Other pipeline developments for Shionogi Pharma (4582).

2. 'Rigoselchib' (injection/oral medicine)

'Rigoselchib' is a candidate anti-cancer drug with a unique multi-kinase inhibitory action (that is, by inhibiting multiple kinases involved in cancer cell proliferation, invasion and metastasis, causing cancer cells to die). Although Onconova, the introduction source, conducted an international collaborative Phase III clinical trial (INSPIRE trial) for myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), it announced in August 2020 that the main evaluation item was not achieved compared to physician's choice therapy. Currently, 'Rigoselchib' is being developed for squamous cell carcinoma. Concerning Onconova, it has merged with Trawsfynydd Therapeutics, a bioventure developing next-generation antiviral drugs in infectious disease areas such as influenza in April 2024, and has become a new company, Traws Pharma.

The company was in charge of clinical development of MDS in Japan, but is now exploring new disease targets based on insights obtained from additional analysis of the INSPIRE trial, and through joint research with Tokyo University's Institute of Medical Science and Gunma University, it is working on creating a new treatment that combines 'Bendamustine' and 'Rigoselchib', as well as exploring new disease targets, including non-cancer treatment areas, using AI technology.

(Written by FISCO guest analyst, Jo Sato)