Daiichi Sankyo Expands Global Footprint with Third Research Institute in San Diego, Strengthening its Commitment to Innovative Drug Discovery
Daiichi Sankyo (TSE: 4568), a global leader in the pharmaceutical industry, has officially inaugurated its latest research hub, the Daiichi Sankyo Research Institute in San Diego, marking a significant expansion of the company’s international research and development network. This new institute is the third major research facility established outside of Daiichi Sankyo’s flagship R&D center in Japan, following the opening of strategic locations in Boston, Massachusetts, and Munich, Germany in 2024. By establishing a presence in San Diego, a city renowned for its vibrant life sciences and biotechnology ecosystem, Daiichi Sankyo is signaling a strong commitment to fostering innovation through closer collaboration with local scientific communities and accelerating the discovery of novel medicines that address unmet medical needs worldwide.
The San Diego institute represents more than just a geographic expansion—it is a strategic investment in scientific talent, cutting-edge research infrastructure, and global collaboration. The city is widely recognized as a leading hub for biotechnology and pharmaceutical research, hosting a dense concentration of biotech startups, established pharmaceutical companies, and world-class academic institutions. By embedding its scientists in this dynamic ecosystem, Daiichi Sankyo aims to leverage local expertise and emerging scientific trends to advance its pipeline of innovative therapies.
Yuki Abe, PhD, Head of R&D Division in Japan and Head of Research at Daiichi Sankyo, highlighted the significance of this development:
Establishing a dedicated scientific presence in San Diego marks a significant milestone for Daiichi Sankyo as we continue to deepen our long-standing relationships in one of the world’s leading innovation hubs and expand our global research strategy. We look forward to further strengthening our research collaborations by embedding our scientists in local life-science ecosystems around the world to help us continue to identify unique and cutting-edge science that can serve as building blocks for the discovery of new medicines.
Dr. Abe’s statement underscores the company’s broader vision of globalized R&D integration, wherein scientific teams operate not only within Japan but across strategic international locations to maximize innovation potential. This approach allows Daiichi Sankyo to remain at the forefront of pharmaceutical research by rapidly integrating emerging discoveries, novel technologies, and unique therapeutic approaches from across the globe.
The opening of the San Diego research institute is particularly timely, given the city’s position as a leader in areas such as oncology, immunology, gene therapy, and rare disease research. By positioning itself within such an environment, Daiichi Sankyo aims to capitalize on local collaborations with biotechnology startups, academic research labs, and other pharmaceutical companies. These partnerships are expected to accelerate the development of next-generation therapies and strengthen the company’s competitive edge in global drug discovery.
Strategic Global R&D Expansion
Daiichi Sankyo’s move aligns with a larger trend among leading pharmaceutical companies, which are increasingly establishing research hubs in multiple international locations to tap into specialized talent pools and foster scientific innovation. The San Diego institute complements the company’s other international sites in Boston and Munich, creating a global R&D network designed to maximize access to groundbreaking science and foster cross-border collaboration.
Boston, known for its rich concentration of biotech firms and leading academic institutions, serves as a strategic hub for research in areas such as oncology, cardiovascular diseases, and advanced biologics. Munich, in Germany, offers a gateway to the European life sciences market and provides access to top-tier research institutions specializing in translational medicine and cutting-edge pharmaceutical technologies. The addition of San Diego completes this triad of international research centers, ensuring that Daiichi Sankyo maintains a globally integrated research and innovation network that can rapidly respond to emerging scientific opportunities.
Fostering Local Collaborations and Scientific Ecosystem Engagement
Beyond the physical infrastructure, the San Diego institute represents Daiichi Sankyo’s commitment to engaging meaningfully with the local scientific community. By situating its researchers in proximity to leading biotech startups and research universities, the company can actively participate in collaborative research programs, technology sharing initiatives, and joint development projects. Such collaborations are expected to enhance the company’s ability to identify promising therapeutic candidates at an early stage and bring innovative medicines to patients more efficiently.
In addition, the institute will serve as a hub for knowledge exchange, hosting seminars, workshops, and networking events aimed at strengthening relationships between Daiichi Sankyo scientists and local innovators. By fostering a culture of collaboration, the company aims to accelerate the translation of scientific discoveries into practical therapeutic solutions, ultimately benefiting patients across multiple disease areas.
A Focus on Cutting-Edge Science
The San Diego research institute is expected to focus on high-priority therapeutic areas, including oncology, cardiovascular diseases, and rare or underserved medical conditions. These areas align with Daiichi Sankyo’s broader global strategy, which emphasizes the development of novel, first-in-class medicines with the potential to significantly improve patient outcomes. By combining its internal R&D expertise with external collaborations, Daiichi Sankyo aims to create a pipeline of innovative therapies that address unmet medical needs on a global scale.
The presence in San Diego also enables the company to closely monitor emerging trends in biotechnology, including cell and gene therapies, mRNA technologies, and advanced biologics. This strategic positioning ensures that Daiichi Sankyo remains at the forefront of scientific innovation, continuously integrating new technologies and approaches into its research programs.
