Press Releases

Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Osaka, Japan; President, Representative Director, Gyo Sagara; “ONO”) announced that it has entered sponsorship agreements with LabCentral (Cambridge, MA, U.S.) and MBC BioLabs (San Francisco, CA, U.S.), both of which are private, non-profit organizations supporting the development of biotech startup companies.

LabCentral and MBC BioLabs are based in Cambridge and the San Francisco Bay area, respectively, which are major global hubs for many pharmaceutical and biotech companies around the world. They provide biotech startups with research and office spaces, in order to promote R&D and business, as well as know-how on corporate management and drug discovery technologies. These facilities are equipped with shared research equipment and dedicated space that are essential to conduct various biological experiments. Companies moving into the facilities have the advantage of being able to utilize these facilities as soon as they jump in, and devote themselves to their R&D.

This sponsorship will allow ONO to early access the most updated information of the biotech startups and others residing in LabCentral and MBC BioLabs facilities in the major hubs in the U.S. Such information gathered through the sponsorship may advance ONO’s open innovation and further promote R&D in our priority areas. The sponsorship agreements with both organizations are valid for 3 years each. In addition to ONO’s research institutes in Japan, our two U.S. affiliates, Ono Pharma USA, Inc. and Ono Venture Investment, Inc. will also be involved in this activity.

"ONO believes that by focusing on our R&D and working closely with the organizations that support the development of biotech startup companies, we can create new ideas and fertile environments where companies can develop and grow, and activate early drug discovery research activities”, Toichi Takino, Executive Officer and Executive Director of Discovery & Research of ONO stated. “Both LabCentral and MBC BioLabs have a proven model to identify and accelerate high-profile startups so we look forward to becoming a key part of their ecosystems and helping to develop the next generation of biotech and life science companies."

"Kendall Square in Cambridge remains the world’s epicenter of entrepreneurial ideas, innovation, collaboration and scientific discoveries in biotech and life sciences“, said Johannes Fruehauf, Co-founder and President, LabCentral. “LabCentral not only provides early-stage startups access to this ecosystem, but also accelerates their growth through our operating model, unique culture and the support and engagement of our sponsors, so we are excited to have ONO joins as our newest sponsor."

"Our focus is on providing the right mix of tools, capabilities and leadership to enable entrepreneurial scientists to flourish”, said Douglas Crawford, MBC BioLabs General Manager. “By combining ONO's expertise with our startup accelerator, we are excited to provide an environment for startup companies with innovative ideas to grow and accelerate their future potential."