As a research facility for cutting-edge spatial information analysis close to Japan's leading academic academia including the National Cancer Center
Please tell us about your business and research.
Mr. Nakao, Astellas Pharma Inc.: We are a Japanese pharmaceutical company formed by the merger of Yamanouchi Pharmaceutical and Fujisawa Pharmaceutical in 2005. Our main business is research, development, manufacturing, and sales of ethical drugs, and we operate in more than 70 countries and regions around the world.
Our research activities focus on five key areas: gene therapy, ophthalmology, mitochondrial disease, target protein degradation guidance (protein degrator), and cancer immunity. Among them, we established "TME iLab" as a new base for cancer immune research.
It seems that TME iLab is conducting cutting-edge research called "Spatial Information Analysis of Cancer Microenvironment", but what kind of analysis method is it?
Mr. Nakao, Astellas Pharma Inc.: There are many types of cells in tumor tissue that act directly or indirectly, such as immune cells that attack cancer cells and cells that interfere with the attack. In the past, the tumor tissue was crushed and characterized by single cell seq analysis of the contained cells.
On the other hand, spatial information analysis is a revolutionary method that considers tissues as a two-dimensional hierarchy, and even without crushing tissues, it is possible to analyze thousands of gene and protein expression information in each of the many cells present in tissues. We hope to analyze what cells are around cancer cells and what genes and proteins are expressed, to elucidate the characteristics of cancer microenvironment, identify new therapeutic target molecules, and identify biomarkers for drugs.
Clinical samples are essential for research, but it is large that the National Cancer Center is adjacent to each other.
Mr. Nakao, Astellas Pharma Inc.: That's right. In addition to providing clinical specimens, it is very positive for the detailed interpretation of pathological information and pathology tissue from the National Cancer Center to provide advice. At that time, if you are physically close, you can exchange faster and more frequently. That's one of the reasons why I decided to move in to this lab, and I feel that it was really good.
It seems to be useful for reverse translational research conducted in clinical trials of your pipeline.
Mr. Nakao, Astellas Pharma Inc.: That's right. We hope that we will be able to analyze what is going on in the tumor when the drug works for patients, or the mechanism when it does not work, and to estimate the possibility of using it with stratified biomarkers and other drugs.
How do you want to proceed with research in the future?
Mr. Nakao, Astellas Pharma Inc.: In addition to joint research with the National Cancer Center, we are looking for partners with innovative expertise and technologies in the field of cancer microenvironmental research. We would like to use the research equipment installed at this site to create a place where researchers inside and outside the company can exchange discussions. By combining it with Astellas Pharma Inc.'s drug discovery capabilities, we hope to accelerate research on cancer drugs and lead to the creation of innovative drugs.
When will it be fully operational as an open innovation base?
Mr. Nakao, Astellas Pharma Inc.: Currently, we are formulating rules for use by outsiders, and I think it will solidify in April 2024. If you are interested, please feel free to contact us. TME iLab (Kashiwa-no-ha) | Astellas Pharma Inc. (astellas.com)
We found an ideal external partner base in Kashiwa-no-ha.
What was the trigger and decisive factor for moving into Mitsui Link Lab Kashiwa-no-ha 1?
Mr. Nakao, Astellas Pharma Inc.: Basic science and medical technology have advanced, and more complex diseases and conditions that cannot be handled by conventional treatments are left behind, and various therapeutic modalities such as compounds, cells, and genes are increasing. It is difficult for a single pharmaceutical company to carry out all of these studies alone, and the importance of joint research in collaboration with external institutions is increasing.
We are currently conducting more than 100 joint research projects, but we were considering building a new base outside the Tsukuba Research Center in order to advance closer and faster in a physical location close to our partners. That was when I met this lab. The Kashiwa-no-ha area is centered on the National Cancer Center, which has long been connected to, and is close to leading Japanese medical facilities and academic facilities such as the Kashiwa Campus of the University of Tokyo, Chiba University, and the Kashiwa Center of the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology. Moreover, you can travel to and from our Tsukuba Research Center by one Tsukuba Express. Indeed, I thought we could build a new external collaboration base that we imagined.
You can meet and discuss with front-line researchers immediately, and the way of research is different.
What are the benefits of moving in?
Mr. Hanada, Astellas Pharma Inc.: The physical distance from the National Cancer Center is very close, so I often came here and talked about it. Even if it is difficult to tell on the phone, if you actually meet, the story will be settled immediately and you can improve it as soon as possible. The research has become much easier. In addition, I had the experience of starting a research institute from scratch. For example, carefully prepare the necessary equipment for the experiment to the smallest ones, or if there is something missing, consider a flexible response. Through this experience, I feel that the open mind and the spirit of challenge have increased. In the future, it will be useful when working on various research at TME iLab.
Mr. Suzuki, Astellas Pharma Inc.: Researchers at pharmaceutical companies are also said to have a venture mindset and entrepreneurial spirit from now on, and as a role play, the experience of opening a research institute here has been a great learning experience.
What is the status of interaction with other tenants?
Mr. Sato, Astellas Pharma Inc.: When there was a disaster drill for the entire facility, I had the opportunity to meet other tenants. As a result, various people, including academic teachers, recognized that we had moved in and became able to talk about it. I would like to increase the time to meet directly in this way.
There are tenants whose business domain is different from ours, but depending on our approach and approach, we may be able to innovate together, and I think this is a facility that triggers such a spark. I would like to value that possibility, and I would be happy if we could be the starting point.
Mr. Hanada, Astellas Pharma Inc.: A seminar by a teacher at the National Cancer Research Center was held at a cafe below the floor, so I was glad to go casually. I would like to participate again.
What are your future goals and prospects for TME iLab?
Mr. Nakao, Astellas Pharma Inc.: We can study together close to leading experts in various fields, such as Dr. Suzuki, a leading expert in spatial information analysis research, and Dr. Shunpei Ishikawa (National Cancer Center Advanced Medical Development Center) in the field of clinical tumor pathology. I would like to use this as a great opportunity to boost my research.
In addition, since we have introduced the world's most advanced analytical equipment, we must first use it to create value for patients. I definitely want to achieve that.
In addition, I would like to integrate drug discovery with many academia and ventures. Link Lab Kashiwa-no-ha is scheduled for Phase 2 and the number of tenants will increase further, so we hope to expand our synergies with these people and lead to new drug discovery.