Mitsubishi Research Institute and Astellas Pharma have announced a collaboration to support drug-discovery startups in Japan, aiming to enhance their global competitiveness.
The initiative is part of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare’s Medical Innovation Support Office (MEDISO) programme.
The partnership will leverage the strengths of both organisations and seeks to apply Japan’s advanced life-sciences technologies practically.
Mitsubishi Research Institute, which has been operating MEDISO since 2018, will design specific support programmes.
The institute has previously supported over 1,200 startups and academic ventures.
Astellas Pharma will offer drug-discovery startups access to laboratory and office space at SakuLab-Tsukuba, located at the Astellas Tsukuba Research Centre.
Startups at SakuLab-Tsukuba will benefit from consultations with Astellas experts and networking opportunities with fellow residents and Astellas researchers.
The support aims to provide early access to pharmaceutical industry insights, facilitating the global development and potential out-licensing of Japanese drug-discovery startups.
Mitsubishi Research Institute public innovation unit executive officer and general manager Hirofumi Suzuki said: “Promising startups can substantially speed up the commercialisation of their offerings by engaging with globally active pharmaceutical companies early.”
“We are pleased to partner with Astellas Pharma to support startups under the MEDISO initiative, and we are sure that this will be a groundbreaking step for Japan’s drug discovery ecosystem.
“We are committed to leveraging the strengths of both companies to swiftly deliver innovative pharmaceuticals to patients in Japan and globally.”
The initiative aligns with the Basic Policy on Economic and Fiscal Management and Reform 2024, which seeks to enhance domestic research and development environments.
It also encourages global pharmaceutical companies and venture capitalists to participate in building a robust drug discovery ecosystem in Japan.
Furthermore, MEDISO plans to collaborate with local and global partners to support the expansion of Japanese drug-discovery startups and attract global investment into Japan.
Astellas Pharma chief research and development officer (CRDO) Tadaaki Taniguchi said: “We are very pleased to agree on a memorandum of understanding with MRI.
“Astellas Pharma is committed to growing and developing innovative ideas and technologies with academia and startups by providing knowledge and experience gained through research and our global network.
“We expect that the signing of this MoU will further strengthen and accelerate drug discovery research by Japanese startups, ultimately leading to the creation of innovative medical solutions.”
Recently, the Japanese pharmaceutical firm has secured an exclusive licence agreement with China-based Evopoint Biosciences for the latter’s experimental drug XNW27011.
