Directory Entry For: Nobuyuki Matoba
Biography
Dr. Nobuyuki Matoba is a Professor in the Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology and the R&D Director of the Biopharmaceutical Research Unit at the Center for Predictive Medicine, University of Louisville School of Medicine. With over two decades of experience in biopharmaceutical research, Dr. Matoba specializes in protein-based therapeutic and vaccine development. His research focuses on leveraging protein engineering and plant-based expression systems to develop novel biologics targeting cancer, infectious diseases, and mucosal inflammatory disorders. His lab employs a multidisciplinary approach, encompassing recombinant protein design, biochemical and biophysical characterization, and preclinical efficacy and safety evaluation.
Dr. Matoba has led multiple NIH-funded projects investigating innovative therapeutics, including lectin-Fc fusion proteins targeting high-mannose glycans in cancer and viral infections. His work also extends to the development of EPICERTIN, a mucosal healing biologic for inflammatory bowel disease, currently in preclinical development with plans for first-in-human trials. Additionally, he has played a pivotal role in the clinical translation of antiviral biologics, including the development and evaluation of a SARS-CoV-2 prophylactic nasal spray. Through his extensive expertise in preclinical and clinical drug development, Dr. Matoba continues to drive the advancement of novel biopharmaceuticals from bench to bedside.
Research Interests
Protein-Based Therapeutic Development
Dr. Matoba’s research focuses on designing and engineering recombinant proteins as novel therapeutics for cancer, infectious diseases, and mucosal inflammatory disorders. His lab employs protein engineering strategies to enhance drug efficacy, stability, and targeting specificity.
Plant-Based Biopharmaceutical Production
A core aspect of Dr. Matoba’s research is leveraging plant-based expression systems for scalable and cost-effective production of biopharmaceuticals. His work aims to optimize plant-derived protein therapeutics for clinical applications.
Cancer Immunotherapy and Glycan-Targeting Biologics
Dr. Matoba’s lab is actively developing Fc fusion proteins and lectin-cytokine fusion proteins (“lectikines”) that selectively target high-mannose glycans, which are prevalent in tumor cells and certain viral infections. These novel therapeutics hold promise for enhancing immune responses against cancers and viral pathogens.
Mucosal Healing and Inflammatory Disease Therapeutics
Dr. Matoba leads the development of EPICERTIN, a mucosally administrable biologic designed to promote epithelial healing in ulcerative colitis and other mucosal inflammatory diseases. His research aims to advance EPICERTIN into clinical trials for treating patients with unmet medical needs.
Preclinical and Clinical Biopharmaceutical Development
With extensive experience in translational drug development, Dr. Matoba has contributed to multiple NIH- and DoD-funded clinical programs, including Phase I trials for antiviral biologics. His expertise spans pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and quality control in first-in-human studies.
Through these diverse research avenues, Dr. Matoba continues to innovate in the field of biopharmaceuticals, working to bring novel, life-saving therapies to clinical application.
Degrees and Certifications
Kyoto University
Kyoto University
Kyoto University