Japan-based University of Tsukuba and Astellas Pharma have signed a letter of confirmation regarding a strategic partnership to accelerate the digitalisation of the drug discovery research field, as well as the development of the life science ecosystem in Tsukuba and Kashiwa-no-ha, and to further accelerate innovative drug discovery research and development.

Under this agreement, the two parties will exchange information on and discuss promotion of drug discovery and other research, and creation of new startups through industry-academia collaboration between the two parties; utilisation of cutting-edge research equipment, drug discovery-related data and research seeds mutually owned by the two parties; implementation of discussions and seminars to accelerate and develop collaborative research already conducted by the two parties; and promotion of drug discovery research and creation of new startups through exchange and communication with third-party venture company innovators in residence at SakuLab™-Tsukuba.

Based on this agreement, the University of Tsukuba will establish an office in Astellas' SakuLab-Tsukuba for the Tsukuba Digital-Bio International Center, where they are participating as a lead organisation. The center will provide an environment where researchers from different fields including researchers specialising in medicine, biotechnology, and the artificial intelligence (AI)/digital analytics field from the University of Tsukuba and Astellas' researchers specialising in drug discovery can discuss freely and energetically, aiming to create a place for innovative and active co-creative research through the fusion of different fields.