Company
Message from the CEO
Sprouting from Shinshu University in 2020, A-SEEDS has flourished as a pioneering biotech company driven by our unwavering commitment to swiftly and effectively address the needs of patients through genetically-engineered immune cell therapy.
As pediatricians, we have witnessed our young patients as they bravely confront the challenges of pediatric and young adult cancer. These interactions have deeply influenced our perspective as pediatric oncologists and ignited a continuous reflection on our mission in treating pediatric cancer.
At the heart of our purpose lies the primary mission of “Intact survival for the future life.” Guided by this mission, we are committed to implementing the most advanced existing cancer treatments, aiming to cure children and empower them to thrive in their future endeavors. Nevertheless, we cannot ignore the countless children worldwide who still face poor prognoses despite the progress made in cutting-edge treatments.
Therefore, we have embraced another mission: “seeking novel therapies for a better prognosis.” Our focus is to enhance the outlook for pediatric and young adult cancer by actively engaging in research and development of innovative drug treatments for these conditions.
The concept of CAR-T cell therapy has already shown remarkable advancements in the treatment of certain hematological malignancies, helping patients who were unresponsive to conventional therapies. While the current application of this technology is primarily limited to those conditions, rapid advancements in research and development are expanding its potential for use in solid tumors. However, further enhancements are necessary to achieve superior treatment outcomes.
A-SEEDS aims to translate our cutting-edge technology, piggyBac transposon-mediated CAR-T cell therapy, into a clinics. Our goal is to provide the most effective treatment options to cancer patients whose choices are limited.
A key advantage we possess stems from our close collaboration between academia and the biotech industry. As a university-based biotech company with extensive experience in the non-clinical development of cell therapy products, we are uniquely positioned to rapidly translate the outcomes of basic research into tangible advancements in non-clinical development and clinical applications.
Ultimately, our vision is to create a society where hope thrives for all, where individuals facing cancer can discover renewed possibilities through the most effective treatments available. Join us in our journey as we push the boundaries of scientific innovation to transform lives and shape a brighter future!
Company Profile
| Name | A-SEEDS Co., Ltd |
|---|---|
| Leadership | Shigeki Yagyu / CEO Yozo Nakazawa / Director and Founder Mayu Yoshikawa / CSO Takuji Achiwa / CDO Kiyohito Tani / COO |
| Address | ■ Main office #206 CSMIT, 3-1-1 Asahi Matsumoto, Japan, 390-0802 ■ Australian subsidiary Suite 7, Level 7, 330 Collins Street, Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia |
| Tel | +81 263-31-5882 |
| Established | Apr. 2020 |
Mission, Vision, Values
Leadership
MD, Ph.D
Shigeki is a Pediatric Oncologist who heads a basic and translational research laboratory focused on developing novel cell and gene therapy approaches for hematologic and solid malignancies. In particular, Shigeki leads clinical research on genetically engineered cellular immunotherapy, including CAR-T cells and NK cells.
Shigeki previously performed his postdoctoral training in the Center for Cell and Gene therapy at Baylor College of Medicine, where he investigated adoptive cell therapy for cancer. Shigeki also holds multiple patents related to developing novel CAR-expressing immune cells. Shigeki joined A-SEEDS Co. Ltd. in 2022, focusing on translating the novel transposon-based CAR-T cell therapy in the clinic.
Professor, Shinshu University School of Medicine
MD, Ph.D
Yozo is a Pediatric Oncologist with over 15 years of experience in pioneering transposon-based chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy. His significant research includes developing methods for piggyBac transposon-mediated expression of CAR in T cells and other immune cells to treat cancer. He completed his postdoctoral training at the Center for Cell and Gene Therapy at Baylor College of Medicine, where he initially developed genetically engineered T cells using the piggyBac transposon system. Yozo has extensive experience in developing both translational and clinical studies. His recent work has resulted in multiple investigator-initiated Investigational New Drug (IND) studies employing piggyBac CAR-T cells for the treatment of myeloid malignancies and solid tumors. In 2020, Yozo founded A-SEEDS Co. Ltd., a company dedicated to advancing this novel transposon-based CAR-T cell therapy into clinical practice.
Ph.D. in Life Sciences
Mayu Yoshikawa serves as the Director and Chief Strategy Officer at A-SEEDS, with a Ph.D. in Life Sciences. Originating from Nara, Japan, her life’s mission to apply science for societal solutions was ignited during her tuberculosis research in South Africa. This pivotal experience not only propelled her to attain a Ph.D. in Small RNA research but also catalyzed her transition into the business field. Her professional path includes significant roles in global strategy consulting and a venture capital firm specializing in biotech, where she has played a key role in launching, investing in, and commercializing academic innovations. Broadening her impact, Yoshikawa collaborated with a U.S. venture capital firm to nurture startups from Japan aiming for a global presence. This collaboration introduced her to the founders of A-SEEDS, with whom she shared a strong commitment to science and vision. Inspired by this mutual ethos, she joined A-SEEDS in 2023 as the Director and Chief Strategy Officer, where she continues to advocate for scientific innovation to address real-world challenges.
After obtaining his Master’s degree in Pharmacy, he worked in global pharmaceutical companies and several drug discovery startups, including one focused on regenerative medicine, before joining A-SEEDS. Throughout his career, he has consistently been involved in development operations, gaining broad experience in management and business development. In his most recent startup, he joined from its founding, taking on roles from recruitment and team-building to development and regulatory strategy planning and execution, ultimately leading the product from hands-on involvement in development to regulatory approval and launch in just three years.
Before A-SEEDS was established, he was drawn to the founder’s passion, character, and the potential of the technology, supporting the company’s early-stage activities by advising on business and development strategy. To further accelerate corporate strategy planning and clinical development, he committed to joining the team.
MBA (IE Business School), MS Pharm
Kiyohito Tani serves as the Chief Operating Officer at A-SEEDS, holding an MBA from IE Business School and a pharmacist license. Born in Okayama, Japan, a pivotal moment during his hospital internship involving a cancer patient’s heartfelt words transformed the development of treatments for currently incurable diseases into his life’s mission. Starting his career at a Japanese pharmaceutical company, he engaged in development strategy and clinical trial planning, gaining experience through the approval application process and product launch. After completing his MBA, he contributed to the commercialization of cutting-edge treatments and policy recommendations for biotech startups, as well as strategic planning and execution support for pharmaceutical companies at a global strategy consulting firm among others. Deeply inspired by the vision and mission of the founders, he joined A-SEEDS as the Chief Operating Officer in August 2023