The Nucleotide and Peptide Drug Discovery Center (TIDE Center) at the Institute of Science Tokyo promotes middle molecule drug discovery, focusing on nucleotide and peptide therapeutics. The Center advances convergence science by integrating specialists from diverse fields such as basic medicine, clinical medicine, structural biology, data science, nucleic acid chemistry, peptide chemistry, polymer engineering, pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, toxicology, and pharmaceutical formulation.

Established in 2022 under the efforts of its founding Director, Professor Takanori Yokota, the TIDE Center is the first academic center exclusively dedicated to middle molecule drug discovery and therapeutic research. It consolidates innovative and versatile technologies developed at the former Tokyo Medical and Dental University, including nucleic acid drug discovery using heteroduplex oligonucleotides and siRNA, middle molecule therapeutics such as mRNA and peptides, specialized delivery technologies, and structural design using cryo-electron microscopy. The name “TIDE Center” reflects the common term “TIDE” shared by nucleoTIDE and pepTIDE.

The TIDE Center actively pursues next-generation molecular-targeted drug discovery by integrating therapeutic target genes and molecules identified through medical research with high-performance compounds and structural molecular technologies developed through engineering research. Rather than simply refining existing technologies and their clinical applications, the Center is committed to pioneering novel pharmaceuticals based on robust biological and pathophysiological molecular foundations.

In October 2024, the Institute of Science Tokyo was established through the merger of Tokyo Medical and Dental University and Tokyo Institute of Technology, creating an ideal research platform for the TIDE Center. Under this new framework, from April 2025, the Center will accelerate the practical implementation of drug discovery research, enhance its real-world application, and initiate foundational research aligned with emerging clinical needs. Additionally, the Center will undertake genome-based drug discovery, essential for advancing middle molecule therapeutics.

The TIDE Center’s research is organized around three main areas: drug discovery for infectious diseases, including COVID-19; therapeutic development targeting common diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, and osteoarthritis; and “N of 1” personalized drug discovery, providing tailored medical treatments for patients with rare and difficult-to-treat conditions.

Our ultimate goal is to develop innovative pharmaceutical technologies for middle molecules, delivering new treatments from academia to address diverse patient needs. The Institute of Science Tokyo combines expertise in nucleotide and peptide drug discovery, directly translating our cutting-edge research into pharmaceutical development. By addressing unmet medical needs, we aim to achieve comprehensive “total healthcare” for all.

April 1, 2025
Kumiko Ui-Tei
Director
Nucleotide and Peptide Drug Discovery Center,
Institute of Science Tokyo