As a research facility for cutting-edge spatial information analysis, close to the National Cancer Center and one of Japan's leading academia.
Could you tell me about your business and research?
Mr. Nakao, Astellas Pharma Inc.: Marubeni is a Japanese pharmaceutical company formed by the merger of Yamanouchi Pharmaceutical and Fujisawa Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. in 2005. Our main business is research, development, manufacturing, and sales of ethical drugs, and operates in more than 70 countries and regions around the world.
The research focuses on the five priority areas of gene therapy, ophthalmology, mitochondrial disease, targeted protein degradation (protein deglator), and cancer immunity. Among them, "TME iLab" was established as a new base for cancer immunity research.
TME iLab seems to be conducting cutting-edge research on "Spatial Information Analysis of Cancer Microenvironment". What kind of analysis method is it?
Mr. Nakao, Astellas Pharma Inc.: Oncology, there are many types of cells that act directly or indirectly, such as immune cells that attack cancer cells and cells that interfere with the attack. Previously, the tumor tissue was rubbed and characteristic analysis was performed by single-cell seq analysis of the contained cells.
On the other hand, spatial information analysis is a groundbreaking method that can analyze thousands of gene and protein expression information in each of the various cells present in the tissue without breaking the tissue. By analyzing what cells are present around cancer cells and what genes and proteins are expressed, we hope to elucidate the characteristics of cancer microenvironment, identifying new target molecules, and identifying biomarkers for drugs.
Clinical samples are essential for research, but the fact that the National Cancer Center is adjacent to each other.
Mr. Nakao, Astellas Pharma Inc.: That's right. In addition to providing clinical specimens, the professors of the National Cancer Center gives advice to the detailed interpretation of pathological information and pathologic image. If you are physically close at that time, you can interact faster and more frequently. That's one of the reasons I decided to move into this lab, and I feel it was really good.
It seems to be useful for reverse translational research conducted in clinical trials on your pipeline.
Mr. Nakao, Astellas Pharma Inc.: I see. By analyzing what is happening in the tumor when the drug is effective for the patient, or the mechanism when it does not work, we expect that various considerations can be made, such as estimating the possibility of combination with other drugs by analyzing what is happening in the tumor.
How would you like to pursue your research in the future?
Mr. Nakao, Astellas Pharma Inc.: In addition to joint research with the National Cancer Center, we are seeking a wide range of partners with innovative expertise and technology in the field of cancer microenvironment research. I would like to use the research equipment set up at this base to create a place where researchers inside and outside the company can exchange discussions. By integrating it with Astellas Pharma Inc.'s drug discovery capabilities, we hope to accelerate our research on cancer drugs and create innovative drugs.
When will it be fully operational as an open innovation base?
Mr. Nakao, Astellas Pharma Inc.: Currently, we are developing 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 alliance site in Kashiwa-no-ha.
Mitsui Link Lab Kashiwanoha 1 What was the reason and decisive factors for moving in?
Mr. Nakao, Astellas Pharma Inc.: Advances in basic science and medical technology have led to more complex diseases and conditions that cannot be dealt with by conventional treatments, and various therapeutic modalities such as compounds, cells, and genes, are increasing. It is difficult for a single pharmaceutical company to conduct all of these researches, and collaborative research with external organizations is becoming increasingly important.
We are currently conducting more than 100 joint research projects, but we were considering building a new base other than the Tsukuba Research Center in order to proceed even closer and faster in a location physically close to our partners. At that time, I came across this lab. The Kashiwa-no-ha area is close to the National Cancer Center, which has been connected for a long time, leading medical facilities such as the Kashiwa Campus of the University of Tokyo, Chiba University, and the Kashiwa Center of the Advanced Industrial Science and Technology Research Institute, centered on the National Cancer Research Center, which has been connected for a long time. Smart city construction is progressing. Moreover, we can go back and forth with our Tsukuba Research Center on a single Tsukuba Express. Indeed, I thought we would be able to build a new external collaboration base that we had imagined.
You can meet and discuss with front-line researchers and discuss different ways of research.
Could you tell me the benefits of moving in?
Mr. Hanada, Asterlas Pharmaceutical: The physical distance from the National Cancer Center is very close to the National Cancer Center, so I often feel free to come and talk. Even when it is difficult to tell by phone, if you actually meet, you can talk quickly and improve quickly. It has become much easier to proceed with research. In addition, I had the experience of setting up a research institute from scratch. For example, carefully prepare the necessary equipment for experiments, and if there is something missing, consider a flexible response. Through this experience, I feel that the open mind and challenge spirit have increased. In the future, it will be useful for working on various research projects at TME iLab.
Mr. Suzuki, Astellas Pharma Inc.: Researchers at pharmaceutical companies are said to be important in the future, and as a role play, the experience of establishing a laboratory here is a great study.
What is the status of interaction with other tenants?
Mr. Sato, Astellas Pharma Inc.: During the disaster drill for the entire facility, I had the opportunity to meet other tenants. As a result, I became able to talk to various people, including academia teachers, to realize that we had moved in and talk. In this way, I would like to increase the time I meet in person.
There are tenants whose business domains are different from us, but depending on the approach and way of thinking, we may be able to innovate together, and I think this is a facility that triggers such sparks. I would like to take care of that possibility, and I would be happy if we could become the starting point.
Mr. Hanada, Asterlas Pharmaceutical: A seminar by a teacher from the National Cancer Center was held in a cafe downstairs, and it was nice to be able to go casually. I would like to participate again next time.
What are your future goals and prospects for TME iLab?
Mr. Nakao, Astellas Pharma Inc.: Professor Suzuki, a leading expert in spatial information analysis research, and Dr. Shunhei Ishikawa in the field of clinical oncology pathology (National Cancer Center, Advanced Medical Development Center) in the field of clinical oncology pathology. I would like to use this as a great opportunity to boost my research.
In addition, we have introduced the world's most advanced analytical equipment, so we must first use it to create value for patients. I would definitely like to achieve it.
In addition, I would like to promote drug discovery by integrating many academia and ventures. Link Lab Kashiwa-no-ha is scheduled for the second phase building, and the number of tenants will increase further, so we would like to expand synergies with these people and lead to new drug discovery.