Joint research with academia

SymBio Pharmaceuticals does not have a research institute like large pharmaceutical companies, but instead actively collaborates with leading academic institutions around the world to promote joint research. This not only reduces the burden of fixed costs such as research facilities and researchers but also allows early access to cutting-edge research. By continuously engaging in global efforts to develop existing products for new therapeutic areas, explore new indications, and discover or introduce new pipeline candidates, we aim to deliver new drugs to underserved therapeutic areas as quickly as possible.

Outside Japan

○Viral Infectious Diseases

Penn State College of Medicine (United States)

The polyomavirus, particularly the JC virus, even among double-stranded DNA viruses, is known to cause severe brain diseases. Because existing antiviral drugs show little to no effectiveness against it, there is a strong need for the development of effective treatments. In November 2022, we entered into a Material Transfer Agreement (MTA) with the Pennsylvania State University School of Medicine in the U.S. to conduct a non-clinical study to verify the antiviral activity of BCV (brincidofovir, SyB V-1901) in a mouse model of polyomavirus infection. We conducted a non-clinical study to verify the antiviral activity of BCV in a mouse model of poliomyelitis. As a result of this research, results on the usefulness of BCV were published in mBio in July 2024.

○Hematology/Oncology Therapeutic Area

National Cancer Centre, Singapore

We started joint research in 2022 on the antitumor effects of BCV against EB virus-positive lymphoma and the exploration of its mechanisms. The results of joint research on the effect of BCV for various malignant lymphomas were presented a total of five times at international conferences by 2024.

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) (United States)

A Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) focused on EB virus-related diseases has been entered into. In the collaborative research, the potential of BCV as a targeted therapy for EB virus-related diseases is being evaluated using a translational platform (a research foundation bridging basic and clinical studies) that reflects EB virus infection and related diseases in vivo and animal models.

University of California, San Francisco (United States)

Non-clinical studies are being conducted to investigate the anti-tumor effects of BCV on brain tumors. To date, studies using various glioblastoma models have demonstrated the usefulness of BCV and its efficacy in combination with standard therapy, and some of the results obtained have been presented at AACR2024. 

Gustave Roussy (France)

Preclinical studies are underway to evaluate the anti-tumor effects of BCV on multiple solid tumors. We are pursuing its potential as a new treatment modality for tumors that have not responded adequately to existing therapies.

○Neurodegenerative Diseases Therapeutic Area

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) (United States)

In March 2023, we entered into a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) to investigate the usefulness of BCV via its effect on the EB virus in multiple sclerosis (MS), an intractable disease associated with the EB virus.　　　　　　　　　　　　 Initial research results were presented at the European Multiple Sclerosis Society in October 2023.　　　　　　　　　　　　 Experiments using non-human primates are currently underway to obtain data for future clinical trials.

Tufts University (United States)

In neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD), involvement by reactivation of latently infected (HSV-1) herpes simplex virus type 1 and (VZV) varicella-zoster virus has attracted attention.　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 In December 2022, we entered into a Sponsored Research Agreement to examine the effect of BCV on AD-like changes caused by herpes simplex virus infection and reactivation in a three-dimensional mimetic model of brain tissue composed of human neural stem cells established by Tufts University. The study is currently underway.

Japan

University of Tokyo

At the social collaboration course "Molecular Oncology" established at the University of Tokyo, we are pursuing new uses of BCV while utilizing molecular biological methods to search for genes involved in the action of BCV.                                                           Additionally, using a research platform to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of the antitumor effect and safety of BCV, we are characterizing the distinguishing features of BCV, which differ from existing drugs.