Regarding investment in biotechnology company VLP Therapeutics

TOYO INK SC Holdings Corporation (President and Representative Director Satoru Takashima, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Japan) has entered into an investment agreement with VLP Therapeutics, Inc. (CEO Wataru Akahata, Gaithersburg, MD, USA; "VLPT"), a US biotechnology company researching and developing vaccines for malaria, dengue fever, cancer, and other diseases, and VLP Therapeutics Japan KK (Group Companies), the company's (CEO: Wataru Akahata, Gaithersburg, MD, USA; hereinafter "VLPT Japan"), a U.S. biotechnology company that researches and develops vaccines for cancer and other diseases, and VLP Therapeutics, Inc.

VLPT was founded in 2013 by Wataru Akabata, who at the time was conducting research and development at the National Institutes of Health's Vaccine Research Center, with the aim of developing innovative treatments that would completely change conventional vaccine therapy. Based on fundamental technologies such as VLP (virus-like particles)*1 and replicon (next-generation mRNA) technology*2, we are conducting research and development of cancer treatment vaccines and preventive vaccines for infectious diseases such as malaria and dengue fever. VLPT Japan is working on research and development of vaccines for the new coronavirus infection (Covid-19) using VLPT's basic technology.

The Toyo Ink Group has identified life sciences as one of its priority development areas, and in 2016 entered the transdermal patches business. Bioscience products such as polymers for bioscience and fluorescent probe dyes for imaging "Sciforiem™ series" and is working to expand our biomedical business. We have been strengthening our relationship with VLPT by dispatching two researchers to support vaccine development from 2023, and by dispatching one researcher in July this year to support the early launch of VLPT Japan's planned clinical trial vaccine manufacturing base (Kurume City, Fukuoka Prefecture, scheduled to start operations in 2024).

Through its investment in VLPT and VLPT Japan, the Toyo Ink Group will support the company's various business operations, contribute to the further progress of vaccine development and the acceleration of clinical trial cycles toward practical use. We will discuss the possibility of collaboration in the field of bio-related products of the Group. The Toyo Ink Group will take on the challenge of creating products and solutions that enrich and healthy people's lives, and contribute to solving social issues in the life science field.

Overview of VLPT and VLPT Japan

1. VLP: Abbreviation for Virus Like Particles. Virus particles that do not contain infectious genetic material can induce a strong immune response when used as a vaccine without causing side effects caused by the virus.

2. Replicon (next generation mRNA) technology: Self-replicating mRNA (messenger RNA). When used as a vaccine, the amount of vaccination can be reduced to 1/10 to 100 times that of current mRNA vaccines, resulting in a shorter period of time. In addition to being able to produce vaccines to cover a large population, it is expected that side effects will be reduced.

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