Asahi Kasei Pharma and Alchemedicine announce initiation of Phase I study of selective endothelin A receptor antagonist AK1960
February 18, 2026
Asahi Kasei Pharma Corp.
Alchemedicine, Inc.
Asahi Kasei Pharma and Alchemedicine today announced that Asahi Kasei Pharma has initiated a Phase I study in Japan for AK1960, a selective endothelin A receptor antagonist discovered by Alchemedicine.
AK1960 is a small molecule with a novel core structure derived from Alchemedicine’s HiSAP™1 platform. With potent inhibition and high selectivity for the endothelin A receptor, and having shown outstanding efficacy in animal models for kidney diseases, AK1960 is expected to contribute to the treatment of various diseases which are difficult to control, such as refractory chronic kidney disease.
In June 2022, Asahi Kasei Pharma and Alchemedicine entered into an exclusive license agreement under which Asahi Kasei Pharma obtained exclusive rights to develop, manufacture, and commercialize AK1960 worldwide. Asahi Kasei Pharma is developing innovative new drugs that offer greater benefits in fields including immunology, severe infections, transplantation, renal diseases, and orthopedics. AK1960 aligns with its R&D strategy and is expected to contribute to the long-term growth of its pharmaceuticals business.
Asahi Kasei Pharma and Alchemedicine look forward to contributing to the treatment of conditions with significant unmet medical needs by creating innovative new drugs for refractory diseases.
- About Alchemedicine, Inc.
- Alchemedicine is focused on the discovery of small molecule drugs using the proprietary HiSAP™ medicinal chemistry platform under a vision of “We successively discover life changing treatments for various diseases that make a lasting positive contribution to society.” Alchemedicine uses HiSAP™ to quickly create drug candidate compounds with improved efficacy and safety. As HiSAP™ has a broad range of applicability, Alchemedicine simultaneously performs R&D in various different therapeutic areas. To learn more, visit https://alchemedicine.com/en/
- About Asahi Kasei Pharma Corporation
- In accordance with the Asahi Kasei Pharma Mission of “to sincerely care for each individual life and solve their unmet medical needs with a wealth of ideas and solid science,” Asahi Kasei Pharma operates a pharmaceuticals business in the Healthcare sector of the Asahi Kasei Group. Asahi Kasei Pharma has developed numerous innovative drugs in the field of immunology, severe infections, transplantation, renal diseases, orthopedics, etc., contributing to society by providing such products to patients who suffer from diseases. To learn more, visit https://www.asahikasei-pharma.co.jp/en/
- 1HiSAP™ is a medicinal chemistry platform comprised of over 35,000 novel core structures and an in-silico compound-design support system. HiSAP™ rapidly improves efficacy and/or safety issues of existing bioactive compounds across a broad range of therapeutic areas, sustaining desirable drug profiles.