Hitachi, Axcelead to Develop Next-Gen Biopharmaceuticals

Hitachi and Axcelead have entered a partnership to develop solutions contributing to more efficient creation of next-generation biopharmaceuticals with digital technology and drug discovery. Hitachi has also made an investment into Drug Discovery Gateway Fund (DDG Fund) managed by Whiz Partners. Axcelead is the flagship portfolio company of DDG Fund.

Through this collaboration, Hitachi and Axcelead will develop solutions that support the more efficient creation of next-generation biopharmaceuticals with digital technology and drug discovery platforms, and also support entities that participate in this field. In addition, both companies will jointly promote the development of specialized human resources who are familiar with the development and manufacturing of next-generation biopharmaceuticals.

Hitachi, with over 100 years deep experience in manufacturing industry, has provided many companies with variety of solutions utilizing Lumada, which accelerates digital innovation by combining OT, IT, and products. In the field of regenerative medicine, Hitachi provides automated cell culture equipment for iPS cells, cell processing facilities, manufacturing execution systems, biosafety cabinets, etc., to pharmaceutical companies and research institutes according to customer needs. 

Axcelead is a drug discovery platform company group which took over the drug discovery platform business of Takeda and started Japan's first integrated drug discovery solution provider business in 2017. With the investments from DDG Fund, Axcelead sees the horizontal division of labor of pharmaceutical companies as a business opportunity, and has entered the mRNA therapeutics CDMO business, DDS technology development business, and drug development business.