ARC Therapies Inc. (Head Office: Shinjuku, Tokyo; President & CEO: Rami Suzuki), a certified startup from the National Cancer Center Japan, has initiated research of YB328, a newly identified gut microbe, toward clinical application. Utilizing its proprietary intellectual property, the company has designated the YB328 strain as ARC0812 (RUX: "Lux") and will proceed with preclinical and human clinical trials to evaluate its administration methods and therapeutic efficacy for potential real-world application.

YB328 was identified by a research group led by Dr. Hiroyoshi Nishikawa, Chief of the Division of Cancer Immunology at the National Cancer Center Research Institute. This specific bacterial strain was found to be prevalent in the gut microbiota of cancer patients who responded favorably to immune checkpoint inhibitors. In murine models, the presence of YB328 was also associated with activation of anti-tumor immune responses.

Building on these findings, ARC Therapies is now exploring the potential of ARC0812 (RUX) to serve as an immune adjuvant in human cancer immunotherapy. Further studies are underway with a view toward eventual commercialization.