Toyo Ink SC Holdings, the parent company of Japan-based specialty chemicals manufacturer Toyo Ink Group, has concluded an investment agreement with US-based biotech company VLP Therapeutics, Inc. (VLPT) and its subsidiary company VLP Therapeutics Japan, Inc. (VLPT Japan).

VLPT was founded in 2013 with the aim of developing innovative therapies that would revolutionise conventional vaccine therapies. VLPT Japan is engaged in the research and development of vaccines against novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and other infectious diseases using VLPT's platform technologies.

The Toyo Ink Group will, through its investment in VLPT and VLPT Japan, contribute to the further progress of vaccine development and accelerate the clinical trial cycle toward commercialisation, as well as explore the possibility of collaboration in the Group's bio-related product field.

In addition to the direct investment in the firm, the Toyo Ink Group contributes to VLPT’s business operations in the form of R&D personnel support. Earlier in 2023, the Group dispatched two researchers to VLPT to help with vaccine development. Another researcher will be provided later this month to support the launch of VLPT Japan's clinical trial vaccine production facility in Fukuoka Prefecture, Kyushu, in southwestern Japan. The new facility is set to start operation in 2024.

US-based VLPT is currently engaged in research and development of a cancer treatment vaccine as well as prophylactic vaccines against malaria, dengue, and novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) using VLPT’s proprietary platform technologies.