JCR Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd. announced on July 8, 2025, that it has entered into a license agreement with Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease, for JCR's proprietary JUST-AAV capsids to develop genomic medicines. The agreement represents a significant expansion of the companies' existing partnership in rare disease therapeutics.
Technology Platform and Capabilities
JUST-AAV encompasses a range of vector types optimized for various target tissues—including liver-sparing, muscle-targeting, and brain-targeting variants—to expand the potential of AAV-based gene therapy. The proprietary platform technology utilizes modified adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors with insertion of miniaturized antibodies against receptors on selected tissues, organs or the blood-brain barrier onto the capsid surface, enhancing targeted delivery to those tissues and organs.
Further capsid modifications minimize off-target effects and improve safety. The name is derived from "JCR" "Ultimate destination of organ" "Safeguarding against off-target delivery" and "Transformative technology" reflecting its potential for broad application across various diseases.
According to preclinical data presented at the 2025 American Society of Gene & Cell Therapy (ASGCT) conference, the platform achieved 90% greater brain delivery efficiency compared to existing vectors, while reducing liver tropism by over 50%.
Financial Terms and Structure
Under the terms of the agreement, Alexion may use the licensed capsids in up to five of Alexion's genomic medicines programs. JCR will receive an upfront payment from Alexion and is eligible to receive milestone payments of up to USD 225 million related to research and development, and up to USD 600 million related to sales, for a total of up to USD 825 million (approximately JPY 120 billion converted at the exchange rate of JPY 145 to USD), which reflects the aggregate milestones if all five targets are exercised.
In addition, JCR is entitled to receive tiered royalties based on net sales. The impact of this agreement on JCR's consolidated financial results for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2026, has already been factored into the current earnings forecast.
Strategic Partnership Evolution
This agreement marks the third partnership between JCR and Alexion, following research collaborations involving J-Brain Cargo® technology—the first announced in March 2023 for neurodegenerative disease and the second announced in December 2023 for the discovery of oligonucleotide therapeutics.
"I am very pleased to announce the signing of this license agreement for our proprietary AAV capsid platform, JUST-AAV," said Shin Ashida, Chairman, President and CEO of JCR. "I believe JUST-AAV has the potential to make a real difference in the development of gene therapies for rare diseases, and I look forward to its application across a broader range of conditions. JCR values its partnership with Alexion, and we are pleased to build on the collaboration we have developed over the years."
Complementary Technologies
JCR Pharmaceuticals has also developed a proprietary blood-brain barrier-penetrating technology, J-Brain Cargo®, to bring biotherapeutics into the central nervous system. The first drug developed based on this technology and approved in Japan for the treatment a lysosomal storage disorder is IZCARGO® (INN: pabinafusp alfa).
Company Background
JCR Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd. (TSE 4552) is a global specialty pharmaceutical company that develops treatments that go beyond rare diseases to solve the world's most complex healthcare challenges. The company continues to build upon its 50-year legacy in Japan while expanding its global footprint into the U.S., Europe, and Latin America.
JCR's approved products in Japan include therapies for the treatment of growth disorder, MPS II (Hunter syndrome), Fabry disease, acute graft-versus host disease, and renal anemia. The company's investigational products in development worldwide are aimed at treating rare diseases including MPS I (Hurler, Hurler-Scheie and Scheie syndrome), MPS II, MPS IIIA and B (Sanfilippo syndrome type A and B), and more.
