From the viewpoint of industry, Dr. Junichi Koga, Senior Executive Officer and Head of R&D Division of Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., spoke of “Expectation on Academic Research & Collaboration for Innovative Drug Development.”

Daiichi Sankyo originates from two drug companies with more than 100 years of history. Like other major pharmaceuticals, it has shifted to focus on a global market. Expansion into overseas markets means pharmaceutical companies must be involved in more specific medical fields, such as oncology. Previously, Daiichi Sankyo had specialized in quality low-molecular compounds, but changed its focus to biologics by establishing an in-house facility to promote biological research in 2012. This conversion to R&D was led by younger researchers and contributed to substantial changes in the company’s mind to accept new things and ideas. The company now expects to develop the ‘next wave’ of drugs using antibody-drug conjugates, peptides, and nucleic acids.
Recognizing the value of basic science, Daiichi Sankyo has promoted ‘open innovation.’ The first example is participation in a bio consortium established by the Japan Ministry of Economics, Technology and Industry (METI) for the advancement of technologies to develop biologics. This framework was succeeded by the Manufacturing Technology Association of Biologics, which includes several academic associations and universities and promotes interactions between academia and pharmaceuticals.

In addition, Daiichi Sankyo has encouraged open innovation by establishing a venture with Innovation Network Corporation of Japan (INCJ). This venture, Orphan Disease Treatment Institute (ODTI), is developing new drugs for Duchenne muscular dystrophy in collaboration with Prof. Masafumi Matsuo (Kobe Gakuin University). A first-in-human phase 1/2 clinical study is currently ongoing. Further, Daiichi Sankyo has been involved in several open-innovation projects that develop next-generation drugs, such as oncolytic viruses, anti-ERK2 antibodies, and nucleic acid-based drugs.

Daiichi Sankyo established a funding mechanism named as TaNeDS for drug discovery. TaNeDS does not offer big funding, but it is open to young researchers in a variety of fields and provides opportunities to work with experienced researchers at Daiichi Sankyo. Through this activity, researchers at Daiichi Sankyo are inspired by the ideas of young scientists.

In conclusion, Dr. Koga stressed interactions between the basic and applied sciences. “Applied science is based on basic science; however, basic science can be stimulated by applied science” through “reverse translation,” he said.