Tokyo Medical University enters RA research collaboration with Progenra

Progenra, Inc. announced today it has entered in to a research collaboration with Dr. Toshihiro Nakajima, Professor, Institute of Medical Science, Tokyo Medical University. Professor Nakajima discovered the Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) biomarker and therapeutic target Synoviolin/Hrd1, a ubiquitin E3 ligase overexpressed in RA patients; it is believed Synoviolin inhibition will be therapeutically beneficial. Under the collaboration, Progenra will work with Professor Nakajima to bring existing inhibitors to market and to utilize Progenra's UbiPro™ Drug Discovery Platform to identify additional inhibitors.

"We are pleased that Progenra will work with such an accomplished researcher as Professor Nakajima and are confident our drug discovery experience coupled with his knowledge of RA and Synoviolin will bring to market a novel treatment for patients suffering from this debilitating disease," said Dr. Tauseef Butt, President, Progenra.