Mitsubishi Research Institute and Astellas Forge Collaborative Initiative to Support Japanese Drug Discovery Startups and Boost Global Innovation
Mitsubishi Research Institute, Inc. (MRI) and Astellas Pharma Inc. (Astellas) today announced a significant new collaboration aimed at strengthening Japan’s role as a global hub for innovative drug discovery and fostering the growth of its biotechnology startups. The two companies have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to provide comprehensive support and resources to Japanese drug-discovery startups, helping them bring their innovations from laboratory benches toward eventual global delivery of new medicines.
This forward-thinking collaboration reflects a growing recognition within both industry and government that Japanese biotechnology companies have tremendous scientific prowess, but frequently face significant barriers when attempting to translate their innovations into commercial applications. The new agreement is designed to address these bottlenecks by offering tailored support, mentoring, networking, and access to state-of-the-art facilities — all with the ultimate aim of strengthening Japan’s ability to produce globally competitive, innovative therapeutics.
MEDISO Initiative at the Heart of Support
The collaboration falls under the framework of programs implemented by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare’s Medical Innovation Support Office (MEDISO). The main objective of MEDISO is to aid Japanese drug-discovery ventures in navigating the complex path toward commercial readiness. This includes assistance in intellectual property strategy, securing funding, developing business plans, and preparing for eventual collaboration with large pharmaceutical companies or investors. Mitsubishi Research Institute has been entrusted by the Japanese government to oversee MEDISO’s operations since 2018 — a role that involves guiding hundreds of biotechnology innovators toward greater commercial maturity.
“When it comes to turning scientific innovations into products that make a real-world health impact, drug-discovery startups frequently need external expertise, resources, and strong industry connections — especially during their earliest phases of development,” said Hirofumi Suzuki, Executive Officer and General Manager of the Public Innovation Unit at Mitsubishi Research Institute. “Through this collaboration with Astellas, we aim to enable promising Japanese biotechnology companies to accelerate their path toward commercial application by strengthening their international competitiveness.”
The new collaboration further strengthens the range of services offered through MEDISO by adding a powerful industry perspective alongside policy and business-development expertise.
A Collaborative Model That Leverages Complementary Strengths
One of the most significant aspects of this collaboration is its ability to bring together the respective strengths of both Mitsubishi Research Institute and Astellas. MRI brings extensive experience from its MEDISO operations — the institution has supported more than 1,200 startups and academic ventures to date — alongside its strong policy expertise and extensive network within the Japanese innovation ecosystem.
Astellas, meanwhile, contributes its deep knowledge of drug discovery and extensive industry network, alongside physical facilities that enable innovative companies to pursue their research under the guidance of veteran industry experts. This includes its SakuLab™-Tsukuba facilities, which are located directly within the Astellas Tsukuba Research Center — a renowned base for biotechnology innovation.
Startups that become participants in this new acceleration program will be able to reside at SakuLab™-Tsukuba, collaborate alongside their peers, and tap into the expertise and guidance offered by Astellas’ team of drug-development experts. This includes support from specialized chemists, biologists, toxicologists, and other scientific and business-development professionals who can aid them in designing their products, navigating the complex process toward clinical trials, securing intellectual property, and preparing for eventual market authorization.
The opportunity for participating companies to collaborate in this dynamic ecosystem alongside their peers and with Astellas’ own team promises to foster knowledge-sharing, spark innovative collaborations, and aid in de-risking their programs — a crucial consideration for small companies that frequently struggle to move forward due to limited resources and expertise.
Comments from Astellas’ Chief Research & Development Officer
Tadaaki Taniguchi, M.D, Ph.D, Chief Research & Development Officer (CRDO) at Astellas Pharma, shared his enthusiasm for the collaboration. “We are very pleased to agree on a Memorandum of Understanding with Mitsubishi Research Institute. Astellas is passionate about growing and developing innovative ideas and technologies in collaboration with academia, startups, and other innovators by applying the knowledge and experience we have gained through our extensive research and our vast, well-established network,” said Dr. Taniguchi.
He further explained, “We believe this collaboration will enable Japanese biotechnology companies to accelerate their drug discovery programs, ultimately delivering new medicines faster and more efficiently. Our aim is not just to bring forward our own innovations but to foster a thriving ecosystem where many players contribute toward improving human health globally.”
Aligning with National Policy and Global Innovation Goals
This new collaborative effort resonates strongly with the Japanese government’s policy framework, particularly its Basic Policy on Economic and Fiscal Management and Reform 2024. This policy emphasizes strengthening the country’s domestic research-and-development ecosystem while encouraging the participation of both venture capital and large, established companies in a collaborative framework. The ultimate objective is to foster innovation, drive enterprise growth, and enable Japanese companies to successfully bring their innovations to a global market.
This collaboration directly contributes toward these policy goals by helping Japanese biotechnology innovators connect with industry expertise and resources. In turn, this prepares them to pursue financial investment, form strong partnerships, and successfully commercialize their innovations — delivering greater health benefits to patients in Japan and around the world.
Looking forward, MEDISO plans to collaborate not just with Japanese stakeholders but also with international business partners and investors. This approach aims to aid Japanese drug-discovery companies in securing funding and forming strategic relationships that enable their innovations to reach a truly global market. The ultimate objective is for Japanese biotechnology companies to contribute to the pool of new medicines that can improve health care outcomes across borders.
“The collaboration with Astellas is a significant step forward for the Japanese drug discovery ecosystem, and we are proud to contribute to this endeavor alongside our industry partners,” said Mr. Suzuki. “Together, we are poised to enable the delivery of innovative pharmaceuticals from Japanese innovators to patients not only in Japan but across the globe.”
