TOKYO — Fujifilm Corporation has announced a breakthrough in cancer-targeted drug development, validating the therapeutic potential of its peptide-oligonucleotide conjugates that use proprietary cyclic peptides. The findings will be presented at the upcoming TIDES USA 2025 conference in San Diego, held May 19–22, where the research will be featured as poster number 35.
The company’s latest innovation combines oligonucleotides—molecules central to many gene therapies—with cyclic peptides developed from its vast proprietary peptide library, which includes trillions of variants. These conjugates demonstrate enhanced ability to selectively bind and accumulate in cancer cells, addressing long-standing challenges in delivering oligonucleotide-based treatments effectively and precisely.
Cyclic peptides are gaining attention in drug discovery for their favorable characteristics, including high binding affinity, stability, improved cell permeability, and structural versatility. By leveraging mRNA display technology and advanced chemical modification techniques, Fujifilm has synthesized peptide-oligonucleotide conjugates that show strong binding to integrins—proteins commonly overexpressed on the surface of cancer cells. The lead cyclic peptide candidate exhibited a low dissociation constant (KD) of 1.6 nanomolar, indicating high binding strength.
The research showed that conjugates using these peptides achieved significantly higher uptake in cancer cells compared to non-conjugated oligonucleotides, underscoring their potential to enhance delivery precision and therapeutic effectiveness in oncology.
Fujifilm continues to expand its global presence in peptide drug discovery and development services, offering contract research across peptide discovery, high-throughput screening, structural optimization, and chemical synthesis. Its integrated approach also includes support for protein expression and purification, enabling end-to-end solutions for pharmaceutical partners.
The company stated that its advancements in cyclic peptide technologies reflect a broader commitment to innovation in healthcare, particularly in developing next-generation targeted therapeutics.
