DRUG DISCOVERY PROJECTS

From the discovery of target molecule "FROUNT" to creation of new drug seeds

By interfering function of protein inside macrophage (=FROUNT), which is a cause for deteriorating disease in the body, ECI is aiming at the development of low side effect drug for intractable inflammatory diseases including arteriosclerosis and chronic joint rheumatism.

Inflammatory disease is believed to cause destruction of tissue owing to excessive accumulation and activation of effector cells including macrophage and monocyte at inflammation site. This project is designed to develop low side effect agent against intractable inflammatory diseases including arteriosclerosis and chronic joint rheumatism by interfering intercellular protein (=FROUNT) tending to activate chemotaxis of effector cells specifically.

ECI and Professor Matsushima Group of the Institute of Medical Science in the University of Tokyo jointly discovered target molecule "FROUNT" specifically functioning for the cellular chemotaxis of effector cells including macrophage and monocyte (Nature Immunology August 2005 edition).

By preventing function of "FROUNT", we can interfere the movement of cell to inflammatory sites. Accumulation of effector cells including macrophage at inflammatory site by cellular chemotaxis is a cause for intractable inflammatory diseases including arteriosclerosis and chronic joint rheumatism. Therefore, by interfering the function of "FROUNT", we can expect to realize low side effect agent for such diseases (Domestic patent was granted in December 2007).

ECI is conducting search a for FROUNT inhibitors jointly with Astellas Pahrma Inc. (Signed in February 2008). ECI also receives new drug development subsidy (maximum 5 years) from Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) as entrusted development project of FROUNT interfering agent due to its originality and potential.

*Nature Immunology 6, 827-835. 2005

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