TNAX Biopharma Corporation is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of novel antibody therapeutics that address unmet medical needs of patients with intractable diseases. Scientific co-founder, Akira Shibuya, M.D., Ph.D., professor at University of Tsukuba, is a renowned scientist who has discovered unique immunoreceptors and their ligands. He has revealed that these molecules play important roles in immunity and inflammation.(>Lab Link)
Immunoreceptors and ligands
Immunoreceptors and their ligands are considered potential targets for new classes of therapeutics. TNAX Biopharma conducts joint research with University of Tsukuba and leverages intellectual property rights exclusively licensed from the university. Through drug discovery innovation and strategic alliances, TNAX continues to contribute to society by providing truly valuable therapeutic agents to patients around the world.
The first asset of TNAX Biopharma: IBD
TNAX Biopharma’s first asset, TNAX101A, was licensed to IMIDomics, Inc. and subsequently sublicensed to Formation Bio. TNAX101A has been renamed RVW101 and is being investigated in clinical study by Riverview Bio. RVW101 is an anti-DNAM-1 (CD226) antibody for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
DNAM-1 (DNAX Accessory Molecule-1), which is a co-stimulatory receptor expressed on T cells, NK cells and other immune cells, promotes effector T cell activation and cytotoxicity. In regulatory T cells (Tregs), DNAM-1 signaling may inhibit Treg stability and suppressive function. Therefore, inhibiting DNAM-1 suppresses co-stimulatory signaling and effector T cell activation, improving Treg stability and suppressive function without causing excessive immunosuppression. RVW101 is a promising novel therapeutic agent for autoimmune diseases with a low risk of serious infections.
The second asset of TNAX Biopharma: Innate immune checkpoint modulator
When a patient develops acute ischemic stroke, recanalization therapy is performed. Restoring blood flow after ischemia is an essential life-saving intervention, and successful blood flow restoration has been achieved (80 – 90%) by endovascular thrombectomy (EVT). However, disability remains (40 – 60%) because reperfusion exacerbates inflammation, preventing it from subsiding.
During ischemia, salvageable penumbra remains. After recanalization, surviving cells are subjected to stress such as oxidative stress and Ca2+ overload. Dead or dying cell under stress expose phosphatidylserine (PS). If natural biological responses function normally, dead/dying cells are rapidly cleared away. If these cells are not removed, however, they disintegrate and release debris known as damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs). Pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) recognize DAMPs and trigger inflammation. No-reflow phenomenon occurs as a result of neutrophil adhesion, endothelial activation, brain edema and capillary occlusion.
If the innate immune system rapidly removes dead/dying cells, DAMPs release is suppressed and inflammation is resolved. Once blood flow is restored, however, the innate immune system misinterprets the situation and overacts. When inflammation persists, futile recanalization occurs. Our drug corrects the immune system’s error.
News
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TNAX Biopharma has entered into a strategic partnership agreement with Chime Biologics, a Chinese CDMO.
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TNAX Biopharma and the University of Tsukuba Announce a New Drug for Acute Kidney Injury, and Subsequent Chronic Organ Failure
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A first-in-class anti-DNAM-1 mAb originated from University of Tsukuba and TNAX Biopharma has been licensed from our partner, IMIDomics, to Formation Bio.
Leadership Team
Tak Mukohira, R.Ph., SM in MOT, CEO & Co-founder
Tak Mukohira has been CEO of TNAX Biopharma since its establishment in March 2018. He has extensive contacts in the biotech and pharmaceutical industries. Prior to launching TNAX, Tak was deeply involved in business development, corporate planning and venture capital operations at Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma (MTP). Mr. Mukohira also served as President of MP Healthcare Venture Management Inc., the corporate venture capital arm of MTP, headquartered in Boston, and as a board member and observer for several biotech companies based in the US and Europe. He earned his SM in MOT from MIT Sloan School of Management and a BS in Pharmaceutical Sciences from Kyoto University.
Akira Shibuya, M.D.,Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer & Co-founder
Akira Shibuya is Professor, University of Tsukuba and a world-famous immunologist. Dr. Shibuya had 12 years’ experience as a clinician before beginning his career in immunology research career as a post-doctoral fellow at DNAX Research Institute at Palo Alto, California. He has contributed many articles on immunoreceptors and their ligands to professional journals. Dr. Shibuya graduated from Hokkaido University Faculty of Medicine and earned an M.D. He holds a Ph.D. from University of Tsukuba.
Ichimaro Yamada, Ph.D., General Manager, R&D & Board Director
Ichimaro Yamada has 40-year broad and in-depth experience in drug research & development in Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation and other biotech/pharma companies. He led a Japanese development team of telaprevir and won new drug approval. Dr. Yamada is a vice-president of Association for Promoting Drug Development (APDD). Ichimaro earned his Ph.D. from Kumamoto University.