California, USA (CU)_ Astellas Venture Management LLC, a wholly-owned venture capital subsidiary of Astellas Pharma Inc., and Mission Bay Capital BioLabs, a life-science incubator, are partnering for the third time on the “Future Innovator Prize”, which was previously called Astellas Golden Ticket. The Golden Ticket Competition, which builds on the success of the inaugural competition held in 2019, provides one year of priority use of MBC BioLabs’ modern lab facility as well as access to Astellas’ research and development (R&D) capabilities and business leaders, to entrepreneurial researchers and emerging biotechnology start-ups.
AVM and MBC BioLabs are extending their collaboration to help scientists and start-up enterprises expedite their unique treatment programs, modalities, or platforms, with a shared goal to find and develop innovative research for the possible future benefit of patients worldwide.
Maruyama, President of AVM, expressed optimism over the collaboration. He said, “This is the third time we have worked with MBC BioLabs to identify emerging companies that can help us achieve and realize our VISION of turning innovative science into VALUE for patients. The combination of Astellas’ R&D expertise and the capabilities of MBC BioLabs allow start-ups to transform exciting ideas into real businesses that could bring value and hope to patients around the world.”
Douglas Crawford, MBC BioLabs General Manager, expressed delight over the partnership. He said, “We are delighted to continue our partnership with Astellas. The outstanding work of the previous winners of these Future Innovator Prize competitions is testament to what can be achieved by pairing Astellas’ ongoing support, advice and expertise with our laboratory accelerator. I’m very excited about what the next collaboration will bring.” The Golden Ticket Competition is open to entrepreneurial scientists, rising life science, and biotechnology start-ups until November 1, 2021.
