Platform Technology-oriented Proposals

Oncology

REF#5

Platform technologies for immuno-oncology drug discovery and translational research

The following topics will be prioritized:

• Clinically translatable animal models or in vitro/ex-vivo assay systems that reflects tumor microenvironment of patients (e.g., humanized models, organoids)
• Drug delivery systems for selective targeting of tumor microenvironment or draining lymph node with high safety and potential for repeated dosing (excludes conventional Ab-conjugation)
• Platform technologies dedicated to novel biomarkers of relevance to immuno-oncology, including imaging
• Innovative technologies dedicated to nucleic acid (mRNA and others) therapeutics (e.g., addressing challenges associated with safety, immunogenicity, tissue selectivity and durability)

Gastroenterology

REF#6

Base editing for liver diseases

Base editing approaches enabling in vivo editing of disease-causing mutations in DNA are envisioned. Novel editing enzymes with potential to be developed as mRNA/LNP formulations for delivery to hepatocytes are desired.

REF#7

Intestinal cell (i.e. fibroblast, macrophage) delivery platform

Technologies that allow for selective delivery of anti-fibrotic agents (e.g. proteins, small molecules, oligos) to activated fibroblasts and macrophages within the fibrotic intestinal tissue of fibrostenotic Crohn’s disease are envisioned. Approaches that avoid accumulation in other organs are highly desirable

Medicinal chemistry and DMPK

REF#8

Novel technologies for nucleic acid drug development

Chemistry-driven technologies focusing on the following topics will be prioritized

• Technologies that confer nucleic acid medicines with novel mechanisms of action (e.g., RNA editing, gene up-regulation)
• Novel nucleic acid synthesis technologies (e.g., approaches to improve phosphoramidite method, environmentally friendly manufacturing processes, etc.)
• Novel approaches to improve efficacy, selectivity, toxicity profile and/or durability of nucleic acid medicine (e.g., new nucleotide modifications, new nucleotide constructs)

REF#9

Novel technologies, methods or approaches to accelerate drug discovery process

The following topics will be prioritized:

• DDS (drug delivery system) technologies for tissue-selective transport of middle/high-molecular weight molecules (e.g., technologies to improve blood-brain barrier/blood-nerve barrier permeability, detargeting specific organ distribution, and devices that enhance drug delivery)
• Innovative synthetic chemistry technologies (e.g., chemical reactions with high selectivity, yield and speed, bio-orthogonal chemical reactions, and new conjugation technologies, etc.)
• Applications of generative AI, machine learning, and molecular simulation in drug discovery (e.g., methodologies for identification of hit molecules, novel mechanisms of action, and/or target screening)
• In vitro/in-vivo small molecular imaging probes for disease diagnosis and patient stratification.