JPMA and AMED "Joint Press Briefing Announcing the launch of "AND-E", a new framework for collaboration to strengthen the drug discovery ecosystem

On January 19, 2026, a press briefing was held jointly by the JPMA and AMED at the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED) (Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo). At this briefing, AMED and the JPMA announced the launch of "AMED IND ^{ENGINE (AND-E)} ENGINE (AND-E)" as a new framework for collaboration between AMED and the Pharmaceutical Cooperative Association to strengthen the drug discovery ecosystem. The briefing was attended by more than 30 members of the press and has since been widely reported in the general and trade press.

Summary of Presentations

(1) AMED President Hitoshi Nakagama

Dr. Hitoshi Nakagama, President of AMED, reviewed the R&D support system at AMED and explained the importance of a "seamless support" system for the promotion of drug discovery research. From the viewpoint of improving the drug discovery capability in Japan, he positioned AND-E as a mechanism for practical application of drug discovery research themes by incorporating the viewpoints of companies, and indicated the importance of solving various issues from the viewpoints of both parties.

(2) Asuka Miyabashira, Chairman, JPMA

Chairperson Asuka Miyabashira expressed the importance of strengthening the evaluation and strategic design functions to link research results to practical application by returning to AMED the experience and know-how accumulated by the JPMA industry in the drug discovery process, development, and launch of new drugs from the perspective of "Co-creation between the JPMA and AMED to open up a future drug discovery ecosystem. The importance of these functions will be further emphasized in the future. He also expressed his hope that these functions will be implemented within AMED in the future, leading to an increase in the overall level of Japan's drug discovery ecosystem.

(3) Hiroaki Ueno, Special Assistant to the President, AMED

Mr. Hiroaki Ueno explained the current status of AMED's drug discovery-related projects and the expected benefits of collaboration with JPMA. He indicated the importance of taking initiatives based on existing efforts and the knowledge of the pharmaceutical industry in order to overcome the "magic river" based on the optimal combination of various technologies and findings in drug discovery research.

What is AND-E, the Strengthening of Cooperation between the JPMA and AMED?

AND-E is characterized by the fact that expert personnel from JPMA member companies with extensive experience in planning drug discovery research and leading projects are seconded to AMED to identify drug prototypes from early-stage basic research and to chart a strategic direction toward practical application and commercialization. In addition, a response team will be set up on the industry side and AMED side to regularly check progress and discuss policies, thereby establishing a system to steadily link the results of basic research to practical applications. It has been pointed out that there is a gap, or "magic river," between the basic and budding research supported by AMED and drug discovery research and development. In order to overcome this gap, the AND-E was positioned as a core initiative in three areas: evaluation of drug discovery potential from the perspective of commercialization and social implementation, design of virtual research scenarios with an awareness of TPP (Target Product Profile), and creation of development roadmaps with a view to achieving INDs. The three core initiatives were

Toward Sustainable Development of the Drug Discovery Ecosystem

At this joint press conference, the JPMA and AMED clearly expressed their shared direction to strengthen Japan's drug discovery capabilities through "co-creation. The JPMA will further strengthen its collaboration with AMED to promote the creation of innovative new drugs and the exchange of human resources through AND-E in order to enhance Japan's drug discovery capabilities, while contributing to the sustainable development of the drug discovery ecosystem.

For details, please refer to the briefing materials of the day posted on the AMED website below.
https://www.amed.go.jp/pr/pressmeeting/r07.html

(Hideki Sato, Director, Public Relations Department)

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