
Anaeropharma Science
Working on the development of novel therapeutics to target hypoxic environment in solid cancers.
Date | Investors | Amount | Round |
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- | investor | €0.0 | round |
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investor investor investor investor investor | €0.0 | round | |
N/A | N/A | - | |
Total Funding | 000k |
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Established in 2004, Anaeropharma Science, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical venture that originated from the research of Tetsuya Tonoike, who would later become a director, at the Industrial Technology Center of Saga. The company was founded by Yoshihiro Kakeji, a professor at Kobe University's Graduate School of Medicine, who now serves as an advisor, alongside co-founder and current President & CEO Koichi Sugiue. The firm's core focus is on developing novel anti-cancer drugs by leveraging anaerobic bacteria of the genus *Bifidobacterium*. This unique therapeutic approach, termed In-situ Delivery and Production System (IDPS), utilizes recombinant *Bifidobacterium longum* as a vector to selectively deliver and produce therapeutic proteins directly within the hypoxic microenvironments of solid tumors.
The technology addresses a significant challenge in oncology: effectively targeting the oxygen-deficient core of tumors, which is often resistant to conventional therapies like chemotherapy and radiation. The genetically modified bacteria are administered intravenously and are engineered to germinate and proliferate exclusively in these hypoxic zones, transforming the tumor itself into a factory for anti-cancer agents. This targeted mechanism is designed to minimize damage to healthy tissues, a common side effect of traditional cancer treatments.
Anaeropharma Science's lead pipeline candidate, APS001F, is a recombinant *Bifidobacterium longum* that expresses a cytosine deaminase, an enzyme that converts a separately administered prodrug (5-FC) into the potent anti-cancer drug 5-FU directly at the tumor site. The company is also exploring other therapeutic proteins, such as immunomodulatory agents, to be delivered via its platform. The business model centers on research and development, with the goal of partnering with larger pharmaceutical companies for late-stage clinical trials, manufacturing, and commercialization. This strategy is supported by a series of strategic funding rounds and collaborations, including a significant joint development agreement with Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. announced in 2024. Keywords: oncology, biotechnology, cancer therapy, drug delivery, bifidobacterium, solid tumors, hypoxic microenvironment, targeted therapy, biopharmaceutical, immuno-oncology