J-Pharma’s LAT1 Inhibitor JPH034 Initiates Phase 1 Clinical Trial in the United States – Axcelead DDP Supported Multiple IND-Enabling Studies –

2026.04.22

J-Pharma Co., Ltd. (“J-Pharma”) has announced that dosing of the first subject has commenced in the Phase 1 clinical trial of its LAT1 inhibitor, JPH034, for the treatment of multiple sclerosis in the United States.

＞ For further details, please see the full announcement.

Axcelead DDP offers all the capabilities required for drug discovery and seamlessly provides comprehensive solutions to a wide range of stakeholders, addressing various challenges across the entire process, from target identification to Investigational New Drug (IND) application. In particular, we support a growing number of asset-light startups and biotech companies pursuing drug discovery without in-house wet lab facilities.

In this project, multiple IND-enabling studies for JPH034—including safety, pharmacokinetics, physicochemical property, and pharmacology/efficacy studies—were required to be conducted within an extremely tight timeline. Under these challenging conditions, Axcelead DDP developed a well-designed study plan and executed multiple studies through a cross-functional project framework, contributing to J-Pharma’s successful achievement of its targeted IND submission deadline.

“For JPH034, obtaining IND clearance from the U.S. FDA and initiating the clinical trial in the United States represent a highly significant achievement in our drug development efforts,” said Dr. Kazuo Sekiguchi, Head of Clinical Development and Regulatory Affairs at J-Pharma. “We would like to express our sincere gratitude to everyone at Axcelead DDP for conducting many studies to a high standard under a very tight schedule, which was instrumental in reaching this important milestone.”

Axcelead DDP will continue to contribute to the creation of innovative new medicines as the best partner supporting those engaged in drug discovery and as a hub of the drug discovery ecosystem that bridges preclinical and clinical development.