Veneno Technologies has launched a joint research collaboration with Alpha Fusion Inc. and Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation to develop innovative cancer therapeutics. By leveraging our proprietary peptide technologies, we aim to accelerate the development of next-generation radiopharmaceuticals that precisely target cancer cells.
This collaboration will focus on the research and development of novel astatine-211-labeled radiopharmaceuticals targeting multiple cancer-associated molecules, drawing on the unique properties of disulfide-rich peptides (DRPs) and Veneno’s proprietary DRP discovery technology.
DRPs are a unique class of peptides that contain multiple cysteine residues, which form disulfide bonds and create highly stable three-dimensional structures. Compared with conventional linear peptides, DRPs offer superior stability in vivo and are therefore expected to serve as next-generation peptides capable of precisely targeting cancer cells and delivering therapeutic agents effectively.
In addition, Targeted Alpha Therapy (TAT), which has attracted growing global attention in recent years, is a treatment approach that selectively accumulates alpha-emitting radioisotopes in cancer cells and physically destroys them. Among these isotopes, astatine-211, with its short half-life, offers important advantages in safety and dosing flexibility, and is expected to provide a new therapeutic option for patients with cancers that have been difficult to treat.
In this project, Veneno will use its proprietary DRP acquisition technology, the PERISS method, to obtain DRPs that selectively bind to cancer-related target molecules. These DRPs will then be integrated with Alpha Fusion’s astatine drug discovery platform to generate effective drug candidate compounds. Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma will draw on its extensive drug discovery and development expertise to support the early practical application of these candidates.
By combining the strengths of all three companies, this collaboration has the potential to deliver groundbreaking and safe new treatment options for cancer patients who have had limited access to effective therapies.
Veneno will continue to promote active collaboration with companies and research institutions in Japan and around the world, with its innovative DRP technology at the core. Through these efforts, we aim to help address social challenges in the medical and healthcare fields and contribute to a healthier future for people, animals, and the global environment. We invite you to follow our continued challenge to deliver new hope to patients.
