FRONTEO and TAGCyx Bio Launch a Second Stage Initiative to Advance Therapeutic Applications of Next Generation Xenoligo Aptamers

Based on the positive outcomes of the initial stage of AI-analysis project, the companies will generate and evaluate the potential of next generation nucleic acid aptamers for drug discovery and apheresis (blood purification therapy)

Tokyo, Japan, November 10, 2026 - FRONTEO, Inc. (Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan; President & CEO: Masahiro Morimoto; hereinafter “FRONTEO”) and TAGCyx Biotechnologies Inc. (Headquarters: Meguro-ku, Tokyo, Japan; President & CEO: Chizuko Koseki; hereinafter “TAGCyx Bio”), a clinical stage start-up biotech company developing innovative pharmaceuticals and diagnostic technologies using next generation nucleic acid aptamers^*1 generated using its proprietary artificial base-pair technology^*2, “Xenoligo platform”, announce the launch of their second initiative aimed at exploring new therapeutic applications for Xenoligo aptamers, utilizing FRONTEO’s AI-driven drug discovery support service, “Drug Discovery AI Factory” (hereinafter “DDAIF”).

In January 2026, the two companies entered into a proof-of-concept (PoC) agreement to identify new target molecules and indications suited for the next generation Xenoligo aptamers^*3. In the initial stage project, FRONTEO used DDAIF to identify multiple combinations of disease areas and target molecules suited to the characteristics of the Xenoligo aptamers and proposed these along with hypotheses regarding their mechanisms of action. In addition to potential use as pharmaceuticals, the companies also identified candidates that could lead to applications in apheresis (blood purification therapy) ^*4 for the selective removal of specific substances from the blood.

Based on these positive outcomes of the initial project, the two companies have launched the second stage-two initiatives: (1) the generation of new Xenoligo aptamers against the AI-identified targets and in vitro testing; and (2) the exploration of new indications to enhance the value of TAGCyx’s existing Xenoligo aptamer assets.

Background and Future Outlook of the Initiative

Based on its proprietary synthetic base-pair technology, TAGCyx Bio is advancing the research and development of Xenoligo, a next generation aptamer with selective and high binding affinity for target molecules. They are expected to serve as a new therapeutic modality with characteristics distinct from those of antibody drugs.

FRONTEO provides “DDAIF,” an AI-driven drug discovery support service that combines its proprietary Equation-driven AI “KIBIT” with the expertise of drug discovery researchers. By analyzing vast amounts of information, including medical research papers, DDAIF enables the discontinuous discovery of previously unknown associations between diseases and target molecules that have been difficult to identify using conventional methods.

Based on the positive outcomes obtained in the initial stage project, the two companies have launched a second initiative aimed at applications in drug discovery and apheresis.

By combining FRONTEO’s AI analysis technology with TAGCyx Bio’s next generation aptamer technology, the two companies aim to develop the innovative pharmaceuticals and new therapeutic technologies.

Comment from Chizuko Koseki, CEO, TAGCyx Bio

“TAGCyx Bio focuses on unmet medical needs in therapeutic areas that cannot be addressed by antibody therapeutics—due to challenges such as formulation difficulties—and is developing next generation aptamer-based therapeutics utilizing artificial base-pairing technology. We are delighted that, following our initial stage collaboration, we have received a positive report on the analysis results from FRONTEO’s ‘DDAIF’ AI, which has opened up prospects for further aptamer development together. We are now set to jointly verify these analysis results through our aptamer development program, and we have high expectations for this collaboration.”

Comment from Hiroyoshi Toyoshiba, Director and CSO (Chief Science Officer), FRONTEO

“Xenoligo aptamers are a unique modality expected to have a wide range of applications due to their high binding affinity for target molecules. In the first project, we used our AI analysis technology to identify combinations of disease areas and target molecules well-suited to these characteristics, while also proposing intriguing hypotheses regarding their mechanisms of action. In particular, we consider it a major achievement that, in addition to their use as pharmaceuticals, we identified concrete possibilities for their application in apheresis. Through this initiative, we will translate these findings into concrete research and development efforts and contribute to the creation of new therapeutic technologies that address unmet medical needs.”

Notes:
*1 Nucleic acid aptamers: Short, single-stranded DNA or RNA molecules that bind with high specificity to specific target molecules. Due to their potential for high target specificity, stability, and safety profiles, they are expected to have a wide range of potential applications in diagnostics and therapeutics.
*2 Artificial base-pair technology: A technology that develops chemically synthesized new bases (synthetic bases)—distinct from the four naturally occurring DNA bases (A, T, G, C).
*3 January 22, 2026, press release: FRONTEO and TAGCyx Bio concluded a PoC feasibility agreement to explore new therapeutic targets and indications for artificial nucleic acid aptamers utilizing Drug Discovery AI Factory, https://legal.fronteousa.com/resources/fronteo-tagcyx
*4 Apheresis: A therapeutic method in which blood is circulated out from the body, specific blood components or substances associated with a disease are selectively separated and removed, and the necessary components are then returned to the body.

About TAGCyx Biotechnologies Inc. 　https://tagcyx.com/en/
A clinical stage start-up venture company spin out from the University of Tokyo, which has the world's leading technology platform of new artificial base-pair, and is creating proprietary novel next generation aptamers and promoting development in the fields of drug discovery and medical devices. The next generation aptamer molecules with high specificity and stability can be created. The most advanced project has started clinical trials as a dermal application candidate for the treatment of vitiligo, an autoimmune disease of the skin, by the licensee company in the US. TAGCyx aim to develop drugs via local administration by taking advantages that our aptamer can be stably formulated which are considered very difficult to develop for antibody drugs, and also focused on women-oriented diseases by the fact that the aptamer molecules are not penetrate the placenta.

About FRONTEO Drug Discovery AI Factory (DDAIF)

[Reference: Initiatives with pharmaceutical companies and Academia]
https://www.fronteo.com/news/ddaif-list

FRONTEO Drug Discovery AI Factory (DDAIF) is an AI-based drug discovery support service that combines KIBIT (patented in Japan, Europe, the U.S., and South Korea), an Equation-driven AI specialized in natural language processing, with the expertise of FRONTEO’s drug discovery researchers and AI engineers. It powerfully supports researchers’ decision-making in drug development through the analysis of disease-related gene networks and the construction of hypotheses regarding target molecule candidates. This service has already been adopted by multiple major pharmaceutical companies and has a proven track record.

*The technology used in Drug Discovery AI Factory is covered by a total of 21 patents held by FRONTEO in Japan, Europe, the U.S., and South Korea.

https://lifescience.fronteo.com/products/drug-discovery-ai-factory/

About FRONTEO, Inc. https://www.fronteo.com/en/