Astellas and YASKAWA Join Forces to Revolutionize Cell Therapy Manufacturing

Astellas Pharma Inc. and YASKAWA Electric Corporation have agreed to establish a joint venture focused on cell therapy manufacturing, aiming to enhance efficiency, reproducibility, and innovation in the field. The collaboration, announced on May 21, 2024, will combine Astellas' expertise in cell therapy with YASKAWA's advanced robotics technology to create an innovative cell therapy ecosystem.

The complexity of product manufacturing is a significant challenge in commercializing cell therapy, requiring substantial investments in developing complex manufacturing processes, technology transfer, and establishing large-scale manufacturing facilities. This makes it difficult for startups and academia to commercialize cell therapy independently. However, the partnership between Astellas and YASKAWA seeks to address these challenges by developing a platform that seamlessly links early-stage research to commercialization, utilizing the state-of-the-art humanoid robot "Maholo."



The humanoid robot "Maholo," developed by YASKAWA's subsidiary, the Robotic Biology Institute, is a dual-arm robot designed for biological applications. Astellas has been using Maholo since the end of 2017 to advance drug discovery and manufacturing technology research in cell therapy. By integrating Maholo into the manufacturing process, the joint venture aims to achieve high-quality product manufacturing and shorten the R&D period of cell therapy, enabling the seamless linking of early-stage research to commercialization.

Moreover, the companies plan to offer the use of the platform to startups and academic institutions, fostering an advanced cell therapy ecosystem that enables the discovery and nurturing of innovation while potentially reducing investment in investigational drug manufacturing based on the Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Act. Astellas will provide cell manufacturing technology, clinical development, and regulatory insights related to cell therapy, while YASKAWA will contribute state-of-the-art robotics and factory automation technologies.

The partnership between Astellas and YASKAWA is expected to have a significant impact on the cell therapy industry, addressing key challenges in transferring technology from basic research to manufacturing or commercial production in line with GMP. By leveraging the humanoid robot "Maholo," the joint venture aims to improve the stability and reproducibility of production, facilitate technology transfer, and reduce the large and expensive manufacturing-related investments required for commercialization.

In an interview, Naoki Okamura, President and CEO of Astellas Pharma Inc., stated, "With this potential partnership, Astellas is committed to further contributing to startups and academia working on cell therapy to deliver cutting-edge cell therapy products with the potential to be innovative treatments to patients."

The establishment of the joint venture is subject to certain closing conditions, including receipt of required regulatory approvals. The closing and establishment of the joint venture company are tentatively planned for September 2025. As the partnership progresses, investors and industry professionals should keep a close eye on the developments, as the collaboration between Astellas and YASKAWA has the potential to revolutionize the cell therapy manufacturing landscape.