Innovation Kyoto 2016 Investment Limited Partnership ("KYOTO-icap No.1 Fund"), with Kyoto University Innovation Capital Corporation ("Kyoto iCAP") (Head Office: Sakyo-ku, Kyoto; Representative Director: Kimi Kusumi) as the general partner, has made an investment in Tregem Biopharma Inc. (Head office: Sakyo-ku, Kyoto; Representative Director: Honoka Kihaya), a venture company that utilizes the results of research at Kyoto University.

Outline of this investment
Tregem is a drug discovery venture in the field of dentistry that develops novel drugs to promote tooth regeneration. Through long-standing research by Associate Professor Katsu Takahashi of the Department of Oral Surgery, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, it has been shown that USAG-1, a molecule that inhibits the function of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP), is involved in the process of tooth development, and that neutralizing antibodies and siRNA (small interfering RNA) that suppress USAG-1 can restore missing teeth together with alveolar bone in edentulous animal models. We have shown that neutralizing antibodies and siRNA (small interfering RNA) that inhibit USAG-1 can restore missing teeth together with alveolar bone in an animal model of edentulism. In contrast to dentures and dental implant prostheses, which are common dental treatments, regeneration of autologous teeth with compounds has the potential to be a curative treatment, and Tregem aims to market the neutralizing antibody and siRNA compounds obtained in this study as novel drugs.

Tregem is conducting research and development with congenital edentulism as the first indication. Congenital edentulism is a rare disease for which there is no curative treatment until adulthood, since the patient is a minor and the jawbone is still developing, making dentures and implants difficult to apply. Currently, patients have to endure a long period of time until adulthood with conservative treatment, and since tooth loss has a negative impact on nutritional security and growth, the development of a curative treatment is strongly desired. Therefore, substances developed by Tregem will regenerate autologous teeth in patients with congenital edentulism and provide an improved quality of life.

Furthermore, neutralizing antibodies against USAG-1 are also expected to generate third growth teeth after permanent teeth, and in the future we hope to expand this to the improvement of oral frailty in the elderly and contribute widely to dental treatment.

Kyoto iCAP invested 49,995,000 yen in Tregem, citing the company's potential to develop the world's first drug to regenerate autologous teeth, provide a new treatment for congenital edentulism, and revolutionize dental care.

Overview of Tregem Biopharma, Inc.

Establishment	May 2020
Business	Oral Care and Tooth Regeneration therapeutics
Head Office Location	Sakyo-ku, Kyoto
President & CEO	Honoka Kisaya