Interprotein and SPERA PHARMA enter into anagreement for comprehensive collaboration insmall molecule and peptide drug R&DOsaka (Japan), February 16, 2022 – Interprotein Corporation (“Interprotein”) andSPERA PHARMA, Inc. (“SPERA PHARMA”) today hereby announce that we have signed
an agreement for comprehensive collaboration aiming at research & development(“R&D”), manufacturing and commercialization of novel small molecule and peptide
pharmaceuticals for various diseases with high unmet medical needs.
By the collaboration between the unique basic drug discovery technologies ofInterprotein and the advanced technologies and expertise in R&D and manufacturing ofsmall molecule and peptide drugs of SPERA PHARMA and its affiliates, we aim to bring
Interprotein's innovative drugs to market as quickly as possible.
Protein-protein interaction (“PPI”), which is a drug target of Interprotein, is expected to
be a potential new drug target. However, small molecule compounds that regulate PPI
are often relatively complex and difficult to manufacture, and certain structural
conditions are required for versatile peptide modalities, including the regulation ofintracellular PPI. We expect that our collaboration will solve such challenging problems
and contribute to realizing the practical use of efficient PPI-regulating drugs incollaboration with pharmaceutical companies in Japan and overseas.
Masato Hosoda, Chief Executive Officer and President at Interprotein stated that “I wellknow that SPERA PHARMA and its affiliates have highly professional expertise in thearea of small molecule pharmaceuticals R&D, especially in the synthetic expansion,
process development, formulation development, investigational drug manufacturing andIND/NDA supports. Furthermore, SPERA PHARMA and its affiliates have proprietary
technologies contributing to manufacturing the peptide drug substance as a newmodality with competitive advantages in consideration of high quality, low cost, lowsolvent consumption, and minimizing its emission amount. Interprotein has a greathope that this comprehensive collaboration between SPERA PHARMA’s outstanding
technologies and Interprotein’s approaches aiming at the promotion of orally-available
small molecule and peptide PPI modulators will respond to unmet medical needs andcontribute especially to ‘Good Health and Well-Being’ of 17 SDGs.”
Katsuhiko Hatazawa, Chairperson at SPERA PHARMA stated that “Interprotein has aunique drug discovery platform that uses AI to create innovative new drugs based onhighly versatile protein-protein interactions. Through this collaboration, we hope thatthe experiences and technologies of SPERA PHARMA and its affiliates in drug
development and manufacturing, including the CMC field, will be of some help toInterprotein in its drug discovery, and that the new drug will be delivered to the patients
who are waiting for it as soon as possible.

1/3Based on the idea that the success of our clients is our success, SPERA PHARMA is
pleased to have signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for thecomprehensive collaboration from a medium- to long-term perspective with Interprotein,which will support, contribute to, and find intrinsic value in Interprotein.”
About Interprotein
Interprotein is an Osaka University-originated biotech company that was established as
Inter Cyto Nano Science Co., Ltd. in 2001, and the former name was changed into thepresent name in 2007. The current head office is located at 3-10-2, Toyosaki, Kita-ku,Osaka, 531-0072, Japan and CEO & President is Masato HOSODA. Interprotein ismainly focusing on protein-protein interactions (PPIs) with huge potentials as drug
targets and conducting drug discovery research for novel small molecule and peptide PPI
modulators using two platform technologies, Artificial Intelligence-guided
INTerprotein’s Engine for New Drug Design (AI-guided INTENDD®) and helix-loophelix peptide (HLHP), respectively. AI-guided INTENDD is a system that predict
activity of small molecules based on a proprietary deep learning and show a highperformance in lead generation/optimization as well as hit identification. HLHP is a
new therapeutic peptide molarity consisting of two helices and one loop and applicabletomanykindsofdrugtargets
includingintracellularproteins(http://www.interprotein.com/).

About SPERA PHARMASPERA PHARMA is a CDMO (Contract Development & Manufacturing Organization)
capable of undertaking a wide range of CMC (Chemistry, Manufacturing and Control)
activities from early development to post-launch. SPERA PHARMA was established
as a spin-out of part of the CMC division of a big pharmaceutical company.
As a core company in the Astena Group's Fine Chemicals business, we are running thebusiness in contract research and development services, including process development
and manufacturing of small molecule APIs, formulation development andmanufacturing of clinical trial materials, analytical method development, and quality
testing.
In addition, our affiliates, including our subsidiaries, SPERA NEXUS, Inc. and JitsuboCO., LTD., provide one-stop services from R&D to commercial manufacturing of small
molecules, peptides and other pharmaceuticals. (https://www.spera-pharma.co.jp/)
Contact for further information
Interprotein:ContactBD Division

E-mailinfo@interprotein.com

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SPERA PHARMA:Contact

Fine Chemical Sales Division

E-mailmkouhou@spera-pharma.co.jp

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