Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common degenerative brain disease that causes dementia and about 70% of dementia patients are Alzheimer's. Number of lzheimer’s cases is rapidly increasing supported by the world’s aging population, and as currently there is no treatment, the unmet global demand is high. It is a disease characterized by excessive inflammatory reactions along with accumulation of abnormal proteins (amyloid beta, hyperphosphorylated tau, etc.) in the brain, and ultimately by cognitive and memory disorders caused by damage of nerve cells. Acetyl choline esterase inhibitor and NMDA receptor antagonist, just ameliorating symptoms of AD, are clinically used. We are currently developing novel and innovative therapeutics based on small molecules enabling to remove pathological proteins and to suppress neuroinflammation as well.

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is another common neurodegenerative disease that results from the accumulation of α-synuclein aggregates in the brain. We are also working to develop therapeutics to eliminate α-synuclein aggregates for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease.

Hepatitis B is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). It is a chronic disease that can cause liver cirrhosis, liver cancer, etc. It accounts for more than 300 million chronic infections worldwide, with more than 600,000 deaths registered every year. Type I interferon and reverse-transcriptase inhibitors, including Tenofovir and Entecavir, are currently used as treatments for hepatitis B. However, these therapeutic strategies are unable to eradicate HBV and require lifelong administration to prevent a rebound of viral replication. Currently, research is underway to develop new treatments, such as capsid inhibitors and RNAi drugs. We have identified novel and effective HBV entry inhibitors through the use of our rational molecular drug design platform. Our new HBV entry inhibitors are currently in the development process.

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory syndrome caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. COVID-19 is a disease that involves systemic inflammation, including severe pneumonia and shock. Due to the high transmission rate of the virus, the pandemic continues and the number of COVID-19 patients around the world is exponentially increasing. We are currently developing therapeutics that are capable of simultaneously suppressing viral replication and the excessive immune response. Our candidates to treat virus-induced acute lung inflammation effectively suppress or eliminate a key target protein related to inflammation stemming from innate immunity. In addition, the target protein is critical for the angiotensin II-mediated inflammatory response, which is believed to be a major risk factor for COVID-19-mediated acute lung injury. This target protein is also a critical host factor for other respiratory viruses, including the influenza A virus and RSV. Taking advantage of this key target protein, we are developing antiviral agents to simultaneously suppress viral replication and harmful virus-mediated inflammation. Our therapeutics may confer safe countermeasures to treat severe inflammation associated with several respiratory viruses while avoiding the risk of hastening viral replication.

Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH) is a rapidly spreading worldwide liver disease with metabolic syndrome, including obesity, diabetes and high blood pressure, and moreover it is a chronic disease characterized by abnormal accumulation of neutral fat in liver cells. Pathological findings show expansive metamorphosis of liver cells, cell necrosis and excessive inflammation, and something that is known as precursor lesions that can cause liver cirrhosis and even liver cancer. So far, as the cause of the disease is unknown, it is classified as an area with no clear treatment, as well as medical unmet needs.  We are currently developing novel and innovative therapeutics for the treatment of NASH, based on small molecules enabling to efficiently regulate or remove proinflammatory factors.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH) are chronic inflammatory diseases with urgent unmet medical needs. We are currently developing novel and innovative anti-inflammatory small molecule therapeutics to efficiently regulate or remove proinflammatory factors.