Aug 30, 2024
Astellas will collaborate with Shin Nippon Biomedical Laboratories, Ltd. (SNBL), a leading contract research organization (CRO) in Japan, to enhance the drug discovery ecosystem in Tsukuba, Japan. SNBL will offer non-clinical study services at a facility adjacent to SakuLab™-Tsukuba, an open innovation laboratory in the Astellas' Tsukuba Research Center.
SakuLab-Tsukuba welcomes innovators from outside the company, including start-ups and research institutions/academia. Resident researchers have access to ready-to-use lab equipment and non-confidential consultation on a wide range of drug discovery research activities. They also have networking opportunities with Astellas’ scientists and experts.
“Astellas is committed to open innovation activities that contribute to the development of the life science ecosystem in Japan,” said Hide Goto, Ph.D., Head of Astellas Open Innovation Management. “We are confident that this collaboration with SNBL, will accelerate the development of the Tsukuba ecosystem.”
SNBL, with its mainstay CRO business, brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record in drug discovery across various modalities. They will support users of SakuLab-Tsukuba and others in a wide range of nonclinical studies, including physical properties, pharmacology, kinetics and safety assessments in the early stages of drug development.
“We are delighted to have this opportunity to work with Astellas and contribute to the drug discovery ecosystem for science innovators in one of the leading life science centers in Japan,” said Ryoichi Nagata, M.D., Ph.D., Representative Chairman, President & CEO of SNBL. “SNBL has a proven track record of supporting the research and development of new drug modalities globally, and we will fully leverage our know-how and experience to support the further development of drug discovery and advanced technologies in the Tsukuba ecosystem.”