Golden Ticket

The Pioneer and Daiichi Sankyo Golden Ticket

Pioneer Group has partnered with global healthcare company Daiichi Sankyo to launch a Golden Ticket designed to help accelerate innovations in novel therapeutic platform technologies, oncology, neuroscience and ophthalmology.

The Golden Ticket programme is aimed at early-stage biotech companies focused on novel drug targets and transformational medicines, with robust research plans and potential for successful research development.

Are you passionate about making a difference in the fields of;

  • Novel Modalities & Technologies:
    • RNA-targeting therapeutics
    • Drug delivery technologies for targeting organs & cells
    • Proximity inducing modalities
    • Protein/cell/virus/genetic engineering technologies
  • Oncology:
    • Novel tumour-specific therapeutic modalities with a unique approach or mechanism, and unique methods for discovering tumour-specific binders
  • Speciality Medicine
    • Novel research for identifying disease-relevant targets using patient tissue samples in central nervous system and ophthalmology
Pioneer Group Golden Ticket Programme
Daiichi Sankyo Pioneer Golden Ticket
Pioneer Group Golden Ticket

The Prize:

As the winner, you’ll unlock a wealth of opportunities designed to propel your idea:

premium lab facilities in victoria house london

 

12-month rent-free incubation space in London, Dublin, Glasgow or Nottingham

 

Access to Pioneer’s Venture Programmes to support commercial de-risking

 

Mentoring & support from Pioneer’s Expert Network and specialist business coaches

 

Mentoring & support from Daiichi Sankyo’s drug discovery & development experts

 

Access Pioneer’s inspiring ecosystem, events and annual Investment Showcase

How to apply:

Closing date for applications is 30 May 2025


If you’re working on ground-breaking solutions in these critical areas, we want to support you in turning your vision into reality. This is your chance to harness our world-class resources and take your innovation to the next level. Submit your application and once reviewed, shortlisted candidates will be invited to a virtual pitching event following the submission deadline.

Selection process

  • All applications will be reviewed by the Daiichi Sankyo and Pioneer Group selection committee

  • Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a virtual pitching event

  • The winner will be announced in June 2025

  • The successful candidate will be invited to move in to their chosen incubator space from June 2025

Disclaimer: The decision to award any golden tickets, and the assessments underlying such decision, are solely within the judgement of Daiichi Sankyo and Pioneer Group. Decisions are not subject to any objection or appeal.

Frequently asked questions

Application process

Complete the online application form and submit your pitch deck (non-confidential) alongside. Maximum of 12 slides.

Closing dates

Applications will close on Friday 30th May.

Daiichi Sankyo and Pioneer Group want to hear from trailblazing science and technology founders as well as innovators from established businesses who are creating game-changing approaches in the following areas:

  • Novel Modalities & Technologies:
    • RNA-targeting therapeutics using small chemical compounds
    • Drug delivery technologies for targeting specific organs & cells
    • Proximity inducing modalities
    • Protein/cell/virus/genetic engineering technologies
  • Oncology:
    • Novel tumour-specific therapeutic modalities with a unique approach or mechanism, and unique methods for discovering tumour-specific binders
  • Speciality Medicine
    • Novel research for identifying disease-relevant targets using patient tissue samples in central nervous system and ophthalmology

Please note, the prize can only be awarded to UK & Ireland registered corporate entities.

The Prize:

As winner, you’ll unlock a wealth of opportunities designed to propel your idea:

Your Innovation Hub

12-months rent free incubation space, giving you the freedom to innovate without boundaries. Choose one of our four state-of-the-art Pioneer incubators as your base of operations:

Exclusive Access to The Pioneer Ecosystem
Immerse yourself for 12 months in an inspiring community dedicated to advancing visionary ventures.

Tailored Support
Engage in The Pioneer Venture Programmes and receive bespoke guidance from our Venture Development and Investment teams.

Specialist Business Coaching
Leverage the Pioneer Expert Network – our vast network of specialists and business coaches committed to your success.

Daiichi Sankyo Experts
Mentoring & support from Daiichi Sankyo.

Engaging Events
Participate in site events and socials, learning from industry leaders and expanding your network within the broader ecosystem.

Executive Summary

  • Include a brief history of your company, including:
  • Your company’s mission statement
  • Why and how the company was founded
  • Management team and expertise
  • What and why collaborating with a partner is critical to your success

1. The science behind the asset

2. The prioritized and potentially applicable uses

3. Unique scientific value-add – What differentiates your technology from other companies in the competitive landscape?

4. Relevant IP and publications – Include data supporting your science

5. Mitigation of risk: What are the potential pitfalls and key challenges?

6. What milestones and achievements – What do you expect to accomplish in the next 12 months

7. The key proof of non-confidential concept data – and/or experiment that will help you reach your next inflection point

8. Briefly describe your team – Their background, expertise, and how you will work together to achieve your near-term goals.

9. Your longer-term plans – Product development, go to market strategy as examples including your financing needs to reach these goals?

11. The benefit of potential collaboration with Daiichi Sankyo and Pioneer Group

Please submit no more than 12 slides. We wish all of you the best of luck and we look forward to receiving your application soon.

The applications are assessed by a scientific expert panel. Their assessments are based on six evaluation criteria: 

  • Fit to Daiichi Sankyo’s strategic interest areas
  • Unmet need to be addressed and potential of the envisioned product will differentiate from existing treatment options
  • Quality and impact of previously generated scientific data
  • Research plan robustness and key milestone(s) to reach within one year
  • Team competency
  • Potential to successfully achieve research milestones and downstream program maturation
Daiichi Sankyo Pioneer Golden Ticket

About Daiichi Sankyo

Daiichi Sankyo is a global pharmaceutical company with corporate origins in Japan. We provide innovative products and services in more than 30 countries/regions around the world. With more than 120 years of scientific expertise, our company draws upon a rich legacy of innovation and a robust pipeline of promising new medicines to help patients.

Through the outstanding knowledge and commitment of our 19,000 + employees worldwide, we create innovative new and generic medicines. We share a passion for innovation, as well as compassion for the patients around the world who are in need of our medicines.

Pioneer Group Golden Ticket

About Pioneer

Pioneer Group have 12 locations across the UK and Ireland, creating the largest community of science and technology companies in Europe. Our mission is to help life science and high-tech businesses thrive in tackling challenges in both human and planetary health.

Pioneer integrates the provision of mission-critical real estate with venture building and venture investment within powerful sector-specific communities to create environments in which businesses are more likely to succeed.

This is the fifth Golden Ticket programme launched by Pioneer Group, with partners Novo Nordisk, CPI, AbbVie and Astellas.

Pioneer’s Previous Golden Ticket Partners