'Future Innovator Prize' launched for scientific entrepreneurs and emerging biotechnology start-ups

Astellas Pharma Inc, Astellas Venture Management LLC (AVM), a wholly owned venture capital subsidiary of Astellas Pharma Inc, and We Are Pioneer Group (WAPG), the UK’s largest ecosystem provider for science and innovation businesses, have announced a new collaborative sponsorship and first of its kind initiative to support early-stage science ventures.

The UK’s first “Future Innovator Prize” has been designed to support entrepreneurial scientists, emerging life science companies and biotechnology start-ups that are developing pioneering scientific research or building novel therapeutic programmes, modalities or programmes.

The two winners will receive one year’s free space within one of four WAPG state-of-the-art locations, along with all resident benefits. They will also gain access to Astellas’ R&D capabilities, business leaders, mentors and global network of partner academic institutes and biotechnology companies.

The collaborative sponsorship between Astellas Venture Management and WAPG is the first of its type in the UK, and a flagship initiative for the newly founded WAPG following the acquisition of BioCity Group in April 2021. Astellas Venture Management’s sponsorship of the Future Innovator Prize follows its investment in leading innovators, including Cambridge-based Bicycle Therapeutics, Crescendo Biologics, NeoPhore, PhoreMost and Mogrify.   

With a shared commitment to discovering and advancing innovative science for the potential future benefit of patients worldwide, Astellas Venture Management and WAPG’s Future Innovator Prize will directly support scientists and early-stage companies in accelerating their goals and ambitions.

"We are thrilled to launch the Future Innovator Prize to scientists and innovators in the UK,” said Kazunori Maruyama, PhD, President, Astellas Venture Management. “We look forward to supporting standout innovators on their journey to discovering and advancing innovative science for the potential future benefit of patients worldwide.”

“This is a truly unique opportunity for us to further support life-science innovation in the UK,” added Ayokunmi Ajetunmobi, venture development manager at We Are Pioneer Group.

“We are the largest innovation ecosystem for the UK’s science and technology industries and the winners of the Future Innovator Prize will find themselves at the heart of this community. In addition to free accommodation at one of our leading locations, entrepreneurs will gain access to the resources, specialist expertise and opportunities to accelerate pioneering ideas into successful businesses that scale and grow.”  

Apply here
 

About the Future Innovator Prize

Astellas is offering up to two Future Innovator Prizes for a pioneering science and technology platform  that would be a game-changing approach in Astellas’ interest areas including Blindness & Regeneration,  Mitochondria Biology, Genetic Regulation, Immuno-Oncology, Cell Therapy, and other areas.

Companies awarded an Astellas Future Innovator Prize will gain one year's priority admission or renewal to one of four We Are Pioneer Group’s state-of-the-art locations, as well as access to Astellas' R&D scientists and leaders.  

The deadline for application submissions is December 6th 2021 with the final pitch and selection of winners taking place in March 2022.

Entrepreneurial scientists, emerging life-science or biotech start-ups are encouraged to apply and can learn more about the opportunity at https://astellasfutureinnovator.com/

The decision to award any Future Innovator Prize, and the assessments underlying such decision, are solely the judgment of Astellas and We Are Pioneer Group and are not subject to objection or appeal.



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