Astellas Partners with Korea’s KISED to Support Drug-Discovery Startups

Astellas Pharma Inc. announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Korea Institute of Startup and Entrepreneurship Development (KISED), a government-backed agency under Korea’s Ministry of SMEs and Startups. The agreement marks a joint effort to support the growth and global expansion of Korean drug-discovery startups through the “Partnership with Global Companies Program.”

Under the terms of the MoU, KISED will oversee the program’s management and provide research funding. Astellas, in turn, will offer selected Korean biotech startups access to laboratory and office space at SakuLab™-Tsukuba, located within its Tsukuba Research Center in Japan. The program will also provide mentoring and collaboration opportunities with Astellas scientists and other resident startups.

Two Korean biotech firms—TCUBEiT Inc., a developer of next-generation T-cell immunotherapies, and AAVATAR Therapeutics, a specialist in AAV viral vector engineering—have already been selected to participate. Both companies will begin on-site collaboration at SakuLab™-Tsukuba.

Dr. Tadaaki Taniguchi, Chief Research & Development Officer at Astellas, emphasized the importance of global collaboration in innovation:
“In today’s rapidly evolving research landscape, diverse perspectives are essential. By working with Korean startups, we hope to turn bold ideas into value for patients around the world.”

KISED President Jong-pil Yoo also expressed optimism:
“This partnership is a key step toward helping Korean startups gain a foothold in the global pharmaceutical arena by giving them access to Astellas’ infrastructure and expertise.”

While the financial impact on Astellas for the fiscal year ending March 2026 is expected to be minimal, both parties view the partnership as a strategic investment in the future of biopharmaceutical innovation.