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| Aiming to develop an internationally competitive Kansai Bio Cluster |
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The objective here is to develop a varied, multi-layered cluster in collaboration with entities both at home and abroad in the fields of drug development and regenerative medical techniques, advanced analytical equipment, manufacturing biotechnologies (e.g., bioprocess, environment biotechnology, food biotechnology) by using the abundant accumulation of universities, research institutes, and related businesses, and thereby form a Kansai Bio Cluster comparable to the world's leading bio-clusters. |
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Drug discovery, regenerative medical techniques, advanced analytical equipment, and manufacturing biotechnologies (e.g., bioprocess, environment biotechnology, food biotechnology) |
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Entire Kinki region (Fukui, Shiga, Kyoto, Osaka, Hyogo, Nara and Wakayama Prefectures) |
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NPO Kinki Bio-Industry Development Organization
URL: http://kinkibio.com
TEL: +81-6-6459-6795 FAX: +81-6-6447-7011 |
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Nagahama Institute
of Bio-Science and Technology, Advanced
Software Technology and Mechatronics Research Institute of
Kyoto, Osaka
Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Senri
Life Science Foundation, Foundation
for Biomedical Research and Innovation |
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| The network consists of about 460 companies (including key organizations), Kyoto University, Osaka University, Kobe University, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, and other universities, public research institutes, as well as Osaka Prefecture, the city of Kyoto, the city of Kobe, and other local governments. |
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| An exchange agreement has been concluded with the Hokkaido Bio-industry Association. Active collaboration activities have been pursued with the Hokkaido region including the Cluster supporting the "Kansai IT and BIO Business Matching Project." Efforts have also been made to increase inter-regional collaboration such as exchanges with the other regions of Japan. Exchanges with overseas clusters are also planned for promotion such as an exchange with the Food Valley in the Netherlands. |
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| Simply focusing on technological seeds owned by universities, research institutes, ventures, and other entities for advancing research and development is not enough, so "hands-on" support such as advice on commercialization and support for market cultivation is being promoted. |
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| This cluster collaborates toward commercialization through such means as exchanging views at the Headquarters Conference of the Kansai Wide-area Biomedical Cluster and channeling the results of research and development by the Knowledge Cluster Initiative to the program of support for technological development in terms of related measures taken by the industrial cluster. |
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The Kinki region has a concentration of major companies in the fields of pharmaceuticals, chemistry, foods, and precision equipment, as well as universities and public research institutes pursuing advanced research activities in the field of biotechnology, and thus offers high potential for bio research. Many biotech projects are also under way at the local governmental level, such as at "Saito" in the northern part of Osaka, the Kobe Medical Industry Development Project, and Kansai Science City.
We intend to step up our collaboration with the key organizations, expand industry-university-government human networks, create bio ventures, and lend assistance in pursuit of growth in order to pave the way for technologically advanced SMEs to enter biotechnology related industries. |
| Shinji Toyama |
Cluster Manager, Kansai Bio Cluster Project
Senior Director, NPO Kinki Bio-Industry Development Organization |
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| Number of cluster cores established (In FY 2008): |
19 |
| Number of venture companies created or supported for development (Accumulating total): |
42 |
| Number of public stock offerings (Accumulating total): |
7 |
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| Number of new businesses launched: 1,000 businesses in 5 years |
| Cluster cores established: 75 in 5 years |
| Growth in sales of cluster core companies:
25% in 5 years |
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Main Participants of the Project
Private companies (460 companies): AnGes MG, Inc., Bio-energy Corporation, Gene Design Inc., Kringle Pharma, Inc., Pharma Foods International Co.,Ltd., GENOLAC BL Corporation, Carna Biosciences, Inc., Magnabeat Incorporated, MedGEL Corporation, Bio-Sight Capital, Inc., etc.
Related administrative organizations (23 organizations): prefectures and government-designated cities in Kansai area, Kyoto Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Osaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Kobe Chamber of Commerce and Industry, etc.
Universities and public examination and research institutes (71 organizations): Kyoto University, Osaka University, Osaka Prefecture University, Kobe University, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, etc.
Financial institutions (17 organizations)
Business Incubators (3 facilities): Creation Core Kyoto Mikuruma, Kyodai Katsura Venture Plaza, Nagahama Bio Incubation center
Others (57 organizations): TLO, NPO, etc. |
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| ACHIEVEMENT EXAMPLE 1 |
Development of the Micro Bioactivity Analyzer using a sensitive ISFET signal accumulation biosensor
Bio-X Inc. |
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Bio-X is a venture company working on the development, production and sales of an ISFET biosensor and measurement device. They are a member company of the Kansai Bio Cluster Project.
In FY 2006 and 2007, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry sponsored the Regional Consortium Research and Development Project. Titled Metabolic Disposition Analyzer Development with Omics Collaboration Synergy, the project was managed by the Advanced Software Technology & Mechatronics Research Institute of Kyoto and headed by Dr. Mitsuyoshi Ueda of Kyoto University. Based on the research result at the Consortium, Bio-X has developed a revolutionary product Micro Bioactivity Analyzer that realizes high sensitive and easy measurement of bioactive reaction caused by proteins.
The device is capable of analyzing the functions of proteins in extremely small samples such as found on the tip of a pin, on the order of a few microliters. The device is expected to be widely adopted in such areas as clinical trials, physiological tests, pharmaceutical research, enzyme research and food research.
With this development, In November FY 2008, Bio-X received the New Business Conference Kansai special award, the Kinki Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry Directors Award, sponsored by the New Business Conference Kansai.
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ISFET signal accumulation biosensor
Micro Bioactivity Analyzer
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| ACHIEVEMENT EXAMPLE 2 |
Development of an endoscopic surgery robotic assistant
Daiken Medical Co., Ltd. |
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Daiken Medical is a R&D manufacturer of medical devices and a member of the Kansai Bio Cluster Project. (It was listed to the Second Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange in March FY 2009.)
At the Next-Generation Medical Systems Business Forum, sponsored by the Osaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Daiken Medical was introduced to Osaka University in an industry-academia match-up. Working together, the two organizations have developed an endoscopic surgery robotic assistant that moves a camera to focus on the surgical location in response to hand movements of the operating surgeon.
In conventional endoscopic surgery, the camera is handled by an assistant who must pay close attention to the operating surgeons every move. This product relieves the assistant of the tedicus resposibility, enabling the operation to proceed smoothly.
In order to holding down manufacturing costs for the drive component of the robot as well as for reasons of hygiene, Daiken Medical has been developing a disposable robot and plans to move to production within five years.
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Daiken Medicals endoscopic surgery robotic assistant |
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| ACHIEVEMENT EXAMPLE 3 |
Developing an energy-efficient method to synthesize functional phospholipids
Nagase ChemteX Corp. |
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Nagase ChemteX is a chemical manufacturer involved in a wide range of products and is also a member of the Kansai Bio Cluster Project.
In FY 2005 to 2006, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry promoted a research project to develop an energy-efficient method to synthesize functional phospholipids. Carried out by the Regional Consortium Research and Development Project, the project was headed by Dr. Hideki Fukuda of Kobe University (currently the president of the university). Based on the results, Nagase ChemteX successfully used an enzymatic reaction technology they had developed to create soybean lecithin derived product, which they named PIPS Nagase, that contained large quantities of phosphatidylserine (PS) and phosphatidylinositol (PI). PIPS Nagase is a health food ingredient expected to bring great health improvements. Because of its effect of improving the lipid metabolism while decreasing excessive uric acid, PIPS Nagase is expected to help metabolic syndrome patients, and it will also be used in beauty products for its anti-aging effect. In June FY 2007, Nagase ChemteX completed a production system capable of producing tens of tons of PIPS Nagase per year at their Fukuchiyama plant.
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PIPS Nagase
Nagase ChemteXs phospholipid production facility at their Fukuchiyama location |
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