May 17, 2023
Kyoto University
Chordia Therapeutics, Inc.
Fujitsu Limited

Fujitsu, Kyoto University, and Chordia Therapeutics launch AItrials to discover biomarkers for new cancer drugs

Tokyo, Kanagawa, and Kyoto, May 17, 2023 – Fujitsu Limited, Kyoto University (1), Chordia Therapeutics,Inc. (2), today announced the beginning of field trials leveraging Fujitsu’s AI causal discovery technology toshed light on biomarkers (3) that increase the probability of success or shorten the duration of clinical trials
in the development of new cancer drugs.
Using results obtained from Kyoto University's next-generation sequencer (4) platform for analyzing
genomic information and Fujitsu’s causal discovery technology on its "Fujitsu Kozuchi (code name) - Fujitsu
AI Platform" where advanced AI technologies can be rapidly tested, this project will comprehensively
investigate causal structures and the conditions under which these structures occur in the drug effect andthe estimated 20,000 genes that compose the human genome. This information will assist researchers
working to discover biomarkers for patient stratification that can be used to determine the efficacy of cancer
treatments that target RNA regulatory stress (5), under development by Kyoto University and Chordia sinceMay 2018.
Through this demonstration, Fujitsu, Kyoto University, and Chordia Therapeutics aim to realize new cancer
treatments personalized to individual patients’ genetic characteristics, cancer symptoms and progression,
ultimately improving patient outcomes and well-being.
BackgroundA variety of biomarkers are currently used in the medical field for preventative care, diagnosis, and treatment
selection of cancer. In clinical trials, biomarkers make it possible for drug development researchers to focus
on specific characteristics, improving the likelihood of developing successful and effective new drugcandidates.
About the field trials
1. Duration:
May 17, 2023 to April 30, 2024

2. Overview:
Fujitsu's causal discovery technology will be used in the trials to identify causal structures between genes
in over 1,000 conditions that may be related to treatment efficacy or resistance from data obtained byanalyzing the human genome.
By incorporating an analysis platform for identifying the entire causal structure and locating promisingareas of research from this data using Fujitsu’s causal discovery technology, the project partners aim torealize a new technique that allows researchers to grasp the entire causal structure in one day, a task
which would take experts over six months using conventional techniques.
Through the field trials using biomarker candidates that have been identified using this causal discovery
technology, researchers will evaluate the effects of therapeutic drugs and their impact on the suitability forindividual patients.
Seishi Ogawa, Professor, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, comments:“We have built this genome information analysis platform equipped with next-generation sequencers toanalyze the nature of cancer and discover clues that may one day lead to the creation of new drugs. Incollaboration with this platform, and by leveraging the causal discovery technology on Fujitsu’s new AI
platform, we aim to create next-generation cancer genome analysis technology with unique capabilities toaccelerate drug development.”
Daisuke Morishita, CSO, Chordia Therapeutics, Inc., comments:“The identification and use of biomarkers that support drug development play an important role indetermining the success of clinical trials when we’re developing new drugs. We are eager to embark on
this collaboration with Fujitsu and Kyoto University, which will allow us to further explore biomarkers forpromising new drugs under development.”
Seishi Okamoto, EVP, Head of Fujitsu Research, Fujitsu Limited, comments:“In April 2023, Fujitsu announced the global launch of its new AI platform, code-named “Kozuchi.” The
platform offers users in a range of industries and fields the ability to rapidly test promising applications
using advanced AI technologies. This project demonstrates the innovative capabilities of the causal
discovery technology provided by the platform, and we are optimistic that this trial will offer a positive
impact on patient well-being and medical research as an example of how industry and academia can work
together, as well as strong use case for other potential users of Kozuchi.”
Notes
1.

Kyoto University:
Location: Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture; President: Minato Nagahiro.

2.

Chordia Therapeutics, Inc.:
Headquarter: Fujisawa City, Kanagawa Prefecture; CEO: Hiroshi Miyake

3.

Biomarkers:An objective indicator of disease changes and responses to treatment by examining substances in the body,such as proteins and genes included in blood and urine, and in cancer tissue.
4.

next-generation sequencer:
A next-generation type of device (sequencer) that can read nucleotide sequence information of nucleic acids(DNA and RNA), enabling high-speed, large-scale nucleotide sequence analysis.

5.

RNA regulatory stress:
A new feature of cancer caused by an abnormal accumulation of RNA, a molecule that plays an importantrole in the synthesis of proteins from genes.

About Kyoto University Open Innovation Institute
The Open Innovation Institute is a research center that plans and conducts full and large-scale collaborative
studies between organizations based on university-wide research themes. Its objective is to give back to society
the fruits of innovation produced by collaborations with industries, by having the university’s Office of Society
Academia Collaboration for Innovation Work cooperate with the Kyoto University Group companies andintensively managing their joint research. It also creates a virtuous cycle through academic-industrial alliance bygetting the best out of Kyoto University’s strengths and consolidating its full power.
About Chordia Therapeutics, Inc.
Chordia was established in November 2017 at Shonan Health Innovation Park (“Shonan iPark”) in Fujisawa,
Kanagawa Prefecture, as a biotech company engaged in the research and development of novel therapies forcancers, with the goal of researching and developing first-in-class anti-cancer drugs and creating innovative
new drugs.
In addition to its leading program for CTX-712, Chordia is engaged in the research of several developments in
our pipeline, including CTX-439, a CDK12 inhibitor, which is expected to be effective in cancers with specificabnormalities, as well as GCN2 inhibitors. Website: https://www.chordiatherapeutics.com/en/
About Fujitsu
Fujitsu’s purpose is to make the world more sustainable by building trust in society through innovation. As thedigital transformation partner of choice for customers in over 100 countries, our 124,000 employees work toresolve some of the greatest challenges facing humanity. Our range of services and solutions draw on five key
technologies: Computing, Networks, AI, Data & Security, and Converging Technologies, which we bring together
to deliver sustainability transformation. Fujitsu Limited (TSE:6702) reported consolidated revenues of 3.7 trillion
yen (US$28 billion) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023 and remains the top digital services company inJapan by market share. Find out more: www.fujitsu.com/
Press Contacts
Kyoto University Open Innovation InstituteYoshida-honmachi,Sakyo-ku, Kyoto
kuoi-information@mail2.adm.kyoto-u.ac.jp

Chordia Therapeutics, Inc.
Investor Relations
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ir@chordiatherapeutics.com
Fujitsu
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