Alchemedicine
Alchemedicine is a Tsukuba, Japan-based biotechnology company that uses its proprietary HiSAP® drug discovery platform to develop improved small-molecule therapeutics, licensing preclinical and clinical-stage candidates including AK1960 and ALM0106 to pharmaceutical partners such as Asahi Kasei Pharma.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2022
- HeadquartersTsukuba, Japan
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Alchemedicine does
Alchemedicine (株式会社アークメディスン) is a privately held Japanese biotechnology company headquartered in Tsukuba, founded in 2019 and operating with 1-10 employees. The company specializes in the research and development of new low-molecular-weight pharmaceuticals, anchored by its proprietary HiSAP® drug discovery synthesis platform. HiSAP® is described as a synthesis technology designed to rapidly address limitations of existing drug candidates, including weak efficacy, strong side effects, and inadequate in vivo pharmacokinetics, and is positioned as applicable across multiple disease areas with high unmet medical need.
Alchemedicine firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Alchemedicine
- Legal name
- 株式会社アークメディスン
- Website
- https://alchemedicine.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2022
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Alchemedicine is a Tsukuba, Japan-based biotechnology company that uses its proprietary HiSAP® drug discovery platform to develop improved small-molecule therapeutics, licensing preclinical and clinical-stage candidates including AK1960 and ALM0106 to pharmaceutical partners such as Asahi Kasei Pharma.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Alchemedicine industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Drug Discovery
- NAICS
- Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714)
- SIC
- Medicinal Chemicals & Botanical Products (2833)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Drug Discovery (Target ID/Validation & Hit Discovery) (HLAIALAA)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Chiral / Asymmetric Synthesis & Complex Chemistry Services (HLAGAHAE)
Keywords
Where Alchemedicine is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Tsukuba
- HQ country
- Japan
- HQ region
- Asia
Markets served
Alchemedicine business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain
Alchemedicine product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Alchemedicine is a drug discovery company that uses its proprietary HiSAP® synthesis platform to identify and develop novel small molecule therapeutics that improve upon the limitations of existing drugs, including weak efficacy, strong side effects, and insufficient pharmacokinetics. The company advances a pipeline of preclinical and clinical-stage candidates and monetizes them through exclusive global licensing agreements with pharmaceutical partners such as Asahi Kasei Pharma.
Product overview
Alchemedicine is a drug discovery research company specializing in novel small molecule pharmaceuticals. The company's core offering is the proprietary HiSAP® drug discovery platform, which applies proprietary synthesis technology to improve upon existing drug candidates by addressing limitations such as weak efficacy, strong side effects, and insufficient in vivo pharmacokinetics. The company operates a pipeline of therapeutic candidates at various stages: AK1960 (selective ETA receptor antagonist) has advanced to Phase I clinical trials for refractory diseases including chronic kidney disease; ALM0106 is in exclusive evaluation for autoimmune diseases; and multiple preclinical lead compounds targeting autoimmune diseases have been exclusively licensed to Asahi Kasei Pharma. The company also holds patents for oligopeptide derivatives (MMP-2/MMP-9 inhibitors) developed through Accure Therapeutics.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- HiSAP® Drug Discovery Platform
Companies that use Alchemedicine
Customer profileSegments1 record
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Alchemedicine technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
Alchemedicine partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Sekisui Medical Co., Ltd.coreNon-clinical research collaboration with Sekisui Medical Co., Ltd. Third-party allocation of new shares implemented and underwritten.
- Asahi Kasei PharmacoreExclusive global license agreement granting worldwide rights to research, develop, manufacture, and commercialize novel preclinical lead compounds discovered using Alchemedicine's HiSAP platform for autoimmune diseases. Second licensing agreement between the two companies, following initial partnership in June 2022. Supports Asahi Kasei Group's goal of achieving $3 billion in pharmaceutical sales by 2030.
- Asahi Kasei PharmacoreCollaboration on novel Endothelin A receptor antagonist AK1960, a small molecule derived from Alchemedicine's HiSAP platform. Phase I clinical study initiated for treatment of refractory diseases including chronic kidney disease. Companies leverage Calliditas Therapeutics AB and Veloxis Pharmaceuticals to advance the program toward global markets.
- Sekisui Medical Co., Ltd.coreCollaboration for non-clinical research operations with Sekisui Medical Co., Ltd. Includes third-party allocation of new shares (third-party allocation increase of capital).
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Alchemedicine competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Eisai Co., Ltd. Major Japanese pharma with extensive external sourcing of early-stage discovery assets. Comparable as a potential acquirer/licensor of platform-generated small-molecule candidates similar to those produced by Alchemedicine.
- Takeda Pharmaceutical: Largest Japanese pharma with global reach and active licensing/partnering of discovery-stage assets. Comparable as a potential anchor partner for a Japanese small-molecule discovery platform.
- Otsuka Pharmaceutical: Large Japanese pharmaceutical company that in-licenses discovery-stage programs. Relevant as a potential future licensing partner given similar deal structures used in Alchemedicine's existing Asahi Kasei Pharma agreements.
- Healios KK: Japanese clinical-stage biotech that has leveraged partnerships and licensing structures to advance pipeline assets. Comparable in Japan-listed/biotech-partnering orientation though operating in a different modality (cell therapy).
- Sosei Group (Sosei Heptares): Japan-headquartered global drug discovery company with a GPCR-focused platform, partnered broadly with major pharma. Larger and more advanced, but directly comparable as a Japan-based platform-discovery licensing business.
Direct peers
- Chiome Bioscience: Japanese drug discovery company developing antibody and small-molecule therapeutics through proprietary platforms and out-licensing to pharma. Directly comparable in business model (platform-based discovery + pharma licensing) and Japan-headquartered.
- PeptiDream: Japanese peptide/small-molecule discovery platform company that licenses novel therapeutic candidates to global pharma partners. Highly comparable to Alchemedicine as a Japan-based discovery platform monetized via licensing deals.
- Carna Biosciences: Japanese kinase-focused drug discovery and development company. Comparable in size, geography, and discovery-platform approach, with partnered clinical assets.
- RaQualia Pharma: Japan-based small-molecule drug discovery company focused on ion channel and GPCR targets, generating candidates for partnership with global pharma. Comparable as a Japanese small-molecule discovery firm commercializing via licensing.
Others
- Asahi Kasei Pharma: Major Japanese pharmaceutical company and Alchemedicine's central licensing partner. Included as an ecosystem participant — understanding Asahi Kasei Pharma's strategy and budget is essential to valuing Alchemedicine's pipeline.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Alchemedicine social profiles
Digital presenceAlchemedicine financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Alchemedicine leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Alchemedicine funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds2 records
Investors6 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Alchemedicine M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Alchemedicine
What does Alchemedicine do?
Alchemedicine is a drug discovery company that uses its proprietary HiSAP® synthesis platform to identify and develop novel small molecule therapeutics that improve upon the limitations of existing drugs, including weak efficacy, strong side effects, and insufficient pharmacokinetics. The company advances a pipeline of preclinical and clinical-stage candidates and monetizes them through exclusive global licensing agreements with pharmaceutical partners such as Asahi Kasei Pharma.
Is Alchemedicine a public or private company?
Alchemedicine is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Alchemedicine founded?
Alchemedicine was founded in 2022. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Alchemedicine based?
Alchemedicine is headquartered in Tsukuba, Japan, in the Asia region.
Who are Alchemedicine's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Eisai Co., Ltd., Takeda Pharmaceutical, Otsuka Pharmaceutical, Healios KK and Sosei Group (Sosei Heptares). Direct peers are Chiome Bioscience, PeptiDream, Carna Biosciences and RaQualia Pharma. Asahi Kasei Pharma is listed as an others.
Does Alchemedicine have an API?
No public API is recorded for Alchemedicine.
What industry is Alchemedicine in?
Alchemedicine's product category is Drug Discovery. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAIALAA, Drug Discovery (Target ID/Validation & Hit Discovery), with a secondary code of HLAGAHAE, Chiral / Asymmetric Synthesis & Complex Chemistry Services. Its NAICS code is 541714 and its SIC code is 2833.