AnGes

AnGes, Inc. is a Japanese biopharmaceutical firm, established in December 1999 as a venture originating from Osaka University. It was founded by Professor Ryuichi Morishita, a cardiovascular medicine specialist, based on his research into the revascularization functions of the Hepatocyte Growth Factor (HGF) gene. The company's initial strategy, devised by Morishita, was to pursue three distinct research themes to mitigate the inherent risks of biopharmaceutical development. This approach led to AnGes becoming the first university-originated drug discovery bioventure to be listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange's Mothers market in September 2002.

The company focuses on the research, development, and commercialization of genetic medicines for diseases with previously unavailable effective therapies. Its business model centers on advancing its product pipeline through clinical trials and forming strategic alliances with major pharmaceutical corporations to handle sales and marketing. This model generates revenue through upfront payments, development cooperation funds, milestone payments as R&D progresses, and post-launch sales royalties. AnGes has established partnerships with companies like Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma for its lead product in Japan and the US.

AnGes's core development pipeline features three main projects. The flagship product is a gene therapy drug based on HGF, known as Collategene® (beperminogene perplasmid). This therapy involves injecting a DNA plasmid that expresses the HGF gene into muscle tissue, which promotes angiogenesis (the formation of new blood vessels) to treat ischemic conditions like critical limb ischemia. In March 2019, Collategene received conditional, time-limited approval in Japan, marking it as the country's first approved gene therapy product. The company is actively pursuing full approval in Japan and is advancing clinical development in the United States, where its HGF therapy was granted Breakthrough Therapy designation by the FDA in September 2024 for treating Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD). Another key pipeline candidate is an NF-κB decoy oligonucleotide, a nucleic acid medicine designed to suppress inflammation in conditions such as chronic discogenic low back pain. The company is also developing DNA vaccines for conditions like hypertension. Beyond its core pipeline, AnGes has expanded into new areas by acquiring EmendoBio for its genome editing technology and establishing the AnGes Clinical Research Laboratory for testing rare genetic diseases.

Keywords: gene therapy, biopharmaceutical, Osaka University, Ryuichi Morishita, Hepatocyte Growth Factor, HGF, Collategene, critical limb ischemia, peripheral arterial disease, NF-κB decoy, DNA vaccine, angiogenesis, genetic medicine, nucleic acid medicine, drug development, clinical trials, Tokyo Stock Exchange, 4563, EmendoBio, genome editing