TAGCyx Biotechnologies and Teika Pharmaceutical announce execution of ajoint research and development agreement to develop an ophthalmic
formulation of TAGX-0003 for the treatment of dry eye
December 12th, 2023
TAGCyx Biotechnologies Inc.
Teika Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
TAGCyx Biotechnologies Inc. (President and CEO: Chizuko Koseki, hereinafter “TAGCyx”),
a biotechnology company developing DNA aptamer drugs based on its proprietary artificial
nucleic acid base pair technology, and Teika Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (President: Katsuki
Kanaoka, hereinafter “Teika”), a comprehensive pharmaceutical company mainly offering
ethical drugs and over-the-counter drugs, with ophthalmology as its main field, announce anexecution of a joint research and development agreement in order to jointly develop an
ophthalmic formulation of TAGX-0003 aptamer for the treatment of dry eye.
TAGX-0003, developed by TAGCyx, is a DNA aptamer possessing potent interferon gamma(IFN-γ) antagonistic activity. The anti IFN-γ mouse surrogate aptamer generated has
shown promising efficacy in the mouse models of dry eye. TAGX-0003 is expected to be a fastacting, effective and safe treatment for dry eye and dry eye associated with Sjögren's syndrome.
Under this agreement, TAGCyx and Teika will proceed with formulation development for theproduction of an investigational ophthalmic formulation of TAGX-0003 for the treatment ofdry eye.
Dr. Chizuko Koseki, CEO of TAGCyx stated “We are very pleased to collaborate with Teika
Pharmaceutical, which has a proven track record in the ophthalmic drug formulation businessand an excellent, modernized ophthalmic drug formulation manufacturing facility. We hopethat Teika’s experienced team will formulate our high-performance DNA aptamer and able
to develop the aptamer as the world’s first ophthalmic eyedrops. We will make every effort tohelp as many patients as possible by developing the fast-acting treatment for the dry eyes with
its potent anti-inflammatory action.”
Dr. Nobuhiko Nomura, Corporate Officer, Research and Development Division of Teika
Pharmaceutical stated “We are pleased to announce an execution of an agreement to develop
a new ophthalmic formulation of a DNA aptamer (TAGX-0003), which is expected to be usedas a treatment for dry eyes, developed by TAGCyx Bio, Inc. which has world-leading artificial
base pair technology. DNA aptamers are nucleic acid drugs that are attracting attention as anew chemical antibody alternative to antibody drugs, but because their characteristics differ
from those of conventional low-molecular-weight drugs, there is no track record of thedevelopment of ophthalmic formulations for daily use. We will work together with TAGCyx
Bio Inc. to develop the world's first non-invasive ophthalmic formulation of DNA aptamers
by utilizing our accumulated know-how on ophthalmic formulations.”[Company Information]
・TAGCyx biotechnologies Inc. (https://tagcyx.com/en/)
TAGCyx, based in Tokyo, Japan, is a biotech company exploiting its proprietary Xenoligo®
technology platform, allowing high functional oligonucleotide drug discovery. TAGCyx haveinvented artificial nucleic acid base-pair technology that enables to produce high affinity andselective DNA aptamers “Xenoligo®”. Xenoligo® is a trademark registered by TAGCyx
Biotechnologies Inc.
・Teika Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (http://www.teika.co.jp/english/index.html)
Teika Pharmaceutical, based in Toyama, Japan, our identity extends back to our founding,
and we continue to take on the challenges of developing new products and manufacturing
technologies. Today, we boast a base in Toyama, the “Capital of Pharmaceuticals” ready totake on a wide range of dosage forms, including eye drops, adhesive skin patches, ointments,
oral dosage forms, and health drinks. We have also earned recognition as a research anddevelopment-oriented company with proprietary technologies such as howatt®.*
Advances in genome technology and AI technology have also come to the world ofpharmaceuticals. At Teika Pharmaceutical, we prize the identity we inherit from our founding,as we continue working to contribute to bringing about healthy lifestyles, through thedevelopment, manufacturing, and sale of pharmaceuticals that deliver trust and safety, fromethical drugs to over-the-counter (OTC) drugs.
*A commercial production technology for orally disintegrating tablets.
[Contact Information]
TAGCyx Biotechnologies Inc.
Tel: +81-3-6407-1672
E-mail: info@tagcyx.com
Teika Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.

Nobuhiko Nomura, PhD
Research and Development Division
E-mail: n-nomura@teika.co.jp
Toshihiro MatsubaBusiness Develop Division
E-mail: t-matuba@teika.co.jp