News Releases

Taiho Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (hereinafter “Taiho Pharmaceutical”) and Benz Sciences Inc. (hereinafter “Benz Sciences”) announced today that the two companies have entered into a license agreement for TAS1440, a LSD1 (lysine-specific demethylase 1) inhibitor discovered by Taiho Pharmaceutical.

Under the terms of agreement, Benz Sciences will obtain exclusive worldwide rights to develop, manufacture and commercialize TAS1440 (new development code SFG-03). Taiho Pharmaceutical will receive from Benz Sciences an upfront payment, milestone payments based on development progress and sales, and royalties.

TAS1440 is an orally administrable, small-molecule compound, reversible inhibitor of LSD1, an enzyme critical for hematopoiesis. It has been reported that the LSD1 gene is overexpressed in myeloproliferative neoplasms,¹ diseases characterized by the excessive production of blood cells due to acquired genetic mutations in hematopoietic stem cells. Benz Sciences will undertake preparations in the United States for the Phase 1b/2 trial of TAS1440 for the treatment of myeloproliferative neoplasms.

TAS1440 is a histone-competitive LSD1 inhibitor that binds to the histone H3 binding site of LSD1 to reversibly inhibit LSD1. LSD1, a critical enzyme that regulates the proliferation of hematopoietic stem cells and the maturation of progenitor cells,² is expected to be a therapeutic target for diseases such as acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and myeloproliferative neoplasms. TAS1440 has completed a Phase 1 trial targeting AML in the United States, and the results of this trial are undergoing analysis at this time.

Benz Sciences, a special purpose vehicle established by SFG SCIENCES Inc. with the aim of developing TAS1440, is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company specializing in drug discovery and development. Benz Sciences has identified myeloproliferative neoplasms as a target indication for TAS1440 development and is currently preparing for global development.

SFG SCIENCES is a biotech company focused on drug discovery and development, driven by a vision of “a future where every disease has a solution” and pioneering the first hub-and-spoke model in Japan. Through the relentless pursuit of scientific breakthroughs in drug discovery, the company is dedicated to developing treatments that bring hope and healing to patients and their families. SFG SCIENCES is committed to fostering innovation and collaboration to drive healthcare solutions that enhance the lives of patients worldwide. For more information about SFG SCIENCES, please visit: https://www.sfgsci.com/en/

Taiho Pharmaceutical, a subsidiary of Otsuka Holdings Co., Ltd. ( https://www.otsuka.com/en/ ), is an R&D-driven specialty pharma focusing on the fields of oncology and immune-related diseases. Its corporate philosophy takes the form of a pledge: “We strive to improve human health and contribute to a society enriched by smiles.” In the field of oncology, in particular, Taiho Pharmaceutical is known as a leading company in Japan for developing innovative medicines for the treatment of cancer, a reputation that is rapidly expanding through their extensive global R&D efforts. In areas other than oncology, as well, the company creates and markets quality products that effectively treat medical conditions and can help improve people’s quality of life. Always putting customers first, Taiho Pharmaceutical also aims to offer consumer healthcare products that support people’s efforts to lead fulfilling and rewarding lives. For more information about Taiho Pharmaceutical, please visit https://www.taiho.co.jp/en/

1. Dennis Niebel, Jutta Kirfel, Viktor Janzen, Tobias Höller, Michael Majores, Ines Gütgemann; Lysine-specific demethylase 1 (LSD1) in hematopoietic and lymphoid neoplasms. Blood (2014) 124 (1): 151–152. https://doi.org/10.1182/blood-2014-04-569525 Last accessed: May 29, 2025
2. Marc A Kerenyi 1, Zhen Shao, Yu-Jung Hsu, Guoji Guo, Sidinh Luc, Kassandra O'Brien, Yuko Fujiwara, Cong Peng, Minh Nguyen, Stuart H Orkin; Histone demethylase Lsd1 represses hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell signatures during blood cell maturation. Elife. 2013; Jun 18:2:e00633