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The Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research (JFCR), NEC Corporation (NEC), and Taiho Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Taiho) have signed a three-party joint research (Joint Research) agreement aimed at developing new cancer vaccines through the utilization of whole-genome information.

This Joint Research project will be carried out as part of the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED)’s “Action Plan for Whole-Genome Analysis for Cancer and Rare/Intractable Diseases,” within the research initiative “Demonstration of the Clinical Utility of Cancer Whole-Genome Analysis and Research on Establishing Systems for Patient Benefit.”

JFCR, NEC, and Taiho will design and develop shared neoantigen cancer vaccines that target newly identified cancer-specific antigens (neoantigens) shared among multiple patients with cancer. The initiative aims to demonstrate the therapeutic efficacy of vaccines for a wide range of cancer patients and to be quickly available.

The Joint Research will utilize the unique research information, AI-based drug discovery technologies, and experimental materials held by the three parties. Specifically, JFCR’s high quality whole-genome information linked to clinical information*1 for various cancer types with high unmet medical needs*2, common cancer antigens across patients identified with NEC’s proprietary predictive AI technology, and immunological evaluations of the those cancer antigens conducted using Taiho’s proprietary evaluation models, will be used to narrow down highly reliable cancer antigens based on experimental data to design shared neoantigen cancer vaccine candidates suitable for clinical trials. This approach will identify novel cancer-specific antigens shared among multiple patients, including cryptic antigens which are derived from the dark genome*3, in addition to conventional neoantigens, advancing drug discovery research for shared neoantigen cancer vaccines.

Cancer vaccines induce immune responses against cancer cells, which differ from conventional chemotherapeutic agents. They hold the potential to become innovative treatments for cancers where unmet medical needs remain. Particularly, there is current expectation for the use of cancer vaccines in preventing postoperative recurrence and early-stage settings*4. Through this Joint Research, the three parties aim to contribute to overcoming the significant social and medical challenges of cancer.

Tetsuo Noda, M.D., Ph.D., Advisor, Atsushi Ohtsu, M.D., Ph.D., Research Director at JFCR, stated: “We are delighted to launch this new collaborative initiative with NEC and Taiho to develop novel cancer vaccines by leveraging whole-genome data, under the AMED research program based on the Action Plan for Whole-Genome Analysis 2022 (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare). Within this joint research, we will advance the development of shared neoantigen vaccines that integrate both conventional neoantigens and diverse cancer-restricted cryptic antigens derived from the dark genome, identified through AI-driven analysis and immunological validation. Through these efforts, we aspire to realize the next generation of cancer immunotherapy.”

Motoo Nishihara, Executive Officer, Corporate EVP and CTO at NEC, commented: “We are honored to commence this pioneering collaborative research with JFCR and Taiho to create novel cancer vaccines utilizing whole-genome information. In this Joint Research promoted by AMED, we will combine NEC’s proprietary AI-based genome analysis technology with insights into dark genome and neoantigens. This will enable us to address diverse HLA types and achieve highly accurate cancer antigen prediction, which will contribute to creating a future where optimal medical care is delivered to a wider range of patients.”

Takeshi Sagara, Executive Director, Clinical Development and Medical Affairs, Discovery & Preclinical Research at Taiho, stated: “We believe that future anticancer drug discovery focusing on research and development, not only for advanced cancer, but also for early-stage recurrent cancer, with an eye on the patient journey, will lead to long-term survival and ultimately the overcoming of cancer. We are very pleased to begin this new initiative together with JFCR and NEC toward creating novel cancer vaccines. Utilizing our proprietary patented evaluation models, we will play a key role in evaluating target cancer antigens and identifying clinical trial candidates continuing our challenge in tackling intractable cancers.”