Astellas and MBC BioLabs Announce the Sixth Annual Astellas Future Innovator Prize

Rhea-AI Summary

Astellas Pharma and MBC BioLabs have announced their sixth annual Astellas Future Innovator Prize competition. The prize offers emerging biotech startups and entrepreneurial scientists one year of priority access to MBC BioLabs' advanced Bay Area facilities, along with access to Astellas' R&D capabilities and business expertise.

The initiative aims to accelerate early drug discovery and research efforts, supporting the development of novel therapeutic programs, modalities, and platforms. Last year's winners were Tipping Point Biosciences and Altay Therapeutics, selected for their potential to address unmet medical needs.

Interested participants have until April 1, 2025 to submit their non-confidential company presentations, including a one-page executive summary.

Positive

• Strategic investment in early-stage biotech innovation and R&D pipeline development
• Strengthening presence in biotech startup ecosystem

Negative

• None.

• Awardees win a year of access to a prestigious life-science incubator in San Francisco and to Astellas expertise to further their research
  
  
• Award helps biotech start-ups accelerate early drug discovery and research efforts

NORTHBROOK, Ill., Feb. 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Astellas Pharma U.S. Inc. (Head of Commercial: Mike Petroutsas, "Astellas"), and MBC BioLabs, a premier launchpad for early-stage life-science companies, today announced their collaboration on the Astellas Future Innovator Prize. The competition offers entrepreneurial scientists and emerging biotechnology start-ups one year's priority usage of MBC BioLabs' state-of-the-art Bay Area facilities and access to Astellas' research and development capabilities and business leaders.

With a shared commitment to discovering and advancing innovative science for patients worldwide, Astellas and MBC BioLabs are continuing to support scientists and early-stage companies to accelerate their novel therapeutic programs, modalities and platforms. Last year's winners were Tipping Point Biosciences and Altay Therapeutics. They were chosen for the potential of their innovations to deliver therapeutic advances for unmet medical needs.

Issei Tsukamoto, Head, Business Development at Astellas

"Through our strong collaboration with MBC BioLabs, and providing the right expertise, resources, and support, we aim to empower innovators to turn their vision into breakthroughs that can make a meaningful impact and improve patient lives worldwide."

Doug Crawford, General Manager at MBC BioLabs

"We are very proud to partner with Astellas in helping advise and support early-stage innovators. The Astellas Future Innovator Prize is a great example of this work as recipients can receive Astellas' assistance, guidance and expertise alongside our co-working labs."

Entrepreneurial scientists, emerging life-science and biotechnology start-ups have until April 1, 2025 to enter the Astellas Future Innovator Prize by submitting their non-confidential company presentation, including a one-page executive summary here.

About the Astellas Future Innovator Prize at MBC BioLabs

Astellas is offering up to two prizes for pioneering scientists with innovative research ideas that complement Astellas' areas of interest in alignment with its Focus Area Approach and pipeline, including Blindness & Beyond, Genetic Regulation, Immuno-Oncology, Cell Therapy, Targeted Protein Degradation, and other areas.

Companies awarded an Astellas Future Innovator Prize will gain a one-year priority admission or renewal to MBC BioLabs' state-of-the-art laboratory and access to Astellas' R&D scientists and business leaders. The competition is open from February 27 to April 1, 2025. Entrepreneurial scientists, emerging life-science and biotechnology start-ups should submit their non-confidential company presentation, including a one-page executive summary, here to be considered. The decision to award any Astellas Future Innovator Prize and the assessments underlying such decision, are solely within the judgment of Astellas and are not subject to any objection or appeal.

For further information, please visit the Astellas Future Innovator website where you can also find submission guidance for your non-confidential company presentation and executive summary.

About Astellas

Astellas is a global life sciences company committed to turning innovative science into VALUE for patients. We provide transformative therapies in disease areas that include oncology, ophthalmology, urology, immunology, and women's health. Through our research and development programs, we are pioneering new healthcare solutions for diseases with high unmet medical need. Learn more at www.astellas.com.

About MBC BioLabs

MBC BioLabs believes startups are the greatest force for positive change in the world. We offer flexible state-of-the-art lab space, facilities, access to millions of dollars in equipment and instrumentation, along with a vibrant community of like-minded individuals tackling some of the world's biggest problems. We are dedicated to helping biotech startups succeed – we enable awesome. We have helped launch and grow over 350 companies since opening in October of 2013, and together, MBC companies have initiated 176 clinical trials, introduced 71 products to market, and raised nearly $20 billion.

Cautionary Notes (Astellas)

In this press release, statements made with respect to current plans, estimates, strategies and beliefs and other statements that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements about the future performance of Astellas. These statements are based on management's current assumptions and beliefs in light of the information currently available to it and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to: (i) changes in general economic conditions and in laws and regulations, relating to pharmaceutical markets, (ii) currency exchange rate fluctuations, (iii) delays in new product launches, (iv) the inability of Astellas to market existing and new products effectively, (v) the inability of Astellas to continue to effectively research and develop products accepted by customers in highly competitive markets, and (vi) infringements of Astellas' intellectual property rights by third parties. Information about pharmaceutical products (including products currently in development) which is included in this press release is not intended to constitute an advertisement or medical advice.

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SOURCE Astellas Pharma Inc.

FAQ

What does the Astellas Future Innovator Prize 2025 (ALPMY) offer to winners?

Winners receive one year of priority access to MBC BioLabs' Bay Area facilities and Astellas' R&D capabilities and business expertise.

When is the submission deadline for the 2025 Astellas (ALPMY) Future Innovator Prize?

The submission deadline is April 1, 2025.

Who won the previous Astellas (ALPMY) Future Innovator Prize?

Tipping Point Biosciences and Altay Therapeutics were the previous winners.

How can startups apply for the 2025 Astellas (ALPMY) Future Innovator Prize?

Startups must submit a non-confidential company presentation with a one-page executive summary.