Oct 30, 2024

Astellas Pharma Inc. (“Astellas”) and Institute of Science Tokyo (“Science Tokyo”) have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to form a strategic partnership aimed at strengthening the drug discovery ecosystem in the Greater Tokyo Biocommunity (“GTB”) and Tsukuba areas, the Kashiwa-no-ha area, and the Hongo, Ochanomizu and Tokyo Station areas.

Based on this MOU, both parties will exchange information and engage in discussions on the following initiatives to enhance the development of the drug discovery ecosystem:

Promotion of Drug Discovery Research and Creation of New Startups
Astellas and Science Tokyo will actively advance drug discovery research and the creation of new startups through industry-academia collaboration.
Mutual Utilization of Cutting-edge Research Equipment and Data
Both parties will leverage each other’s cutting-edge research equipment, drug discovery-related data and seeds for mutual benefit.
Acceleration and Development of Collaborative Research
This collaboration will be strengthened through discussions and seminars to accelerate and develop existing collaborative research between both parties.
Open Innovation Hubs
By utilizing Science Tokyo's open innovation hub, known as “tip,” and Astellas’ open innovation hub, “SakuLab™-Tsukuba,” located at the Tsukuba Research Center, Tsukuba, Japan, both parties will promote drug discovery research. They will also focus on the creation of new startups through interaction with users, university researchers and Astellas researchers.

“With this partnership, we are promoting industry-academia collaboration and open innovation activities by leveraging strong ties with the industry and maximizing high-quality education, research, and clinical assets, said Kaori Iida, Director of the Center for Medical Innovation at Science Tokyo. “We are very pleased to have concluded partnership with Astellas regarding a strategic partnership with Astellas. Through this collaboration, we expect to strengthen the drug discovery ecosystem in the GTB and Tsukuba areas, the Kashiwa-no-ha area, and the Hongo, Ochanomizu and Tokyo Station areas, ultimately accelerating the research and development of innovative drug discovery.”

“We are committed to contributing to the development of Japan’s life sciences ecosystem through open innovation activities, said Hide Goto, Head, Astellas Open Innovation Management. “We are pleased to have entered this strategic partnership with Science Tokyo, one of the key institutions in the Hongo, Ochanomizu and Tokyo Station areas. Through this partnership, we look forward to further energizing the drug discovery ecosystem in the GTB and Tsukuba areas, the Kashiwa-no-ha area, and the Hongo, Ochanomizu and Tokyo Station areas, accelerating the creation of innovative healthcare solutions.”

tip
“tip” is a community that fosters collaboration among academia, companies from various industries, startups, ventures, and government agencies in an environment close to university research, education, and medical settings. It aims to realize better healthcare and promote public health, leading to innovations in the medical and healthcare fields.

SakuLab™-Tsukuba
“SakuLab™-Tsukuba” is an open innovation hub that accepts innovators from external research institutions, including startups and universities. It is equipped with ready-to-use experimental facilities for biological and chemical research. In addition, “SakuLab-Tsukuba” provides lab residents access to Astellas researchers and expertise.

Please refer to the following links for more information on Science Tokyo and tip.
Science Tokyo