#Japan #Tokyo #Ajinomoto Bio-Pharma #Gene Tools #PMO Therapeutics

Collaboration to Advance PMO Therapeutics

In a significant move to enhance the availability of key therapeutic solutions, Ajinomoto Bio-Pharma Services has joined forces with Gene Tools LLC. This partnership is aimed at expanding access to phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomers (PMOs), a class of oligonucleotide therapeutics known for their potential in treating various genetic conditions, most notably Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). PMOs are unique due to their structural composition, which necessitates specialized manufacturing processes, making this collaboration particularly beneficial.

The collaboration is designed to fill a notable gap in the development pipeline of PMO therapeutics. Through it, Ajinomoto Bio-Pharma will leverage its AJIPHASE® liquid-phase technology, which is optimized for large-scale production, while also addressing early-stage research needs where smaller, more diverse PMO batches are required. The partnership allows Gene Tools to provide proficient pre-purified PMO synthesis, while Ajinomoto is responsible for the purification and quality control aspects.

Jim Summerton, Chief Scientist at Gene Tools, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, emphasizing the combined strengths of both companies. The joint effort will facilitate a seamless transition from initial assay-level research to more advanced toxicology studies and ultimately into the clinical phase.

Through their joint capabilities, they aim to accelerate the journey of PMO projects from early research stages to clinical trials, potentially opening new avenues for therapies in genetics. Yasuyuki Otake of Ajinomoto Bio-Pharma stated, "Our commitment lies in enabling rapid development pathways for oligonucleotide therapeutics, which are crucial for enhancing treatment efficacy. This partnership ensures that researchers have the high-quality PMOs essential for innovative solutions going forward."

This collaboration is non-exclusive, which means it aspires to cultivate a broader array of early-stage PMO projects and facilitate their progress into clinical development stages efficiently. This strategy reinforces Ajinomoto Bio-Pharma’s vision of providing comprehensive support throughout the oligonucleotide therapeutic development process.

About Ajinomoto Bio-Pharma Services

Ajinomoto Bio-Pharma Services operates as an integral contract development and manufacturing organization with several facilities located in Belgium, the United States, Japan, and India. The organization specializes in a variety of services spanning gene therapy, active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), as well as the manufacturing of both large and small molecules. The company's innovative platforms cater to pre-clinical, pilot, and commercial-scale production needs, encompassing a wide array of capabilities including high potency APIs (HPAPI) and oligonucleotide synthesis.

About Gene Tools LLC

Since its inception in 1997, Gene Tools has been at the forefront of designing and producing customizable PMOs for research applications. A pioneer in the commercialization of PMOs, Gene Tools remains dedicated to adapting to the evolving needs of research. The company prides itself on a service-oriented approach, leveraging the expertise of Ph.D.-level research scientists and offering rapid synthesis turnaround along with customization options to support pharmaceutical innovators around the globe.

Together, Ajinomoto Bio-Pharma Services and Gene Tools aim to push the boundaries of PMO applications, ensuring significant strides in gene therapeutics and advancing treatments for genetic disorders.