Disclaimer: machine translated by DeepL which may contain errors.
At the Graduate School of Science, I conducted research under Professor Shinya Kuroda on the mathematical modeling of signal transduction networks. This research, which sought to describe the complex and dynamic information processing of living organisms using mathematical equations and validate them against experimental data, taught me the true appeal of science—connecting theory with phenomena. Although I often struggled with the assumptions of models and the interpretation of data, I found great joy in discovering the underlying order behind biological phenomena. Those days remain the foundation of my current work.
After completing my doctoral studies, I joined Astellas Pharma’s Tsukuba Research Center, motivated by the desire to link my research to practical value and chose the path of an industry researcher. From the outset, I maintained a strong ambition to become a researcher who could stand shoulder to shoulder with the world’s best. Eight years ago, I had the opportunity to be stationed in San Diego, USA, where I participated in an international collaborative study on schizophrenia. There, I contributed both analytically and through manuscript preparation to research that was published in Nature Neuroscience, engaging in activities with a strong academic character.
Research in the United States, in particular, demanded profound analytical thinking grounded in expertise. In an environment where the ability to derive hypotheses from limited information and to construct methods for validation was highly valued, the training I had received at the Graduate School of Science—pursuing the question of “Why”—became an unshakable foundation that supported me as a researcher, even within a different culture.
Currently, I belong to Astellas Pharma’s U.S. affiliate, where I work in the Early Development & Translational Science division, engaging in translational research that bridges drug discovery and clinical development. This field requires expertise spanning both scientific knowledge and clinical development, and it offers an exciting role of translating research findings into tangible value for patients.
Specifically, in early clinical oncology projects, I design and conduct studies such as biomarker acquisition plans for efficacy evaluation, tumor-derived RNA/DNA sequencing aimed at elucidating mechanisms of action (MoA) in treatment-resistant cancers, circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) analysis, and spatial transcriptomics, which visualizes gene expression within tissue. This April, in a pancreatic adenocarcinoma project that I led, we confirmed the therapeutic efficacy of a targeted protein degrader (TPD) in clinical trials and achieved Proof of Concept (POC). Building upon this success, we are now advancing toward larger-scale clinical studies.
I have also been fortunate to promote collaborative research with institutions such as Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham and Women’s Hospital, both affiliated with Harvard University. Through direct discussions with clinical researchers worldwide, I experience daily the joy of applying cutting-edge science in Boston to benefit patients confronting serious diseases.
For those pursuing studies in the natural sciences, many may find themselves torn between academia and industry. Some may worry that joining a company means distancing themselves from fundamental research. However, based on my experience, in the United States the boundary between academia and industry is far lower than one might imagine, and collaboration is close. The logical thinking and persistent pursuit of questions cultivated in the natural sciences constitute a fertile intellectual foundation that can thrive anywhere.
I think I have learned a great deal from the challenges I have taken on in this environment that I happened to find myself in. I hope that those of you who are choosing your future career paths will not be afraid to take on the challenges of new environments, laboratories, and unknown countries.
Presentation on Astellas' translational research initiatives at the Immuno-Oncology 360° Conference (IO360, an international conference in the field of immuno-oncology)