the Reporting Period.Steady Product Pipeline and Continuous Efforts in Portfolio EnhancementAs a continuous effort to meet the medical and patient needs with quality essential medicines, the Group launched a number of new products including Atorvastatin Tablet, Trimetazidine Modified Release Tablet, Olmesartan Tablets, Bicalutamide Tablet, Ofloxacin Ear Drop and Idarubicin Injection during the Reporting Period. Additionally, the Group has secured registration approval for 21 new products for upcoming market launches.As of 30 September 2022, the Group has a total of 177 products in its research and development pipeline, among which 59 items have been approved for registration, 14 of them have been submitted for registration, 48 items have finished the development stage and are under stability preparation or stability study, and 27 items currently under formulation or pre-formulation research development stage.Making In-roads into the Greater Bay AreaThe Group's collaboration with the University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital in introducing its oral solution treatment for acute promyelocytic leukemia, Arsenic Trioxide Oral Solution, into designated hospitals in the Greater Bay Area has been given approval by Guangdong Province Medical Product Administration. This marked the first Hong Kong-made specialty medicine ever gained approval under the "Interim Regulations on the Administration for Importing Urgently Needed Clinical Drugs and Medical Devices from Hong Kong and Macao to the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area of Guangdong Province".Formulation of ESG Strategy and Respective KPIsAs a corporate citizen that places long-term commitment to environmental, social and governance ("ESG") duties, Jacobson Pharma has formulated and progressed on its ESG strategy, "Jacobson 5 to Thrive", which underpins five priority areas, namely, product responsibility, commitment to employees, environmental stewardship, societal engagement and corporate governance duty. In response to such strategy, key performance indicators (KPIs) have been set and will continue to be evaluated from time to time in order to track respective progress on priority issues and programs, including greenhouse gas emissions, water and electricity usage, as well as utilisation of renewable energy.Mr. Derek Sum, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Jacobson Pharma, noted, "Although COVID-19 has had an impact on the Group's business performance, we believe it will be transient. We are delighted that Jacobson Pharma achieved notable growth momentum in the first half of FY2023 amid the volatile economic sentiment. Thanks to the concerted effort of our teams, we delivered a resilient performance across both private and public sectors for our core business demonstrating an enhanced operational efficiency and a disciplined cost control. "We remain positive about the future outlook of the healthcare industry and the growth prospect of the market for essential medicines. To capitalise on the emerging opportunities, we will continue to focus on advancing the Group's growth strategies and positioning it as an eminent provider of essential medicines and specialty drugs in Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area."About Jacobson Pharma Corporation Limited (Stock Code: 2633)Jacobson Pharma is a leading pharmaceutical company in Hong Kong vertically integrated and engaged in the research, development, production, sale and distribution of essential medicines and specialty drugs. As a major provider of generic drugs in Hong Kong, the Group has one of the most extensive sales and distribution coverage for both the private and public sectors in Hong Kong, with an expanding reach into strategically selected Asian markets. Carrying a broad product portfolio and taking a pre-eminent market position in a number of therapeutic categories, the Group operates a host of 10 PIC/S GMP licensed production facilities for generic drugs in Hong Kong.The Group aims at the continued strategic enrichment of its generic drug portfolios through the addition of high-value-added products. With its corporate headquarters based in Hong Kong, the Group has also established its operating subsidiaries in China, Macau, Taiwan and Cambodia, forming a regional commercial platform to tap the market potential in the Asia Pacific and Greater China region. Jacobson Pharma has been a constituent stock of MSCI Hong Kong Micro Cap Index since 1 June 2017. For more details about Jacobson Pharma, please visit the Group's website: http://www.jacobsonpharma.com Copyright 2022 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. (via SEAPRWire)