Axcelead DDP Enters into Contract Research Agreement with RealizeEdge Partners for the Creation of Candidate Compounds Targeting Specific Proteins

2025.11.11

Fujisawa, Japan, November 11, 2025 – Axcelead Drug Discovery Partners, Inc. (Head Office: Fujisawa City, Kanagawa Prefecture; Representative Director, President & CEO: Kengo Okada, Ph.D.; “Axcelead DDP”) is pleased to announce that it has entered into a contract research agreement with RealizeEdge Partners Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; President & CEO: Yoshitsugu Shitaka, Ph.D.; “RealizeEdge Partners”) for the creation of candidate compounds for targeted protein degradation. Xeureka, Inc. (Head Office: Minato-ku, Tokyo; President & CEO: Taisei Nagae; “Xeureka”), a subcontractor of RealizeEdge Partners, will also participate in the drug discovery research under this agreement.

Offering integrated services to a wide range of drug discovery players, Axcelead DDP continues to evolve its drug discovery platform, which was originally developed by a pharmaceutical company. In particular, Axcelead DDP positions targeted protein degraders as a next-generation modality in small-molecule drug discovery and has established a proprietary platform specialized in this field. Under the agreement, Axcelead DDP will leverage its advanced capabilities in targeted protein degrader research to conduct studies ranging from compound synthesis to in vitro evaluation.

RealizeEdge Partners aims to develop innovative medicines by utilizing targeted protein degraders and its proprietary Degrader-Antibody Conjugate (DAC)* technology, which combines degraders with antibodies. Under this agreement, RealizeEdge Partners will commission Axcelead DDP to create candidate compounds for targeted protein degradation. Furthermore, Xeureka will contribute to the drug discovery activities by providing molecular design and optimization insights based on its advanced computational science capabilities.

Candidate compounds generated under this agreement will be exclusively owned by RealizeEdge Partners, which retains the rights for further research, development and commercialization. Axcelead DDP will contribute to the creation of groundbreaking medicines by supporting RealizeEdge Partners’ drug discovery efforts using targeted protein degraders and DAC technology.

*Degrader-Antibody Conjugate (DAC) is a novel drug discovery modality that conjugates targeted protein degraders to antibodies, combining the high target selectivity of antibody therapeutics with the potent pharmacological activity of degraders. This technology is expected to enable therapeutic approaches to diseases and targets that have been difficult to treat with conventional antibody drugs or antibody drug conjugates.

About Axcelead DDP
Axcelead DDP is Japan’s first drug discovery solutions provider, established in July 2017 after inheriting the drug discovery platform from Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited. We provide comprehensive drug discovery services through a fully integrated research platform that consolidates all essential functions and infrastructure—including a large-scale compound library, screening, chemistry, pharmacology/biology, DMPK and safety—under one roof. Furthermore, by combining our extensive experience and expertise with a proprietary AI platform, we can rapidly generate high-quality novel drug candidate compounds. This integrated setup enables us to deliver efficient and flexible one-stop solutions through a seamless framework, tailored to meet diverse needs in drug discovery from target identification to bridging into clinical development.
For more information, please visit https://axcelead-us.com/

About RealizeEdge Partners
RealizeEdge Partners is a Tokyo-based startup studio established in April 2025. We support innovators with breakthrough ideas to accelerate the creation of drug discovery startups transforming health and brightening lives by integrating scientific excellence with strategic and operational support.
Website: https://realizeedge.com/en/

About Xeureka
Xeureka is an AI-powered drug discovery company established in November 2021 as a wholly owned subsidiary of Mitsui and Co., Ltd. Leveraging cutting-edge technologies such as advanced AI and simulations, the company aims to significantly improve efficiency and success rates in drug discovery research. Utilizing its proprietary supercomputer and computational drug discovery technologies, Xeureka provides AI-driven drug discovery services and conducts collaborative research and development with pharmaceutical companies. Additionally, the company leads the Tokyo-1 Project, an innovation hub for the healthcare industry with a focus on drug discovery.
Website: https://xeureka.co.jp/en/