Notice of New management team

TAGCyx Biotechnologies, Inc. (Tokyo, Japan) are pleased to inform you that our new management team is as follows. Through the new management team, we will strengthen the drug discovery research and development capabilities and corporate governance, and strive for further progress in our business. We will continue to make every effort to meet everyone’s expectations, and we sincerely ask for your continued support.

Biography of management

■Chizuko Koseki, Representative Director CEO

After having a Ph.D. in Pharmacology from the University of Tokyo, a head of laboratory at the National Cardiovascular Center, a researcher at overseas universities, a director of drug discovery ventures, and as a VP of the Sosei Group achieved IPO. Joined Tagcyx in 2015 and has been in her current role since 2017.

■Susumu Muto, Director, CSO

After graduating from the Graduate School of Science of Shizuoka University, worked as a researcher at the Central Research Institute of Mochida Pharmaceutical and has a large number of drug discovery results. After that, he promoted research and development activities as a director in charge of drug discovery research and development at multiple drug discovery ventures. Joined Tagcyx in 2019 and has been in his current role since 2020.

■Akiyoshi Kudose, Director, CFO

After graduating from the Graduate School of Science and Engineering of Waseda University, worked for Panasonic and acquired a certified public accountant qualification. After engaging in audit work at EY ShinNihon LLC, served as responsible person of finance and accounting division at CRO and IT company contributed to overseas expansion, fund raising, M&A, IPO. Joined Tagcyx in 2020 in his current role.

■Junya Yamazaki, Non-executive director

After completing the doctoral course at the Graduate School of Life Sciences, Kyoto University, engaged in pharmaceutical-related investment research at Goldman Sachs Securities, Takeda Pharmaceutical, etc., joined in UTEC in 2019, and became a non-executive director of Tagcyx.

■Mikio Kawahara, Non-executive director

After graduating from the Graduate School of Engineering, the University of Tokyo, worked in Toppan Printing and worked as a representative director at pharmaceutical venture company. etc., joined in UTokyo IPC in 2016, in charge of investment and business development. In 2020, he became a non-executive director of Tagcyx.

■Takayuki Okabuchi, Non-executive director

Registered as a lawyer after graduating from the Faculty of Law, Keio University. After working for a law firm, opened Tsukishima Kachidoki Law Office. Served as an external officer for drug discovery ventures. Appointed as a non-executive director of Tagcyx in 2020 (commencement on June 1^st 2020).

Patent “DNA aptamer capable of bonding to VWF” is granted in Japan.

TAGCyx raises approximately 200 million JPY

TAGCyx Biotechnologies, Inc. (Tokyo, Japan) has raised approximately 200 million JPY from UTokyo Innovation Platform Co., Ltd. (Tokyo)

TAGCyx is developing unique DNA aptamer called “Xenoligo^Ⓡ” in healthcare field, using proprietary artificial nucleic acid base pair technology. Aptamers, also known as “chemically synthesizable antibodies,” are oligo nucleic acids (DNA or RNA) and peptides that bind to specific molecules, and act like antibody antigen interaction. Xenoligo^Ⓡ has following features. ① high binding affinity to proteins by particular hydrophobic interaction of artificial bases (you can select a high binding candidate molecule from a huge DNA library of 10¹⁴ or more that can be randomly generated), ② stabilization by proprietary Mini-hair pin technology (realization of sufficient stability as a drug), ③ low manufacturing cost (it can be manufactured by chemical synthesis unlike antibody drugs), and ④ high versatility (applicable to targets that antibody drugs are difficult to target).

Based on the platform technology of Xenoligo^Ⓡ, TAGCyx has concentrated management resources in the drug discovery business since 2016, and through multiple steps of financing, has entered into several collaboration agreements with pharmaceutical and healthcare companies. Achieving this funding, TAGCyx will accelerate R&D for changing paradigm to human healthcare.