Dexerials Corporation (Headquarters: Shimotsuke-shi, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan; Representative Director and President: Yoshihisa Shinya; hereinafter referred to as “Dexerials”) and Veritas In Silico Inc. (Headquarters: Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, Japan; Representative Director and CEO: Shingo NAKAMURA; hereinafter referred to as “VIS”) have been conducting Proof of-Concept studies on the feasibility of a novel spectroscopic measurement methods for RNA structures since December 2023. As their studies have progressed and feasibility has become foreseeable, Dexerials and VIS have agreed to undertake joint technology development
(hereinafter referred to as “the Joint Development”) aimed at establishing and implementing a high-speed and high-accurate spectroscopic RNA structure measurement methods (hereinafter referred to as “the Methods”) for societal application.

The Joint Development aims to establish an accurate yet rapid non-destructive spectroscopic measurement methods for RNA structure within the next three years (start date to be determined through discussions between the two companies). The Methods will complement both ambiguous structural analysis techniques like SHAPE and time-consuming structural analysis techniques like NMR for medium-length RNA strands, enabling the determination of their sequence composition, secondary structure, and tertiary structure. In the Joint Development, VIS will leverage its expertise in RNA structure to design RNA strands and perform structural analysis. Dexerials will utilize its spectroscopic instrumentation measurement technology, machine learning, and data analysis capabilities.

Currently, VIS is conducting joint drug discovery research on small molecule drugs targeting mRNA with multiple pharmaceutical companies, utilizing its proprietary drug discovery platform, ibVIS®. This platform integrates various drug discovery technologies that are optimized for mRNA targets. This drug discovery platform is also applicable to nucleic acid drug discovery research, and VIS is already working to create its own pipeline of nucleic acid drugs. The outcomes of this joint development are expected to enhance the robustness of ibVIS® and lead to a deeper understanding of RNA structures. Furthermore, as the Methods is anticipated to be non-destructive, high-speed, and high-accurate, Dexerials and VIS are planning to widely release the Methods in the future. This will enable its application not only to RNA structural studies but also to quality inspection and quality control during RNA manufacturing.

● Comments from Shingo NAKAMURA, Representative Director and CEO of VIS
VIS has been leveraging ibVIS® platform to discover mRNA-targeted small molecule drugs and nucleic acid therapeutics. At its core, our approach involves analyzing long RNA substructures using in silico methods to identify drug-targetable substructures. While we confirmed these identified substructures using techniques like NMR, we recognized room for improvement in terms of speed, accuracy, and information content.
The Methods are capable of rapidly and accurately obtaining a wealth of detailed information, including structural elements, for medium-length RNAs. This objective is accomplished through the training of machine learning models on data from multiple sensors that were previously utilized independently. This approach complements and improves upon the multiple measurement techniques traditionally employed. VIS will first implement these methods internally. Given the high applicability and generality of this technology, VIS also aims to commercialize the provision of these methods to generate revenue. Furthermore, VIS expects that customer usage will accumulate additional data, which we will use to enhance the accuracy of the machine learning and further improve the Methods.
VIS intends to stabilize and enhance our business through these methods while also contributing to the scientific field.

● Impact on Future Business Performance of VIS
The research expenses associated with the Joint Development will be respectively covered by Dexerials and VIS, with no financial transactions planned between the parties. Therefore, VIS anticipates that the impact on business performance of VIS for the fiscal year ending December 2025 and beyond will be minimal.
In case any matters requiring disclosure arise in the future, they will be promptly disclosed.

● About Dexerials Corporation
Dexerials develops, manufactures and distributes electronic components, junction materials, optical materials and other functional materials that are indispensable in smartphones, laptops and other electronic devices, in addition to components for automobiles, which are increasingly becoming electronic, making electronics parts ever more indispensable. Also, as a starting point in contributing toward the realization of further growth and a sustainable society, the Company has defined its Purpose: “Empower Evolution. Connect People and Technology.” as explained in the website section “About Dexerials” under “Corporate Philosophy, Vision and Purpose.”

・Company name: Dexerials Corporation
・Headquarters: 1724 Shimotsuboyama, Shimotsuke-shi, Tochigi
・Representative: Yoshihisa Shinya, Representative Director and President
・Establishment: June 20, 2012
・Official Website: https://www.dexerials.jp/en/