Eisai licenses preclinical oncology programmes to CORE Biomedicine

JAPAN—Eisai has entered into an exclusive global licensing agreement with CORE Biomedicine covering several preclinical oncology programmes, giving the US-based biotechnology company rights to develop and commercialise a portfolio of cancer therapies discovered by Eisai and its affiliates.

The agreement covers multiple programmes designed to target molecular drivers involved in different types of cancer.

The assets span several biological pathways and targets, providing CORE Biomedicine with a broader portfolio as it advances its precision oncology strategy.

Under the agreement, CORE Biomedicine will evaluate and develop the licensed programmes with the aim of creating targeted treatments for a wider range of cancer patients.

The company applies a lineage-based approach to drug discovery, which seeks to identify cancer drivers based on the biological lineage and characteristics of tumour cells rather than relying solely on genomic alterations.

This approach is intended to expand the identification of potential therapeutic targets and support the development of medicines for patients whose cancers may not be defined by conventional genomic biomarkers.

CORE Biomedicine expands oncology pipeline

Dr Douglas McMillin, co-founder and head of business development at CORE Biomedicine, said the company was established to advance a portfolio of oncology programmes based on cancer biology, precision medicine and lineage therapeutics.

He said the licensed programmes could address significant unmet medical needs across multiple cancer types and that CORE Biomedicine would work to advance them efficiently towards clinical development and, ultimately, patient treatment.

The licensing agreement provides CORE Biomedicine with additional programmes as it builds its oncology pipeline and strengthens its focus on precision medicine.

The company plans to progress the assets through further research and development before selecting candidates for clinical testing.

Company raises US$21M to advance programmes

Alongside the licensing agreement, CORE Biomedicine has completed a US$21 million Series A financing round to support the development of its pipeline.

Elikon Venture and UTokyo Innovation Platform co-led the financing, which also attracted investment from CD Capital, InnoPinnacle Fund, Mitsubishi UFJ Capital, Root Venture Partners, Suzhou Capital Group, Vision Incubate and YuanBio Venture Capital.

CORE Biomedicine will use the proceeds to advance its lead programmes from discovery through early-stage clinical development.

The funding will support research activities required to evaluate the potential of the programmes and prepare selected candidates for clinical studies.

Japanese subsidiary receives AMED grant

In addition, CORE Biomedicine Japan, the company’s wholly owned subsidiary, has received a grant through the Strengthening Program for Pharmaceutical Startup Ecosystem.

The programme, administered by the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED), supports pharmaceutical startups and aims to accelerate research and development while encouraging collaboration across Japan’s biopharmaceutical sector.

The grant will provide further support for CORE Biomedicine Japan as the company advances its research activities and develops partnerships within Japan’s pharmaceutical and biotechnology ecosystem.