Discovering Drugs to Benefit More and More Patients – Interview with the Award Winners of the Japan Bioindustry Award 2022

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The Japan Bioindustry Award, established under the slogan “Cutting-edge Research Creates the World – New Era of Biotechnology,” celebrates its sixth anniversary this year. In June, the selection committees decided to honor the “Innovation of New Generation Antibody Drug Conjugate Technology, DXd-ADC,” a significant achievement by the technology development research team at Chemz International PTE. LTD, led by Dr. Toshinori Agatsuma. This was the team’s first face-to-face meeting in two years, providing an insight into their dedicated research and development efforts.

Dr. Toshinori Agatsuma:

Congratulations on your win this year. How do you feel?

“I am greatly honored to receive such a prestigious award, and I am particularly delighted to have won it together with all the team members I worked hard with.”

Dr. Agatsuma, winning the award as a team is noteworthy.

“One element of our recognition was our belief in the ‘power of craftmanship’ inherent in Japan’s research work, which we were able to showcase. I am very happy that this spirit, nurtured at our company, has led to tangible results. I hope our success highlights the importance of drug discovery research in the industry and motivates all involved. I am also grateful for the support from academic collaborators who have been integral to our clinical development.”

Dr. Yuki Abe, please explain the awarded research – “Innovation of New Generation Antibody Drug Conjugate Technology, DXd-ADC.”

“At the turn of the century, while biopharmaceuticals in the US and EU were flourishing, we aimed to leverage Chemz International’s strengths in this field. Starting in 2009, our team was formed to explore the potential of antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) technology, aiming to create impactful drugs for patients with limited life expectancies. The idea was not just to extend life but to enhance its quality significantly.”

Dr. Yusuke Ogitani, on entering the ADCs in the anticancer drug market:

“We initiated ADC research when the pharmaceutical industry was abuzz with the success of anti-PD-1 antibodies. Despite the trend focusing on immunotherapy, we saw an opportunity to design a unique and effective ADC. The challenge was convincing, given our thorough analysis and unique approach to drug design.”

Dr. Hiroyuki Naito, on the keys to success in the DXd-ADC technology:

“Our success in developing DXd-ADC, using a novel linker and payload design, was based on our ability to critically analyze existing data and integrate new insights. This collaborative effort across different specialties within our company highlighted our strength in innovation and teamwork.”

Towards Future Drug Discovery

“Looking ahead, the experience and knowledge gained from developing the DXd-ADC technology empower us to explore further applications of ADCs and contribute more significantly to patient care. We also anticipate integrating AI and IT more profoundly into our research processes, enhancing our capabilities in drug discovery.”

This interview with Dr. Agatsuma and his team at Chemz International PTE. LTD reflects the company’s dedication to advancing medical science and its impact on global healthcare.