News

JIC Venture Growth Investments has made an additional investment in J-Pharma Co., Ltd. (J-Pharma) through its JIC Venture Growth Fund 1.

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J-Pharma is a start-up company established by its founder, Hitoshi Endo (Emeritus Professor, Kyorin University), with the mission of building a platform for SLC transporter drug discovery, creating innovative drugs and satisfying unmet medical needs. Nanvuranlat (development code: JPH203), which is being developed as the lead pipeline drug, is a novel small molecule compound discovered by targeting LAT1 (L-type amino acid transporter) and is expected to become a promising a therapeutic agent for several solid tumors including biliary tract cancer. In a Phase II study in Japan, nanvuranlat demonstrated a statistically significant difference in progression-free survival (PFS) versus placebo in patients with previously treated advanced or refractory biliary tract cancer and met its primary endpoint. Based on the results of this clinical trial, in the U.S., nanvuranlat has received orphan drug designation, and a global Phase III study is to be initiated in 2025.

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The significance of this investment is (1) to accelerate research and development with the aim of providing a new medical treatment to biliary tract cancer, (2) to revitalize the domestic biotech market through supporting a global Phase III study to serve as a role model for other biotech ventures.

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With this investment, VGI will support J-pharma to develop the new pharmaceuticals globally and accelerate the social implementation of Japanese technology, contributing to Japanese society and economy.

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_{The information contained in this notice is current at the time of publication and subject to change without notice.}