Takeda, Astellas Pharma and Sumitomo Mitsui form early drug discovery JV

Ciconia Bioventures announced its establishment as a joint venture, or JV, company based on a master agreement signed on April 22 by Takeda Pharmaceutical (TAK), Astellas Pharma (ALPMY), and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMFG). Ciconia covers the entire process from early drug discovery research to establishment of biotech startups, with the aim of translating innovative technologies and drug discovery programs originating in Japan into clinical applications.