Catalys Pacific
Catalys Pacific is a venture capital firm that creates and funds biotech companies through a transpacific company-creation model. The firm operates with local on-the-ground teams in Japan and the United States, sources assets from pharmaceutical companies, forms bespoke NewCos, assembles management and syndicates, and supports clinical development and regional commercialization to advance therapies for patients in Asia, the US, and Europe.
Catalys Pacific
Services
Company creation (NewCo formation)
Structuring and founding bespoke biotechnology companies to develop licensed drug assets derived from partner pharmaceutical companies.
Transpacific partnership facilitation
Connecting Japanese and US (and broader international) partners to enable outbound and inbound asset development and market entry.
Syndicate formation and capital raising
Assembling investor syndicates and leading seed/Series A fundraising for newly created companies.
Asset licensing and commercial strategy
Negotiating and executing out‑licensing or in‑licensing arrangements for clinical assets and defining regional commercialization approaches.
Operational and development support
Assembling management teams, R&D experts, and advisors; supporting IND/clinical planning and regulatory interactions.
Market access and regional commercialization in Asia
Driving development and potential commercialization of assets in Japan, Korea, and broader Asian markets.
Company creation (NewCo formation)
Structuring and founding bespoke biotechnology companies to develop licensed drug assets derived from partner pharmaceutical companies.
Transpacific partnership facilitation
Connecting Japanese and US (and broader international) partners to enable outbound and inbound asset development and market entry.
Syndicate formation and capital raising
Assembling investor syndicates and leading seed/Series A fundraising for newly created companies.
Asset licensing and commercial strategy
Negotiating and executing out‑licensing or in‑licensing arrangements for clinical assets and defining regional commercialization approaches.
Operational and development support
Assembling management teams, R&D experts, and advisors; supporting IND/clinical planning and regulatory interactions.
Market access and regional commercialization in Asia
Driving development and potential commercialization of assets in Japan, Korea, and broader Asian markets.
Portfolio
Initial asset upacicalcet (PLS240) approved in Japan under the brand name UPASITA®; focus on therapies for end-stage kidney disease and SHPT.
#Renal / Chronic kidney disease (CKD / ESKD)
Developing MLS-101 (aldosterone synthase inhibitor); FDA accepted IND for a Phase II trial; closed a $40M Series A in March 2021 (as reported on the site).
#Cardiovascular / Hypertension
Lead candidate ART5803 is being developed for anti‑NMDAR encephalitis and related autoimmune neuropsychiatric conditions; founded by Catalys Pacific with Avalon BioVentures and MPM Capital.
#Neuroimmunology / Neuropsychiatric diseases
Developing vonoprazan (P-CAB) for GERD and H. pylori eradication; licensed from Takeda.
#Gastrointestinal (GERD, acid-related disorders)
Licensed lanifibranor (pan‑PPAR agonist) from Inventiva S.A. for development in Japan and South Korea; focused on addressing drug-lag in the region.
#Liver disease / NASH
Focused on bringing sparsentan (dual endothelin and angiotensin receptor antagonist, marketed in the US as FILSPARI® under accelerated approval) to Japan and other Asian countries; co-founded with SR One.
#Renal disease (IgA nephropathy)
Initial asset upacicalcet (PLS240) approved in Japan under the brand name UPASITA®; focus on therapies for end-stage kidney disease and SHPT.
#Renal / Chronic kidney disease (CKD / ESKD)
Developing MLS-101 (aldosterone synthase inhibitor); FDA accepted IND for a Phase II trial; closed a $40M Series A in March 2021 (as reported on the site).
#Cardiovascular / Hypertension
Lead candidate ART5803 is being developed for anti‑NMDAR encephalitis and related autoimmune neuropsychiatric conditions; founded by Catalys Pacific with Avalon BioVentures and MPM Capital.
#Neuroimmunology / Neuropsychiatric diseases
Developing vonoprazan (P-CAB) for GERD and H. pylori eradication; licensed from Takeda.
#Gastrointestinal (GERD, acid-related disorders)
Licensed lanifibranor (pan‑PPAR agonist) from Inventiva S.A. for development in Japan and South Korea; focused on addressing drug-lag in the region.
#Liver disease / NASH
Focused on bringing sparsentan (dual endothelin and angiotensin receptor antagonist, marketed in the US as FILSPARI® under accelerated approval) to Japan and other Asian countries; co-founded with SR One.
#Renal disease (IgA nephropathy)