SOCIUM Inc. and Nanjing Medical University File Joint Patent in China

SOCIUM Inc. (Head Office: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Katsuhisa Horimoto) [#1] has jointly filed a patent application with Nanjing Medical University in China for its drug candidate “SO-003” (invention name: “A γ-aminobutyric acid derivative for the treatment of TDP-43 proteinopathy”), which was accepted on May 15, 2025 (application number: 2025106219561).

Key highlights of SO-003 are:

・Targets and reduces TDP-43 [#2] aggregation in muscle cells
・Expected to improve lower motor neuron [#3] function
・Accelerated development through Japan-China collaboration

Currently, preparations are underway for an investigator-initiated clinical trial led by Prof. Jin at Nanjing Medical University Sir Run Run Hospital [#4], marking SOCIUM’s second major drug development initiative [#5].

Through joint research between Japan and China, we are striving to bring about medical innovation in the treatment of rare diseases. We look forward to your continued support as we move forward.

#1 SOCIUM Inc. is a venture company that uses drug repositioning technology to discover drug discovery seeds, especially drug candidates for rare diseases. With the vision of “medicine for those without medicine, medicine for those who cannot afford medicine”, we are working to overcome the unmet medical needs of patients. For more information on our unique approach to drug discovery, please refer to the relevant section of our website (https://socium.co.jp/drug_discovery/). Please note that our company name in Chinese is “舒胜药物开发股份有限公司”.

#2 In humans, it is a protein encoded by the TARDBP gene and has been reported to have diverse functions. Clinically, it is known as a pathogenic protein in frontotemporal dementia (FTLD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and inclusion body myositis (IBM). (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TAR_DNA-binding_protein_43)

#3 This neuron is found in the spinal cord or in the brainstem nuclei and the brain that control motor function. Damage to these neurons can cause muscle hypotonia, decreased reflexes, flaccid paralysis, and muscle atrophy or muscle fiber spasms.

#4 A hospital located in Jiangsu Province, People’s Republic of China, it is a provincial-level tertiary general public hospital. It was jointly constructed by Nanjing Medical University and the Jiangning District Government, and was previously known as the Nanjing Medical University Affiliated Mingde Hospital. In February 2016, following a recommendation by the Ministry of Education, the Shaw Foundation of Hong Kong donated 200 million Hong Kong dollars without charge, and the hospital was renamed in honor of Shaw, positioning it as a high-quality, distinctive, and internationally oriented educational hospital. The hospital was constructed in accordance with Grade III, Class A standards and international JCI standards, and was officially established on June 28, 2016. (http://www.nydsrrsh.com/)

#5 The first drug development is an investigator-initiated clinical trial of a candidate drug for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) at Sichuan University Huaxi Hospital (principal investigator: Professor Shang Huifang). (https://socium.co.jp/2024/09/17/2024091701/ : https://socium.co.jp/2025/04/15/2025041501en/)

For inquiries regarding this matter, please contact
SOCIUM Inc.
5th, 6th, and 7th floors of Waterfront Center Annex, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST)
2-4-7 Aomi, Koto-ku, Tokyo, Japan 1350064
https://socium.co.jp
E-mail: contact@socium.co.jp