The 99th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Pharmacological Society

Chair:Kinuyo Iwata(Nippon Medical School Graduate School of Medicine), Hisanori Matsui(Ciconia Bioventures Inc.)

The discovery of kisspeptin, a pivotal regulator of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), represents one of the most significant breakthroughs in reproductive endocrinology in the 2000s. Pioneering studies from various countries have revealed the neurophysiological functions of kisspeptin conserved across species. As our understanding of its molecular, physiological, and pathophysiological roles deepens, kisspeptin has been firmly established as an upstream regulator of GnRH neurons, helping to solve a mystery that remained for over 30 years since the discovery of GnRH. Furthermore, kisspeptin research has been applied to drug discovery, leading to the development of novel therapeutic candidates, some of which have received regulatory approval. This symposium will provide an overview of the kisspeptin research from fundamental mechanisms to clinical applications and will highlight its potential as a model for accelerating drug discovery through the integration of academic research and industrial development.