Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company, Inc. (MGC) and Veritas In Silico Inc. (VIS) have taken a major step toward advancing next-generation cancer therapeutics.
They have filed a joint patent application for a novel nucleic acid drug designed to target lncRNA H19, a molecule linked to cancer progression and treatment resistance.
The companies announced that the patent application covers a jointly developed substance related to nucleic acid pharmaceuticals and marks a key milestone in their ongoing drug discovery collaboration.
The invention stems from a joint research agreement announced in July 2025, focused on the discovery of nucleic acid drugs and the establishment of manufacturing technologies. The research targets lncRNA H19, a long non-coding RNA reported to play a role in cancer cell proliferation, invasion, metastasis, and resistance to treatment.
The patent application, titled “Nucleic acid drugs and their use,” was filed under Application Number 2026-179989, with MGC and VIS listed as joint applicants.
MGC said the move aligns with its Medium-Term Management Plan “Grow UP 2026,” which identifies “Build new value through innovation” as a core strategy to strengthen its business portfolio. The company has positioned the medical and food sectors as priority growth areas and is expanding its presence in the rapidly growing nucleic acid therapeutics market.
MGC acquired an equity stake in VIS in 2017 and launched joint research initiatives with the company in 2025. To accelerate the development and manufacturing of nucleic acid drug ingredients, MGC introduced “AXELPHEXTM,” a CRDMO service for nucleic acid active pharmaceutical ingredients, in October 2025, while advancing joint business initiatives with Hokkaido System Science Co., Ltd.
VIS has continued to expand its drug discovery capabilities through its proprietary platform for developing small-molecule and nucleic acid drugs targeting mRNA. The company has previously secured multiple substance patents for nucleic acid drugs.
In 2026, VIS upgraded its drug discovery platform ibVIS into aibVIS by integrating and enhancing multiple AI systems designed for specific functions. The upgraded platform enables faster and more accurate screening of drug structures, and the newly patented invention was developed through its application in the companies’ joint research program.
The two companies said they will continue efforts to secure patent rights and advance commercialization, with the goal of improving patients’ quality of life and contributing to future medical care.
