Overview
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companies_accerrise["Accerise Inc."]
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companies_accerrise_0["Company Mission"]
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companies_accerrise_1["Technology Platform"]
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companies_accerrise_2["Structure-Based Drug Design"]
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companies_accerrise_3["Target Classes"]
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companies_accerrise_4["Research Programs"]
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companies_accerrise_5["ACC-001: Neurodegeneration Program"]
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Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
Type: Biotechnology Company (Drug Discovery Startup)
Founded: 2016
Focus: CNS drug discovery, neurodegenerative disease therapeutics, calcium channel modulators for PD
...Overview
Mermaid diagram (expand to render)
Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
Type: Biotechnology Company (Drug Discovery Startup)
Founded: 2016
Focus: CNS drug discovery, neurodegenerative disease therapeutics, calcium channel modulators for PD
Accerise is a Tokyo-based drug discovery company specializing in central nervous system (CNS) disorders. The company uses a proprietary structure-based drug design platform to develop innovative small molecule therapeutics for neurodegenerative and psychiatric diseases.
Company Mission
Accerise's mission is to address the unmet medical needs in CNS diseases by applying cutting-edge computational and structural biology approaches to drug discovery. The company aims to develop disease-modifying therapies that go beyond symptomatic treatment to target the underlying pathology of neurological disorders.
Structure-Based Drug Design
Accerise's core technology is a sophisticated structure-based drug design platform:
Computational Modeling
- Molecular dynamics simulations: For understanding protein target dynamics
- Quantum mechanical calculations: For accurate binding energy predictions
- Machine learning models: For accelerated compound optimization
Structural Biology Integration
- Cryo-EM capabilities: For determining structures of challenging targets
- X-ray crystallography: For high-resolution target structure determination
- NMR spectroscopy: For studying protein-ligand interactions in solution
Proprietary Database
- Accerise maintains a proprietary database of CNS-active compounds and their target interactions
- Machine learning models trained on this data accelerate lead identification
Target Classes
The company focuses on several key target classes relevant to neurodegeneration:
Ion Channels
- Voltage-gated calcium channel modulators
- Potassium channel openers for neuroprotection
- Sodium channel inhibitors for specific indications
GPCRs (G-Protein-Coupled Receptors)
- Novel GPCR modulators for CNS indications
- Allosteric modulators with improved selectivity
- Biased agonists with preferential signaling pathways
Enzymes
- Kinase inhibitors for neuroinflammation
- Protease inhibitors for protein clearance
- Metabolic enzymes relevant to neurodegeneration
Research Programs
ACC-001: Neurodegeneration Program
Target: Novel kinase target in neuroinflammation pathway
Indication: Alzheimer's disease
Stage: Lead optimization
ACC-001 is Accerise's lead program targeting a novel kinase involved in neuroinflammatory processes. This program aims to develop disease-modifying therapy for Alzheimer's disease by addressing the neuroinflammation that contributes to disease progression.
Program Highlights:
- Identified novel target through computational analysis of neurodegeneration pathways
- Lead compound shows promising activity in cellular models
- Optimizing for brain penetration and favorable pharmacokinetics
ACC-002: Parkinson's Disease Program
Target: [LRRK2](/entities/lrrk2) kinase inhibitor
Indication: Parkinson's disease (LRRK2-associated)
Stage: Discovery
ACC-002 targets Leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2), a major genetic risk factor for Parkinson's disease. Mutations in LRRK2 are among the most common genetic causes of familial Parkinson's disease.
Program Highlights:
- Structure-based design of selective LRRK2 inhibitors
- Focus on brain-penetrant compounds with optimal DMPK properties
- Potential for genetic stratification of patient population
ACC-004: Parkinson's Disease Calcium Channel Modulator Program
Target: Voltage-gated calcium channels (T-type and L-type)
Indication: Parkinson's disease
Stage: Discovery
ACC-004 is Accerise's program targeting voltage-gated calcium channels implicated in Parkinson's disease pathogenesis. The program focuses on developing modulators for T-type (Cav3.x) and L-type (Cav1.x) calcium channels that show dysregulation in dopaminergic neurons of the substantia nigra.
Program Highlights:
- Structure-based design of selective calcium channel modulators
- Focus on T-type channels (Cav3.1, Cav3.2) implicated in neuronal hyperexcitability
- L-type channel modulators targeting Cav1.3 isoform with preferential neuronal expression
- Addresses calcium dysregulation, a central pathological mechanism in PD
- Novel chemical scaffolds with improved brain penetration and selectivity
Scientific Rationale:Calcium dysregulation in dopaminergic neurons is a hallmark of Parkinson's disease. T-type calcium channels contribute to neuronal pacemaking and are hyperactive in PD models. L-type calcium channels (particularly Cav1.3) show altered function in aging and Parkinsonian neurons, leading to calcium-dependent neurodegeneration. Targeting these channels may provide neuroprotection and slow disease progression.
Target Indications:
- Early Parkinson's disease (disease-modifying)
- [Parkinson](/diseases/parkinsons-disease)'s disease with LRRK2 or GBA mutations (genetically stratified)
- Potential for combination with dopaminergic therapies
Drug Discovery Pipeline
| Program | Target | Indication | Stage | Mechanism |
|---------|--------|------------|-------|-----------|
| ACC-001 | Novel kinase | Alzheimer's disease | Lead optimization | Anti-neuroinflammatory |
| ACC-002 | LRRK2 | Parkinson's disease | Discovery | Kinase inhibition |
| ACC-003 | Glutamate receptor | Depression | Discovery | Receptor modulation |
| ACC-004 | T-type/L-type calcium channels | Parkinson's disease | Discovery | Calcium channel modulation |
Academic Collaborations
Accerise maintains active collaborations with Japanese research institutions:
University of Tokyo
Strategic partnership for:
- Access to advanced structural biology facilities
- Novel target identification through academic research
- Student recruitment and training
RIKEN
Collaboration on:
- Computational drug discovery methods
- Target validation in disease models
- Access to specialized assay capabilities
Tokyo Institute of Technology
Partnership for:
- Machine learning in drug discovery
- Computational chemistry expertise
- Chemistry department collaborations
Business Model
Partnership Strategy
Accerise operates with a partnership-focused business model:
Early research: Develop programs through lead optimization using proprietary technology
Partner selection: Collaborate with pharmaceutical companies for clinical development
Co-development: Work with partners to advance programs through clinical trials
Commercialization: Leverage partner capabilities for market accessOut-Licensing Approach
The company seeks to out-license programs at various stages:
- Early-stage: Programs with validated targets and initial hits
- Lead optimization stage: Programs with optimized leads ready for preclinical development
- Preclinical stage: IND-ready programs with comprehensive data packages
Funding History
Accerise has attracted investment from Japanese venture capital:
- Seed funding (2016): From Japanese biotech investors for company formation
- Series A (2018): For platform development and initial pipeline building
- Series B (2021): For advancing lead program and pipeline expansion
Team and Expertise
Accerise brings together experts in CNS drug discovery:
Scientific Leadership
- Structural biologists with experience in membrane protein crystallography
- Computational chemists with expertise in molecular modeling
- Drug discovery professionals from major pharmaceutical companies
Advisory Board
- Academic advisors from leading Japanese universities
- Industry advisors with CNS drug development experience
- Regulatory consultants for clinical development guidance
Achievements and Recognition
- Successfully identified novel lead series for multiple targets
- Established strategic partnerships with pharmaceutical companies
- Published peer-reviewed research in drug discovery journals
- Received recognition from Japanese biotech industry associations
Future Directions
Accerise aims to establish itself as a leading Japanese CNS drug discovery company:
Advance ACC-001 to preclinical development within the next 2 years
Expand pipeline with additional programs in neurodegeneration
Strengthen partnerships with pharmaceutical companies for global development
Build clinical development capabilities for future independenceCross-Linking
- [Alzheimer's Disease](/diseases/alzheimers-disease)
- [Parkinson's Disease](/diseases/parkinsons-disease)
- [LRRK2](/genes/lrrk2)
- [Neuroinflammation](/mechanisms/neuroinflammation-pathway)
- [Calcium Channel Dysfunction in Parkinson's Disease](/mechanisms/calcium-channel-dysfunction-parkinsons)
- [Calcium Channel Blockers in Neurodegeneration](/therapeutics/calcium-channel-blockers-neurodegeneration)
- [T-type Calcium Channels](/proteins/cacna1g-protein)
- [Japanese Neurodegeneration Biotech Companies](/companies/japanese-neurodegeneration-biotech)
- [University of Tokyo](/institutions/university-of-tokyo)
See Also
- [Alzheimer's Disease](/diseases/alzheimers-disease)
- [Parkinson's Disease](/diseases/parkinsons-disease)
External Links
- [PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/)
- [KEGG Pathways](https://www.genome.jp/kegg/pathway.html)
References
Unknown, Accerise corporate overview (n.d.)
[Unknown, Structure-Based Drug Design in CNS Drug Discovery (Journal of Medicinal Chemistry) (n.d.)](https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jmedc.8b00001)
[Unknown, LRRK2 Inhibitors in Parkinson's Disease (Nature Reviews Neurology) (n.d.)](https://doi.org/10.1038/s41582-020-00425-0)
[Unknown, Neuroinflammation in Alzheimer's Disease (Nature Reviews Neuroscience) (2019)](https://doi.org/10.1038/nrn.2019.30)
[Unknown, Calcium Channel Dysfunction in Parkinson's Disease (Nature Reviews Neurology) (2023)](https://doi.org/10.1038/s41582-023-00756-7)
[Unknown, T-type Calcium Channels in Neurodegeneration (Cell Calcium) (2022)](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ceca.2022.102679)Pathway Diagram
The following diagram shows the key molecular relationships involving Accerise Inc. discovered through SciDEX knowledge graph analysis:
Mermaid diagram (expand to render)