JITSUBO

About JITSUBO

Jitsubo operates as a biopharmaceutical entity focused on the development and manufacturing of peptide-based therapeutics. Founded on April 8, 2005, by Professor Kazuhiro Chiba of the Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, the company was established to commercialize his scientific discoveries in peptide synthesis. The firm is currently a subsidiary of SPERA PHARMA, Inc., which is part of the Astena Holdings group.

The core of Jitsubo's business is its proprietary peptide synthesis technology, Molecular Hiving™. This tag-assisted, liquid-phase synthesis method was developed by Professor Chiba and represents a hybrid approach, integrating the advantages of both traditional solid-phase and liquid-phase synthesis methods. Molecular Hiving™ utilizes a hydrophobic tag that acts similarly to the resin in solid-phase synthesis, but allows for reactions to occur in a homogeneous solution. This enables direct in-process controls and removes the need for intermediate isolation, significantly reducing solvent consumption and waste compared to conventional processes. The technology is designed to be scalable and cost-efficient, using general-purpose manufacturing equipment rather than specialized facilities. It also avoids the use of carcinogenic, mutagenic, or toxic to reproduction (CMR) substances, making its products suitable for the pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries.

Jitsubo's business model is centered on providing peptide-related services, including contract manufacturing of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs), developing manufacturing processes, and licensing its Molecular Hiving™ technology. The company caters to pharmaceutical and biotechnology firms, offering peptide synthesis from research samples to investigational drugs. A key revenue stream involves licensing agreements with major pharmaceutical companies. For instance, Jitsubo has exclusive licensing agreements with Bachem AG, a global peptide contract manufacturing organization (CMO), and Novo Nordisk. Under these agreements, Jitsubo develops manufacturing processes which are then transferred to its partners for optimization, large-scale production, and commercialization, with Jitsubo receiving development fees and royalties in return.