Eisai, the Tokyo-based global pharmaceutical powerhouse, is the latest world leader in its field to provide financial and mentoring support for the Accelerate@Babraham initiative in Cambridge.

The Japanese business joins AstraZeneca, LifeArc and Mundipharma in backing the continued development of the fast-growing bio-incubator programme at the Babraham Research Campus.

Babraham says the additional funding will further enhance the ability of the campus to drive innovation in early science concepts and nurture new life science companies within the Cambridge cluster.

First launched in 2018, the Accelerate@Babraham initiative supports ambitious early stage life science ventures by giving access to appropriate short-term open access laboratory and office space, facilitating interaction with the academic community at the Babraham Institute and providing access to the campus’ global network, including mentoring and business support.

Derek Jones, CEO, Babraham Bioscience Technologies, which develops and manages the campus said: “Accelerate@Babraham doesn’t just focus on enabling access to laboratory facilities.

“We also match-make our startups with mentors who have experience specific to their needs and aspirations, in addition to curating a broad programme of events and activities specifically designed to progress ideas, challenge thinking and motivate these young entrepreneurs to strive for the next milestone in the development of their science. 

“As we enter our third year we have learnt much along the way and have the evidence to prove that our approach realises results.

“Our strategic partners, including Eisai, share our enthusiasm and drive to continue to evolve and improve the Accelerate@Babraham initiative year on year, with our collective aim being to support and encourage the next generation of talented individuals within the life sciences sector to succeed.”

Eisai is committed to delivering innovative products in various therapeutic areas with high unmet medical needs, including oncology and neurology.  Its work prioritises patients and their families through its focus to continually improve the benefits that healthcare can provide. 

As a global pharmaceutical company, its mission extends to patients around the world through investment and participation in partnership-based initiatives to improve access to medicines in developing and emerging countries. 

Kazumasa Nagayama, VP and chief strategy officer for Eisai Corporation said: “Eisai is delighted to be supporting Accelerate@Babraham and in so doing help to nurture the next generation of medicinal innovators.

“We believe that through supporting the vibrant UK innovation ecosystem, such as is being fostered by the Accelerate@Babraham initiative, we can accelerate the delivery of next-generation medicines to patients with unmet needs.

“It is a philosophy which we further support through our venture investment business. Eisai will support Accelerate@Babraham from our Hatfield Research Laboratories and this association will complement our existing External Innovation collaborative working model.”

A key activity within the Accelerate@Babraham initiative is the annual StartUP@Babraham competition. The competition supports ideas and/or companies that are pre-seed to seed stage (below £500k investment), the core objective of which is to help create new jobs, technology and therapies and to maximise the impact of the Cambridge life science cluster, both nationally and internationally.

Via a rigorous and competitive application and selection process, up to five early stage life sciences enterprises are selected to take part in the 5-month bio-entrepreneurial programme.

Applications for the third StartUP@Babraham competition opened on March 1; the programme itself will start in September.  Given the current environment due to COVID-19 the application deadline has been extended to June 17. 

Shortlisted applicants will be notified by July 1 and will be invited to pitch to a judging panel of business leaders via video or conference call in mid-July. Having spoken to all shortlisted applicants the judges will choose up to five winning finalists to be accepted onto the programme. 

To find out more and to apply visit: https://www.babraham.com/accelerate-babraham/accelerate-babraham-competition-2020/