
Integrated Drug Discovery
Integrated Drug Discovery
Axcelead offers fully integrated drug discovery services from target discovery to IND enabling translational research. To accelerate and increase success rate of your drug discovery, Axcelead’s experienced and collaborative team facilitates each stage of your drug discovery project with its professional expertise, state-of-the-art facilities, and pharma origin huge compounds library/database, delivering timely and cost-effective results.
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Better Target
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Better Molecule
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Better Translation

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Better Target
Target Identification and Validation -
Better Molecule
Hit Identification -
Better Molecule
Lead Generation -
Better Molecule
Lead Optimization -
Better Translation
Candidate Selection -
Better Translation
Non-Clinical Development
1Target Identification and Validation
Purpose of Each Stage
Identify optimal targets in drug discovery from a multitude of perspectives and verify the validity of each
Axcelead Solution
We could support the identification of novel "Drug Target" using both various biological platforms and our knowledges which we have validated more than 500 targets
- Various omics data analysis to use clinical samples and pathological animal model samples
[Transcriptome, proteome, metabolome and lipidome] - Integrated analysis of the histopathology and gene expression
[Laser microdissection technology, spatial transcriptomics] - Hypothesis development and identification of drug discovery target candidates using bioinformatics
[Selection of drug discovery targets using Axcelead's unique finger printing technology] - Identification of unknown targets using chemical proteomics
- Validation study for novel drug target candidates
[Target validation via in vitro assay using cell lines and disease derived iPS cells
Validation by in vivo assay using genetically modified animal subjects]
2Hit Identification
Purpose of Each Stage
Narrowing down promising compounds that act on identified drug discovery targets
Cycle Time
9 months (from system construction with general target to hit identification); additional 3 months (profiling, initial synthetic development, and evaluation)
Axcelead Solution
Axcelead enjoys a higher than 90% hit rate that ensures we are able to efficiently obtain high-quality hit compound information, backed by accumulated drug discovery data and more than 600 screenings
- Vast Pharma-origin library with high-quality and diverse structure, holding over 1.5 million compounds
- High-throughput screening (HTS) using an automated system
- Comprehensive end to end support from strategic planning to material preparation, system construction, HTS, profiling and crystal structural analysis
- Scope includes a wide range of target classes including enzymes, GPCR, nuclear receptors, transporters, channels, protein-protein interactions, nucleic acids + platforms suitable for phenotypic screening, mass spectrometry, high content assay, qRT-PCR, HTS utilizing SyncoPatch
- Virtual screening using In Silico Medicinal Chemistry technology
- One-stop shop: high-throughput ADME-Tox evaluation, SAR analysis performed by experienced chemists and generation of Advanced Hit compounds with several approaches to prioritize your hit chemotype.
- HTS (click here for further details)
Recently Added Service
High-throughput screening — compound binding assay using affinity selection mass spectrometry (ASMS)
3Lead Generation
Purpose of Each Stage
Generate a compound with an appropriate profile that qualifies as a lead compound
Cycle Time
9 months
Axcelead Solution
Axcelead offer integrated capabilities spanning the Lead Generation process. Our scientists, with their wealth of knowledge and experience, keep the project moving forward through high-level “design, synthesis, evaluation and analysis” cycle.
All-in-One Solutions for Candidates Generation
- Axcelead’s experts in medicinal chemistry can resolve multiple issues that may arise during the lead generation process, using a high level drug discovery platform
- One-stop shop: broad range, multifaceted evaluations including discovery DMPK, physicochemical properties, pharmacological evaluation, exploratory toxicity, other
- Supports PK/PD analysis and PoM
- The Axcelead Hit Identified Target (A-HiT) Project promises to significantly save the time and cost associated with the initial state of drug discovery research
Case study: Otsuka Pharmaceutical and Axcelead Drug Discovery Partners undertake collaborative drug discovery research in the area of central nervous system diseases
4Lead Optimization
Purpose of Each Stage
Optimize compounds and select the promising candidates with good efficacy, DMPK, and safety for clinical development
Cycle Time
12 months
Axcelead Solution
Cross-functionality supported by specialized teams, the primary one being our chemists who have considerable drug discovery experience, all who work in tandem to keep the project moving forward by rapidly putting the compounds through the “design, synthesis, evaluation and analysis” cycle
All-in-One Solutions for Candidates Generation
- Delivered over 50 preclinical / clinical candidates
- Experts in medicinal chemistry determine the balance between drug efficacy, physicochemical properties, DMPK, and safety, etc., and provide candidate compounds for development that have undergone precise structural conversion
- Full support for PK/PD/efficacy analysis and acquisition of PoM/POC
- The A-HiT Project can be initiated at the lead optimization stage (The assets owned by Axcelead present lead compounds and a primary assay system specific to drug discovery targets)
5Candidate Selection
Purpose of Each Stage
Based on the multiple compound evaluation results, coupled with the in-house development strategy, select candidate compounds suitable to move forward to the IND application stage
Cycle Time
6 months
Axcelead Solution
Given our experience in a pharmaceutical company, advancing many projects to the IND/NDA application stage, we are able to support the selection of candidate compounds for development using a multi-disciplinary approach to evaluation
- Achieve efficient evaluation of compounds through collaboration between our pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, safety, and synthesis departments
・Use disease animal models to evaluate drug efficacy and effective dosage
・Predict human PK, effective concetration and dose based on the PK/PD analysis in disease animal models
・Based on the results of the human prediction, develop a plan for preliminary toxicity study - Our professionals in all fields, leveraging their considerable drug discovery experience, will hold a series of discuss with the client so as to both reach and fully support the optimum decision that is tailored for nature of the compound and the client's strategy
6Non-Clinical Development
Purpose of Each Stage
Secure necessary data for the IND application, prepare and submit application documents, follow up as required with the regulatory agency, etc.
Cycle Time
12 months
Axcelead Solution
Drawing on our considerable experience in processing many IND applications in Japan, Europe, and the United States, not to mention our experience previously garnered while either working directly in a pharmaceutical company or as a consultant, we are confident in our ability to provide total support and smooth handling of your IND application and/or out-license
- Our pharmacokinetics, safety, pharmacology, and chemistry departments coordinate their efforts to ensure compounds are evaluated across multi-disciplines. We propose optimal non-clinical development strategies for individual projects
By paying especial attention to the safety of the compound for development we ensure efficiency up to the time the IND application is processed - Achieve efficient non-clinical development by consistently tackling development issues from suggestion of data packages for the IND application to the study management
- Our experience in successfully handling over 100 IND and 20 NDA applications to date gives us the confidence to address such concerns as toxicity and metabolites, and respond to the regulatory authorities
- In collaboration with Leiden Experts on Advanced Pharmacokinetics & Pharmacodynamics Consultants BV (LAP&P) support translational research including human PK/PD predictive modeling and simulation, biomarker search
Solution Case Study 1
Axcelead Hit Search — Exceptional Quality & Efficiency
Axcelead efficiently discovers high quality hit compounds with integrated HTS platform and drives generation of Advanced hit compounds and prioritization of hit chemotypes with comprehensive activities by collaborating with highly experienced chemists and the ADME-Tox team
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Better Target
Target Identification and Validation -
Better Molecule
Hit Identification -
Better Molecule
Lead Generation -
Better Molecule
Lead Optimization -
Better Translation
Candidate Selection -
Better Translation
Non-Clinical Development
- Using our vast historical drug discovery data and knowledge as a pharmaceutical company, we will propose the best HTS strategy with the highest success rate depending on your target and requirements
- Our closely linked multiple functionalities, including material preparation, assay development, screening, chemistry and ADME-Tox, ensure a rapid generation of lead-like Advanced Hit compounds with several approaches to prioritize the hit chemotype suitable for lead generation

We look forward to hearing from you
- For clients searching for promising hit compounds for lead generation and optimization
- For clients seeking to accelerate the timeline from hit selection to lead generation
Solution Case Study 2
Non-Clinical Development with the Focus on “Post” IND Application
Axcelead provides comprehensive support for starting clinical trials and out-licensing by drawing upon our experience, which for many projects has led to a successful outcome for IND and NDA
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Better Target
Target Identification and Validation -
Better Molecule
Hit Identification -
Better Molecule
Lead Generation -
Better Molecule
Lead Optimization -
Better Translation
Candidate Selection -
Better Translation
Non-Clinical Development
- Propose optimal non-clinical development strategies (non-GMPbulk synthesis, study menu selection, design, scheduling, budget, etc.) based on project goals and TPP (compound indicators/target product profile) while taking into account the properties of the development candidate compound
- A project coordinator is assigned to ensure smooth and consistent communication with the client
Utilize a mutually developed decision tree to measure the project's progress and manage risk - Effectively evaluate compounds from a comprehensive viewpoint by not only collaborating within the various departments of Axcelead but also working with the affiliated CROs, CMOs and other related departments of the client. Most importantly, Axcelead manages the entire assay process at its hub to significantly reduce the client's burden for drug discovery

We look forward to hearing from you
- For those who want to efficiently apply for IND application with the early acquiring of data necessary for clinical development strategic planning
- For those who want to succeed in gaining authorization of their IND application while also preparing attractive data sets for license-out
- For those experiencing difficult applying for an IND that involves a disease or modality for which they have no prior experience