Autism spectrum disorder drug discovery and its related business

Yuji Kogami, President & CEO, SkySea Pharmaceutical Inc.

SkySea Pharmaceutical is a startup aiming to develop the world's first autism spectrum disorder drug. Prof. Shuto at Hokkaido University serves as our advisor. Under his direction, we are engaged in drug discovery using oxytocin derivatives. We also use technology developed by Prof. Higashida at Kanazawa University, who developed a unique animal model of autism spectrum disorder. Concurrently with this drug discovery, we are developing a diagnostic test kit using an anti-oxytocin antibody. We are also engaged in the joint development of a compound that prolongs the duration of the in vivo effects of oxytocin. We are also conducting joint research with multiple companies to search for substances that prolong the duration of the effects of oxytocin as well as exosomes.
We have derived 2 candidate compounds from a new oxytocin derivative discovered by Prof. Shuto. In an initial experiment on rats, the effects of oxytocin were enhanced. A preclinical trial is scheduled to start within this year or next year. We have also obtained favorable experimental results in the business development of exosomes.
We will need about 1 billion yen until the completion of preclinical trials in our development projects. We are planning to collect funds for the projects from venture capitals (VCs) and business companies. Our aim is to license them out or move into M&A upon moving to the Phase 2 clinical trial.

[Mentors' comments]
"You have synthesized an oxytocin derivative. You should explain why it is necessary to use a derivative instead of oxytocin itself." Sham Nikam, Takeda Pharmaceutical

"You have a very promising candidate, an oxytocin derivative. So you should focus on the derivative rather than expanding your research to exosomes, which have not yet been fully elucidated and for which no manufacturing process has been established." Craig Garner, SPARK Berlin

[Speaker Profile]
He started his career with Toyo Brewery Co., Ltd. in 1986. When the company merged with Asahi Kasei Co., Ltd., he joined the synthetic laboratory at Asahi Kasei Co. Ltd. In 2006, he founded PRISM Bio Lab Co., Ltd. with 2 other members and led the company's R&D activity. He also founded D.D.P. Co. Ltd (2010) and became the President & CEO before establishing SkySea Pharmaceutical Inc. in 2015.
SkySea Pharmaceutical Inc. website: http://www.skyseapharma.com/

>>　HVC KYOTO2017