About us
The research engine for our Primary Focus in Immuno-Oncology is based at Tsukuba Research Center in Japan. This engine plays a central role in advancing the creation of innovative cancer therapeutics, by bringing together scientists with diverse backgrounds including pharmacology, chemistry, antibody engineering, pharmacokinetics, and safety under a bio-venture-like agile organizational structure. In addition, we collaborate with Astellas’ various research divisions and have established a robust network of external partners to co-create VALUE for patients diagnosed with various forms of cancer.
As part of this initiative, we established a Tumor MicroEnvironment imaging and interactive research for innovation (TME iLab) open innovation hub in Kashiwa-no-ha, a center of life science in Japan, to promote defining characteristics of the tumor microenvironment in clinical samples, selecting biomarkers for effective therapies from clinical data, and identifying candidate target molecules that will become new therapeutic targets.
Please click here to learn more about Astellas’ Primary Focus in Immuno-Oncology.
Our Approach
We focus on the development of multifunctional modality platforms that enable simultaneous stimulation of multiple steps in the cancer immune cycle (Fig. 1). We are actively forming strategic alliances with world-leading research institutes and companies in the immuno-oncology field and have successfully built a robust and competitive pipeline (Fig. 2). We are also strengthening collaboration within Astellas at Xyphos in San Francisco, CA (a cancer cell therapy leader) and our cancer translational science team in Cambridge, MA to jointly address next generation immuno-oncology therapeutics based on our deep understanding of the tumor microenvironment.
Fig.1 Cancer Immunity Cycle and Our Programs
Source for Cancer Immunity Cycle: Chen DS & Mellman I. Immunity. 2013;39(1):1-10 and Demalia O. et al. Nature. 2019;574(7776):45-56.
Fig.2 Immuno-Oncology Pipeline
IL: Interleukin, DGK: Diacylglycerol kinase
Team
Leader
Division Head
Ryuichi Moriya, Ph.D.
Dr. Moriya joined Astellas in 2009 and has engaged in Antibody Drug Discovery at Tsukuba Research Center and Antibody Drug Conjugate research at Agensys, a subsidiary in the United States. In 2018, he was appointed Head of the Targeted Medicine Laboratory and has experience as a Primary Focus Modality Lead. He has been in his present position since October 2023.
Principal Investigator
Akihiro Ohashi, Ph.D.
Division Head, Exploratory Oncology Research & Clinical Trial Center, National Cancer Center
Affiliate Associate Professor, Graduate School of Frontier Science, The University of Tokyo
Affiliate Associate Professor, Research Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science