Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd. is a Japanese pharmaceutical company headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, formed in 2005 through the merger of Daiichi Pharmaceutical and Sankyo Company. It is one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in Japan and a global leader in cardiovascular and oncology drug development, with expanding neuroscience programs["@daiichi"].
DS-7891 is a novel Parkinson's disease program targeting a specific molecular pathway involved in dopaminergic neuron survival[@parkinsons2024].
Mechanism:
Targets mitochondrial function in dopaminergic [neurons](/entities/neurons)
Protects against oxidative stress
May slow disease progression
Clinical Status:
Phase 1: First-in-human study completed
Phase 1b: Ongoing in early PD patients
Primary: Safety and tolerability
DS-7785 (LRRK2 Inhibitor)
DS-7785 is a potent and selective LRRK2 kinase inhibitor for the treatment of Parkinson's disease[@lrrk2023].
Rationale:
LRRK2 G2019S is the most common genetic cause of familial PD
LRRK2 hyperactivation impairs lysosomal function
Inhibiting LRRK2 may protect dopaminergic neurons
Clinical Development:
Phase 1: First-in-human study ongoing
Biomarker: Phospho-LRRK2 in blood cells
DS-2120 (Alpha-Synuclein Modulator)
DS-2120 is a small molecule modulator of [alpha-synuclein](/proteins/alpha-synuclein) aggregation[@alphasynuclein2024].
Rationale:
[Alpha-synuclein](/proteins/alpha-synuclein) aggregation is central to PD pathogenesis
Modulating aggregation may reduce toxic species
Potential disease-modifying approach
Status:
Preclinical: IND-enabling studies ongoing
Neurology Portfolio
Tarlige (Mirogabalin) — Calcium Channel Modulator
Mirogabalin is an α2δ subunit calcium channel blocker approved for the treatment of neuropathic pain[@mirogabalin2023]. This positions Daiichi Sankyo as a company with expertise in calcium channel modulation for CNS disorders.
Indications:
Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (Japan, EU)
Post-herpetic neuralgia
Potential for Parkinson's disease-related neuropathy
Mechanism:
Binds to α2δ-1 subunit of voltage-gated calcium channels
Reduces calcium influx in hyperexcited neurons
Decreases neurotransmitter release
Relevance to Parkinson's Disease:
While mirogabalin is currently approved for neuropathic pain, its calcium channel modulation mechanism is relevant to Parkinson's disease research. Calcium dysregulation in dopaminergic neurons is a key pathological feature of PD, and compounds targeting calcium channels (such as L-type and T-type) are under investigation as potential disease-modifying therapies for PD.
Daiichi Sankyo's expertise in calcium channel modulation through mirogabalin development provides a foundation for potential future PD programs targeting calcium dysregulation.
DA-9801 (Alzheimer's Disease)
DA-9801 is a novel compound in development for Alzheimer's disease[@alzheimers2024].
Status:
Preclinical: Research ongoing
Target: Novel mechanism distinct from amyloid/tau
Technology Platform
Daiichi Sankyo's R&D focuses on:
Small molecules: Cardiovascular, oncology
mRNA technology: Vaccines and therapeutics
Antibody-drug conjugates: Oncology (collaboration with AstraZeneca)
Gene therapy: siRNA, gene editing
Novel CNS approaches: Neurodegeneration research
Funding & Financials (2025)
2025: Revenue approximately ¥1.3 trillion (~$8.5B USD)