Astellas and YASKAWA Agree to Establish a Joint Venture Focused on Cell Therapy Manufacturing
Astellas Pharma (ALPMY) and YASKAWA Electric have signed a definitive agreement to establish a joint venture focused on developing a cell therapy manufacturing platform using YASKAWA's dual-arm robot 'Maholo'. The collaboration aims to address key challenges in cell therapy commercialization, particularly regarding manufacturing accuracy and reproducibility.
The joint venture will combine Astellas' expertise in cell therapy R&D and manufacturing with YASKAWA's robotic technology. The platform will be made accessible to startups and academic institutions to foster innovation in cell therapy development. The initiative addresses industry-wide challenges including the need for skilled workforce and complex technology transfer requirements.
The establishment of the joint venture, following a May 2024 memorandum of agreement, is subject to regulatory approvals and other closing conditions.
Astellas Pharma (ALPMY) e YASKAWA Electric hanno firmato un accordo definitivo per stabilire una joint venture focalizzata sullo sviluppo di una piattaforma di produzione di terapie cellulari utilizzando il robot a braccio duale 'Maholo' di YASKAWA. La collaborazione mira a affrontare le principali sfide nella commercializzazione delle terapie cellulari, in particolare riguardo alla precisione e alla riproducibilità nella produzione.
La joint venture unirà l'esperienza di Astellas nella ricerca e sviluppo e nella produzione di terapie cellulari con la tecnologia robotica di YASKAWA. La piattaforma sarà resa accessibile a startup e istituzioni accademiche per promuovere l'innovazione nello sviluppo delle terapie cellulari. L'iniziativa affronta le sfide del settore, inclusa la necessità di una forza lavoro qualificata e i complessi requisiti di trasferimento tecnologico.
La creazione della joint venture, a seguito di un memorandum d'intesa di maggio 2024, è soggetta ad approvazioni normative e ad altre condizioni di chiusura.
Astellas Pharma (ALPMY) y YASKAWA Electric han firmado un acuerdo definitivo para establecer una empresa conjunta centrada en el desarrollo de una plataforma de fabricación de terapia celular utilizando el robot de doble brazo 'Maholo' de YASKAWA. La colaboración tiene como objetivo abordar los principales desafíos en la comercialización de terapias celulares, particularmente en lo que respecta a la precisión y la reproducibilidad en la fabricación.
La empresa conjunta combinará la experiencia de Astellas en investigación y desarrollo y fabricación de terapias celulares con la tecnología robótica de YASKAWA. La plataforma estará disponible para startups e instituciones académicas para fomentar la innovación en el desarrollo de terapias celulares. La iniciativa aborda los desafíos del sector, incluida la necesidad de una fuerza laboral cualificada y los complejos requisitos de transferencia de tecnología.
La creación de la empresa conjunta, tras un memorando de acuerdo de mayo de 2024, está sujeta a aprobaciones regulatorias y otras condiciones de cierre.
아스텔라스 제약 (ALPMY)와 야스카와 전기는 '마홀로'라는 이중 팔 로봇을 이용한 세포 치료 제조 플랫폼 개발에 중점을 둔 합작 투자 설립을 위한 최종 계약을 체결했습니다. 이번 협업은 세포 치료 상용화 과정에서의 주요 과제, 특히 제조의 정확성과 재현성 문제를 해결하는 것을 목표로 하고 있습니다.
합작 투자는 아스텔라스의 세포 치료 연구개발 및 제조 전문성과 야스카와의 로봇 기술을 결합합니다. 이 플랫폼은 스타트업 및 학술 기관에 제공되어 세포 치료 개발의 혁신을 촉진할 것입니다. 이 이니셔티브는 숙련된 인력의 필요성과 복잡한 기술 이전 요구 사항을 포함한 산업 전반의 과제를 다루고 있습니다.
2024년 5월의 양해각서에 따라 합작 투자 설립은 규제 승인 및 기타 마감 조건에 따라 진행됩니다.
Astellas Pharma (ALPMY) et YASKAWA Electric ont signé un accord définitif pour établir une coentreprise axée sur le développement d'une plateforme de fabrication de thérapies cellulaires utilisant le robot à double bras 'Maholo' de YASKAWA. La collaboration vise à relever les principaux défis de la commercialisation des thérapies cellulaires, notamment en ce qui concerne la précision et la reproductibilité de la fabrication.
La coentreprise combinera l'expertise d'Astellas en recherche et développement et en fabrication de thérapies cellulaires avec la technologie robotique de YASKAWA. La plateforme sera accessible aux startups et aux institutions académiques pour favoriser l'innovation dans le développement des thérapies cellulaires. L'initiative répond à des défis sectoriels, y compris le besoin de main-d'œuvre qualifiée et des exigences complexes en matière de transfert de technologie.
La création de la coentreprise, suite à un protocole d'accord de mai 2024, est soumise à des approbations réglementaires et à d'autres conditions de clôture.
Astellas Pharma (ALPMY) und YASKAWA Electric haben eine endgültige Vereinbarung zur Gründung eines Joint Ventures unterzeichnet, das sich auf die Entwicklung einer Plattform zur Herstellung von Zelltherapien unter Verwendung des Dual-Arm-Roboters 'Maholo' von YASKAWA konzentriert. Die Zusammenarbeit zielt darauf ab, die wesentlichen Herausforderungen bei der Kommerzialisierung von Zelltherapien anzugehen, insbesondere in Bezug auf die Herstellungsgenauigkeit und Reproduzierbarkeit.
Das Joint Venture wird das Fachwissen von Astellas in der Forschung und Entwicklung sowie der Herstellung von Zelltherapien mit der Robotertechnologie von YASKAWA kombinieren. Die Plattform wird Start-ups und akademischen Institutionen zugänglich gemacht, um Innovationen in der Entwicklung von Zelltherapien zu fördern. Die Initiative geht auf branchenweite Herausforderungen ein, einschließlich des Bedarfs an qualifizierten Arbeitskräften und komplexen Anforderungen an den Technologietransfer.
Die Gründung des Joint Ventures, die auf einem Memorandum of Understanding vom Mai 2024 basiert, unterliegt den Genehmigungen durch die Aufsichtsbehörden und anderen Abschlussbedingungen.
- Strategic expansion into automated cell therapy manufacturing
- Access to YASKAWA's proven Maholo robot technology
- Potential revenue stream from platform access fees from startups and academia
- Addresses critical industry bottlenecks in manufacturing
- Joint venture subject to regulatory approval uncertainty
- Significant investment required for platform development
- Complex technology integration risks
- Competition from existing cell therapy manufacturing solutions
- Joint venture will aim to develop a cell therapy manufacturing platform through robotics and will offer access to startups and academic institutions -
In the pharmaceutical industry, the commercialization of cell therapy faces many challenges stemming from the complex nature of the manufacturing process, in particular, related to the accuracy and reproducibility of cell manufacturing. Furthermore, the need for a skilled workforce, coupled with the time and cost investments required for technology transfer to manufacturing facilities, presents additional hurdles. Based on the memorandum of agreement signed in May, 2024, Astellas and YASKAWA have been advancing discussions toward establishing a joint venture to leverage their mutual strengths and accelerate efforts to address these challenges.
The planned joint venture will leverage Astellas' expertise in R&D and manufacturing for cell therapy and the dual arm robot "Maholo," developed by YASKAWA's subsidiary, Robotic Biology Institute. The closing and establishment of the joint venture company are subject to certain closing conditions, including receipt of required regulatory approvals.
Joint Venture Company: Overview
Name | To be determined |
Capital | |
Capital Structure | Astellas |
Establishment （tentative） | September 2025 |
Business | Develop a cell therapy product manufacturing platform and offer access to startups and academic institutions.
1. Explore a manufacturing process with high precision and reproducibility using 'Maholo' and optimize the digitized manufacturing process with AI 2. Transfer the digitalized manufacturing process to 'Maholo' at other manufacturing facilities via one-click* transfer and develop a cell manufacturing platform that meets GMP conditions 3. Develop manufacturing processes for cell therapy product candidates of partners, such as academia and startups, as well as manufacture investigational drugs in GMP facilities |
* GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice): |
A standard for ensuring the safety and quality of pharmaceuticalproduct manufacturing |
* One Click Transfer: |
Rapid transfer of established manufacturing process to facilities without hands-on training of workers |
Through the establishment of a joint venture and the development of a cell therapy manufacturing platform, Astellas is committed to addressing the challenges of commercializing cell therapy and supporting academia and startup companies in implementing innovative cell therapies. By integrating advanced technologies into its cell therapy expertise, Astellas aims to develop potentially transformative cell therapy for patients with limited or no treatment options. Please visit this for more details.
YASKAWA has provided automation solutions for medical testing processes, including cancer genome diagnostics, iPS cell culture, and PCR testing, through delivering "Maholo." With the establishment of a joint venture, YASKAWA aims to expand the use cases of robots in the field of cell therapy beyond the existing life science field.
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.
Astellas Cautionary Notes
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
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