Astellas and MBC BioLabs Announce the 2025 Astellas Future Innovator Prize Awarded to DeepSeq.AI & Serna Bio

Core Insights - Astellas Pharma U.S. Inc. and MBC BioLabs announced DeepSeq.AI, Inc. and Serna Bio as winners of the Future Innovator Prize, which provides access to advanced lab facilities and Astellas' R&D capabilities [1][2][3] Group 1: Prize Overview - The Astellas Future Innovator Prize is awarded to pioneering scientists with innovative research that aligns with Astellas' Focus Area Approach, including Genetic Regulation, Immuno-Oncology, Targeted Protein Degradation, and Blindness & Regeneration [5] - This year, Astellas received over 50 applications, with the winners selected based on the strength of their innovation and therapeutic potential [2][5] Group 2: Company Profiles - DeepSeq.AI focuses on AI-driven large molecule discovery, utilizing high-throughput wet lab assays and generative models to optimize biologics, claiming to accelerate IND timelines by 10x and reduce costs by 50% [9] - Serna Bio is developing small molecules to upregulate protein translation by targeting functional RNA structures, leveraging a comprehensive platform for target discovery and chemical optimization [10] Group 3: Statements from Leadership - Issei Tsukamoto from Astellas emphasized the importance of supporting startups that have the potential to transform patient care globally [3] - Doug Crawford from MBC BioLabs highlighted the role of the Future Innovator Prize in providing access to a community of entrepreneurs and expert mentorship to accelerate early-stage breakthroughs [4]