Japan-based startup Veritas In Silico has entered into a joint drug discovery research agreement with RaQualia Pharma to create innovative small molecule drugs targeting messenger RNA (mRNA) by integrating RaQualia Pharma’s small molecule drug discovery technology and Veritas In Silico’s platform technology specialised in drug discovery against mRNA targets.

Veritas In Silico has already started small molecule drug discovery research for mRNA targets in collaboration with several pharmaceutical companies. RaQualia Pharma’s challenge to develop new modalities, including mRNA-targeted small molecule drugs, made Veritas In Silico’s ibVIS a perfect integration, leading to the conclusion of this joint drug discovery research agreement.

RaQualia Pharma and Veritas In Silico will jointly conduct multi-year drug discovery research targeting several cancer-related genes designated by RaQualia Pharma; the research includes all drug discovery processes of identification of target structures on the mRNAs corresponding to the genes of targets, obtaining of hit compounds through high-throughput screening, identification of lead compounds through hit validation, and nomination of drug candidate compounds through lead optimisation.

RaQualia Pharma will obtain an option right concerning the exclusive worldwide rights to develop, manufacture, distribute, and market the drug candidate compounds discovered through this joint drug discovery research.