Takeda's newly-formed Axcelead now operational

Japan’s largest drugmaker Takeda Pharmaceutical (TYO: 4502) has announced the start of operations at Axcelead Drug Discovery Partners, the receiving company to which Takeda transferred a part of its research business, announced on May 15, 2017.

Axcelead aims to bridge basic and applied clinical research, from exploratory research to optimizing candidate compounds. The newly-formed company leverages Takeda’s extensive drug discovery knowledge and its state-of-the-art research facility to offer high-value drug discovery services for a broad range of diseases and unmet medical needs. Axcelead will support not only the Takeda group businesses but also other life-science organizations such as other pharmaceutical companies, bio-technology ventures, and public and academic research institutions both within and outside Japan as part of its comprehensive integrated drug discovery services and consultation for the Shonan Health Innovation Park (SHIP) at Takeda’s Shonan Research Center.

Yoshinori Ikeura, president of Axcelead, says “I’m very excited for the role I believe Axcelead will play in drug discovery. Axcelead has the capability to be a valuable partner by providing comprehensive and integrated expertise in areas like screening, synthesis, pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, and safety assessment. We are also able to draw on the scientific powerhouse of our personnel, who have gained extensive technical skills, knowledge, and experience through their work at Takeda. My vision is for our business to go beyond contracted research and provide optimized solutions that address each customers’ unique needs. Every one of our staff is looking forward to the challenge of being the best partner for innovation-minded organizations and unlocking new approaches in drug discovery and healthcare.”