Science and Technology

Therapeutic modality refers to defining medicine by its molecular feature. 

Before biotechnology, most medicines were derived from chemical compounds called “small molecules”. Druggable targets and diseases requiring classical small molecule drugs were limited then. 

Now, biotechnology has ushered in a new era of drug discovery by enabling its industries to use recombinant human proteins for various treatments. For example, “monoclonal antibodies” are proteins that bind to specific target molecules, with more than 70 monoclonal antibodies currently approved to treat diseases. Chugai has pioneered this field of engineered monoclonal antibodies to realize the next generation of antibody therapeutics. 

Meanwhile, as small molecule drugs are taken orally and can penetrate cell membranes, it cannot target intracellular protein-protein interactions. On the other hand, monoclonal antibody drugs can target these interactions but require inoculation via injection and cannot penetrate cells. In response, Chugai also established a new domain of therapeutics through engineered cyclic peptides with “Mid-size molecules” that can achieve all three. These molecules can target druggable diseases previously eluded by small molecules and monoclonal antibodies. 

At CPR, we strive to engineer innovative and groundbreaking therapeutic modalities for patients facing critical illnesses around the world.