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.
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.
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
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
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
Target: 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
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's disease with LRRK2 or GBA mutations (genetically stratified)
- Potential for combination with dopaminergic therapies
| 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 |
Accerise maintains active collaborations with Japanese research institutions:
Strategic partnership for:
- Access to advanced structural biology facilities
- Novel target identification through academic research
- Student recruitment and training
Collaboration on:
- Computational drug discovery methods
- Target validation in disease models
- Access to specialized assay capabilities
Partnership for:
- Machine learning in drug discovery
- Computational chemistry expertise
- Chemistry department collaborations
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 access
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
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
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 independence