Events

LabCentral Golden Tickets: Cambridge, MA

Daiichi Sankyo is honored to be a Platinum sponsor of LabCentral, a top-tier, shared laboratory space in Cambridge, Massachusetts, designed to serve as a launchpad for life science and biotech startups. Since the establishment of the Daiichi Sankyo Research Institute Boston in 2024, Daiichi Sankyo has awarded credits to four biotech organizations engaging in unique technology platforms. This year, Daiichi Sankyo will award another two Golden Tickets to further support and celebrate innovative life-science companies. The recipient of the Golden Ticket will receive a $50,000 credit toward space and services at LabCentral’s flagship site at 700 Main Street in Cambridge, for use within a 13-month period. Additionally, Daiichi Sankyo will offer access to its team of skilled experts, who can provide guidance and feedback to early-stage companies.

2026 Daiichi Sankyo Golden Ticket Contest at LabCentral

Daiichi Sankyo is thrilled to announce that it is now accepting applications for the 2026 Daiichi Sankyo Golden Ticket, inviting startups that are developing innovative technologies and/or therapeutics in the following areas to apply:

Oncology Areas: 

• Novel modalities unlocking new frontiers in intractable cancer treatment
• Technologies to expand the therapeutic index of ADCs/ TCEs
• Novel tumor-specific binders/ molecules, and their discovery methods
• Next-generation targeted protein degradation and heterobifunctional molecule technologies
• Technologies enabling tumor- specific delivery

Non-oncology Areas: 

Novel Therapeutic Targets & Hypothesis

• Immune diseases
• Non-type II COPD
• Dry AMD & Retinitis pigmentosa
• Alzheimer's disease
• Gene therapy for Cardiovascular metabolic diseases
• Delivery method for specific organ/cell

Cross-Therapeutic Areas:

In vivo direct reprogramming

• Screening method for optimal factors (b cell, cardiomyocytes, neuron, rejuvenation, etc.)
• Methods to improve conversion efficacy
• Modality for long-duration efficacy

AI/ML: Target Discovery / Identification 

• Closed loop (Human data, Causal AI, wet validation)
• Therapeutic Areas: CVM & Inflammation, Oncology (dual targeting)

Novel medical device, diagnostics and modality manufacturing are out of scope in 2026 Daiichi Sankyo Golden Ticket. 

How to Apply:

To apply, please send a non-confidential pitch deck (up to 20 pages), as a PDF, showcasing your innovative approach to advancing therapies for patients with high unmet needs to: goldenticket.rib@daiichisankyo.com

All submissions will be reviewed. Finalists will be invited to a pitch event at LabCentral in Cambridge, MA, where the Golden Ticket winners will be announced!

Timelines:

• Application submission opens: June 23, 2026
• Application deadline: August 7, 2026
• Golden Ticket finalists notified: September 7, 2026
• Daiichi Sankyo Golden Ticket Pitch Event and announcement of winners: October 7, 2026

Disclosures:

The winner of the Golden Ticket will receive a $50,000 credit towards space and services at LabCentral’s site at 700 Main Street in Cambridge, MA, for use within a 13-month period from the date the winner is offered available lab-space. Additional terms and conditions apply, as determined by Daiichi Sankyo and LabCentral. Please visit https://www.labcentral.org/about/golden-tickets to learn more about the process and criteria. All submissions will be reviewed. The recipient will not receive any cash consideration. Those seeking access to, and discussions with, Daiichi Sankyo employees for guidance or feedback may need to sign appropriate confidentiality agreements, at Daiichi Sankyo’s discretion. For any questions, please email: goldenticket.rib@daiichisankyo.com

Daiichi Sankyo:

Daiichi Sankyo is a global healthcare company committed to becoming a trusted healthcare innovator, transforming the lives of people through its science and technology. The company discovers and develops new standards of care to address diverse medical needs to fulfill its purpose of contributing to the enrichment of quality of life around the world. For more information, please visit www.daiichisankyo.com.