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[1].
| Program | Target/Mechanism | Indication | Phase | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tarlige (mirogabalin) | α2δ subunit calcium channel | Neuropathic pain/Diabetic peripheral neuropathy | Approved (Japan/EU/US) | Marketed |
| Nexlet (bempedoic acid) | ACL inhibitor | Cardiovascular | Approved | Marketed |
| DS-5670 | mRNA vaccine | COVID-19 | Approved (Japan) | Marketed |
| DS-1211 | TNF receptor | Neurodegeneration | Preclinical | Research |
| DS-5141 | siRNA | Genetic disease | Preclinical | Research |
| DA-9801 | Unknown | Alzheimer's disease | Preclinical | Research |
| DS-7891 | Novel mechanism | Parkinson's disease | Phase 1 | Active |
| DS-2120 | α-synuclein modulator | Parkinson's disease | Preclinical | Research |
| DS-7785 | LRRK2 inhibitor | Parkinson's disease | Phase 1 | Active |
DS-7891 is a novel Parkinson's disease program targeting a specific molecular pathway involved in dopaminergic neuron survival[2].
Mechanism:
Clinical Status:
DS-7785 is a potent and selective LRRK2 kinase inhibitor for the treatment of Parkinson's disease[3].
Rationale:
Clinical Development:
DS-2120 is a small molecule modulator of alpha-synuclein aggregation[4].
Rationale:
Status:
Mirogabalin is an α2δ subunit calcium channel blocker approved for the treatment of neuropathic pain[5]. This positions Daiichi Sankyo as a company with expertise in calcium channel modulation for CNS disorders.
Indications:
Mechanism:
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 is a novel compound in development for Alzheimer's disease[6].
Status:
Daiichi Sankyo's R&D focuses on:
DS-7891 Parkinson's Disease Program - Daiichi Sankyo Pipeline 2024. 2024. ↩︎
LRRK2 Inhibitors in Parkinson's Disease - Nature Reviews Drug Discovery 2023. 2023. ↩︎
Alpha-Synuclein Modulators - Journal of Parkinson's Disease 2024. 2024. ↩︎
Mirogabalin Clinical Development - Pain Medicine 2023. 2023. ↩︎