Collaboration with fundraising Tokyo-based venture builds mid-sized firm's interest in cell-based therapies in a highly supportive regulatory environment.

Japan was never known for its healthcare-focused venture capital funds, but Whiz Partners, Inc. is looking to fill what it sees as a void, helped by some heavy corporate hitters, and a major new collaboration with Takeda's spun out preclinical development operations in Japan.

Takeda has spun off into a new joint investment fund selected drug discovery operations in Japan that had been shifted to the new Axcelead business last year, further honing its focus ahead of the Shire acquisition and in a move to foster a more effective early-stage ecosystem in the country.

Irish biotech focused on Endobody vaccine candidates partners with Boston U. in CTE and U. of Texas in Alzheimer’s. Lupus Research Alliance affiliate will help Bristol conduct a Phase II trial of Tyk2 inhibitor in lupus.