By Fineline Cube 
Japan-based Mitsubishi Research Institute, Inc. (MRI) and Astellas Pharma Inc. (TYO: 4503) announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to establish a collaborative support program for Japanese drug discovery startups. This initiative is part of the Medical Innovation Support Office (MEDISO) under Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, aiming to bridge the gap between advanced life science research and practical medical applications.
Collaboration Details
MRI, with its operational experience in MEDISO since 2018, will design tailored support programs to commercialize intellectual property. Astellas will provide access to its SakuLab-Tsukuba facilities at the Tsukuba Research Center, which include state-of-the-art laboratory space and office accommodations. Startups residing in SakuLab Tsukuba will benefit from expert consultations across Astellas’ therapeutic areas, networking opportunities, and accelerated drug discovery through collaborative ecosystems.-Fineline Info & Tech