Chugai Pharmaceutical Joins Bakar Bio Labs Industry Affiliate Program at UC Berkeley
Partnership Expands Chugai’s Open Innovation Presence in the San Francisco Bay Area Life Sciences Ecosystem
South San Francisco, CA – June 11, 2026 – Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. Today announced it has joined the Bakar Bio Labs Industry Affiliate Program at the University of California, Berkeley, effective May 1, 2026. The affiliation strengthens Chugai’s open innovation strategy and deepens its engagement with the Bay Area’s world-class academic research and early-stage biotechnology community.
Bakar Bio Labs, based on the UC Berkeley campus, is a nationally recognized incubator dedicated to accelerating early-stage life science ventures. Resident companies benefit from access to cutting-edge laboratory infrastructure, proximity to Berkeley’s renowned faculty, and an entrepreneurial community spanning academia, industry, and venture capital.
As an Industry Affiliate, Chugai will participate in strategic advisory discussions with Bakar Bio Labs leadership, engage directly with resident startup teams, and contribute to scientific and ecosystem development initiatives. The program provides Chugai with a structured platform to identify emerging research opportunities and evaluate collaborations aligned with its R&D priorities in areas including oncology, immunology, and next-generation biologic platforms.
“Joining the Bakar Bio Labs Industry Affiliate Program is a natural next step in Chugai’s commitment to building meaningful partnerships at the forefront of biomedical innovation,” said Andrew Wong, Head of Chugai Partnering – U.S. “The Bay Area represents one of the most dynamic life sciences ecosystems in the world, and this affiliation gives us a direct connection to the bold science being done within the UC system and among its emerging companies. We look forward to the exchanges and discoveries this relationship will enable.”
“We are pleased to welcome Chugai to the Bakar Bio Labs Industry Affiliate Program,” said David Schaffer, a UC Berkeley professor and director of Bakar Labs, which comprises Bakar Bio Labs and an energy and materials division. “Our affiliate partnerships are most valuable when they bring global therapeutic expertise alongside genuine intellectual curiosity, and Chugai exemplifies both. Their participation will enrich the scientific environment for our resident startups and open new pathways to translating breakthrough research into patient benefit.
”This affiliation is part of Chugai’s broader effort to build a robust open innovation presence across leading U.S. academic and biotech ecosystems. By cultivating relationships with pioneering research institutions, Chugai aims to accelerate the development of transformative therapies and contribute to the long-term advancement of human health.
About Bakar Bio Labs
Bakar Bio Labs is the biotech division of Bakar Labs, UC Berkeley's flagship incubator supporting innovation in life sciences, energy, and materials. Operated by QB3, Bakar Labs provides extensive equipment, lab and office facilities, and a community of like-minded entrepreneurs to help startups grow. Bakar Labs can support as many as 50 early-stage companies from around the world focused on translating innovations that promise to improve human and planetary health. No UC affiliation is required to join. For information about how to join or form a partnership, visit bakarlabs.org.
About Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., headquartered in Tokyo, is a research-based pharmaceutical company with world-class drug discovery capabilities, including proprietary antibody engineering technologies. Chugai is committed to creating innovative pharmaceutical products that may satisfy unmet medical needs. Chugai is listed on the Prime Market of the Tokyo Stock Exchange. While maintaining autonomy and management independence, Chugai is an important member of the Roche Group.
Additional information is available at https://www.chugai-pharm.co.jp/english/