Hokuriku Life Science Cluster

MEXT : Regional Innovation Strategy Support Program
Regions focused on
strengthening international competeitiveness
( Toyama Prefecture ) ( Ishikawa Prefecture ) ( Fukui Prefecture )
Hokuriku Life Science Cluster
for opening up healthy aging society
Hokuriku Life Science Cluster Promotion Council
Hokuriku Industrial Advancement Center
Message from Top Management
In July 2013, the “Hokuriku Life Science Cluster for Opening up Healthy Aging Society”
Making efforts to improve the quality of medical care is a fundamental issue when it
project, based on a collaborative proposal by the three prefectures of the Hokuriku region,
comes to ensuring a society in which citizens can live with peace of mind. In this project,
was selected as a Regional Innovation Strategy Support Program of the Ministry of
we seek to face the issues accompanying an aging society to come up with solutions and
Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology（MEXT）.
create a global model where human resources, technology, products, facilities and funding
The aim of this project is to develop new pharmaceuticals and medical equipment over the
come in from outside the region in a continuous, self-sustaining manner.
next five years, utilizing results obtained from the “Hokuriku Innovation Cluster for Health
There are three priorities in our strategy for achieving this goal, namely（1）strengthening
Science” project implemented jointly by Toyama and Ishikawa up until 2012. The three
of development t h roug h st rateg ic gat her i ng of re se a rcher s,（ 2）ac c elerat ion of
prefectures of Toyama, Ishikawa and Fukui will come together and utilize their respective
commercialization and practical application of R&D results and（ 3 ）promotion beyond the
strengths in preventive medicine, diagnosis and treatment in collaboration with various
Hokuriku region and internationalization. In regards to strategic gathering of researchers,
industry, academic, financial and government bodies, as well as local communities to
we will engage in R&D on 10 themes in the fields of prevention, diagnosis and treatment.
promote cyclical activities, including prevention, diagnosis, treatment and post-treatment
As for accelerating the commercialization of R&D results, we will prepare a regional
prevention. We will work on creating social value that contributes to solutions for the
techno-map and patent map, create a human resource development program and
looming challenges of an aging society with a declining birthrate and establish
strengthen efforts to acquire competitive external funding. In our promotion beyond the
internationally competitive life science research facilities to promote development of
Hokur iku region and inter nationalization, we w ill create new businesses in the
regional industry through broad-based health-related industries via the integration of
pharmaceutical field through collaboration with the Basel agglomeration in Switzerland
advanced pharmaceuticals, functional foods, medical equipment and other technologies in
and other large regions. We will develop activities centered on collaborative councils with
aim of creating economic value.
cluster members and others in order to increase the number of companies participating in
the project and create synergy in aim of achieving the goal.
Chairperson
Hokuriku Life Science Cluster Promotion Council
The Hokuriku Industrial Advancement Center
Isao Nagahara
Project Director
Hokuriku Life Science Cluster
The Hokuriku Industrial Advancement Center
Yukihiro Fukui
What is the Hokuriku Life Science Cluster?
Aims of the Hokuriku Life Science Cluster
Concentration of researchers who play core roles
in regional innovation strategies
We are promoting efforts in the fields of biomedicine, functional foods
and medical equipment with the aim of forming a life science cluster that
will lead in the development of a healthy aging society in the Hokuriku
region.
In order to create a healthy aging society, we must develop a social
system in which both young and old, male and female can lead vibrant
lives. In this project, we will promote efforts that address pervasive
developmental disorder, dementia, cancer, lifestyle-related diseases and
other illnesses so that children can grow up healthily and senior citizens
can lead healthy lives.
In this region, efforts to enhance and utilize local strengths have been
carried out through MEXT’s Knowledge-Based Cluster Creation Project
and other such initiatives. Fukui has become the newest participant in
this project, and the aim is to improve quality of life by incorporating new technologies into new products and
services through R&D and bringing them to market to create new economic value.
We will invite first-class life science researchers from outside the region and work on expanding research
fields and further promoting R&D in order to implement integrated efforts that include prevention, diagnosis,
treatment and post-treatment prevention ( see pages 5 and 6 for details ) .
The Hokuriku Life Science Cluster seeking growth on the global stage
An important challenges to form a life science cluster is securing and training human resources from a
long-term standpoint. It requires comprehensive regional efforts through collaboration between industry,
academic, financial and government bodies.
For this reason, we will engage in systematic efforts covering a wide scope from basic knowledge to
pharmaceuticals, patent applications and other specialist knowledge, according to the targets ( universities,
companies, local residents, etc. ) and the fields of prevention, diagnosis and treatment while incorporating
national and regional projects.
Magnetoencephalograph (MEG)
Diagnostic kit
Toyama Pharmaceutical Biocluster
Ishikawa High-Tech Sensing Cluster
FY 2003 - FY 2007
FY 2004 - FY 2008
FY 2008 - FY 2012
Cell chip
cDNA synthesizer
Collaboration with
other regions
Participation by
Fukui Prefecture
Home-based long-term
healthcare system
Establishment of
preventive methods
Establishment of
diagnostic methods
Target molecule
Solution
Nanodevice material
Measuring
instrument
Sensor
Measuring chip
Development and implementation of human resource development programs
toward the realization of regional innovation strategies
We provide matching services so that equipment for trial manufacture, development and assessment of
functional foods and medical equipment at various institutions in the Hokuriku region can be utilized smoothly
according to need.
High-speed AFM
Hokuriku Life Science Cluster
August 2013 – March 2018
We provide support for practical application of research results as
well as other broad-based support including the securing of R&D
funds by our support team and organic linking of research themes.
Advisors possessing specialist knowledge provide specific advice
and other support with respect to patent applications to secure
intellectual property and utilization of the Pharmaceutical Affairs
Act and Foods for Specified Health Uses ( FOSHU ) .
Support for sharing of research facilities and equipment of
local universities and other research institutions
Consolidation of clusters
Hokuriku Innovation Cluster for
Health Science
Establishment of knowledge networks of universities and
other research institutions
Establishment of
treatment methods
Collaboration with
overseas regions
Basel, Switzerland
Jena, Germany
London, England
Sydney, Australia
Others
International Technology and Trend Study Unit
In order to form a life science cluster in Hokuriku, it is also important
that we collaborate widely with other regions and foreign countries and
share technology and information in our fields of specialty. Up to this
point, we have promoted joint research and other specific collaboration
with clusters from Hokkaido, Nagano, Kurume, Jena ( Germany ) and
Basel ( Switzerland ) , as well as various foreign universities.
This project is a visionary effort for other regions and countries that will be facing aging societies, and it is
expected that the results will be incorporated in business development in Japan and other countries. For that
reason, we will establish an International Technology and Trend Study Unit to study the international
competitiveness of technologies and market trends, reviewing our R&D policy and business plans.
Concentration of researchers who play core roles in regional innovation strategies
Development of immunomodulatory drugs targeting the
innate immune system utilizing newly identified TLR ligands
Prevention
Chronic inflammation causes and exacerbates the development of many diseases, including
Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes and lifestyle-related diseases. Our goal is to develop medicines
or functional foods useful for the treatment of obesity and diabetes based on natural
products that suppress chronic inflammation in immune and metabolic systems. We will also
synthesize derivatives from compounds identified in our research in aims of developing
immunomodulatory drugs effective in protecting against infectious diseases and treating
cancer. We will analyze the pharmacological actions of natural medicine candidates at the
molecular and cellular levels and work on development preemptive treatments.
Development and application of a new method for identifying
antigen-specific antibody-producing cells
Treatment
Development of an anti-inflammatory agent
using metabolic engineering
Treatment
Diagnosis
Sakaki Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology,
Faculty of Engineering, Toyama Prefectural University
[ Invitation of researcher from TOPU BIO RESEARCH Co., Ltd. ]
The Safety Testing of Drug Metabolites guidance published by the American FDA in 2008
states that there is a need for safety testing of human metabolites or reactive metabolites.
The goal of this program will be to dramatically improve the productivity of hydroxides,
glucuronate conjugates, sulfate conjugates and other metabolites, and to develop them as
medicines. Metabolites frequently demonstrate greater medicinal effects than the original
compounds, so the purpose will especially be to develop anti-inf lammatory agents to
suppress chronic inflammation that leads to canceration.
Base research of the metabolic chip development to
diagnose severity of a lifestyle-related disease
Treatment
Kaneko Laboratory, Graduate School of Medicine, Kanazawa University
Department of Disease Control and Homeostasis
Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medical Science
[ Invitation of researcher from the National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology ]
Collapse of a system which maintains the homeostasis of the energy metabolism of a
living body is deeply concerned with the onset of cancer and lifestyle-related disease.
Therefore, it is indispensable knowledge to understand the mechanism of this energy
metabolism breakdown and to catch those signs, when carrying out prevention, early
detection of a disease, and a therapy evaluation. The purpose of this program is to put a
met abol ic ch ip i n prac t ic a l u se by c ol laborat ion w it h a c ohor t st udy, a bioch ip
research-and-development group, and a bio-venture company.
Measuring
instrument
Sensor
Measuring chip
Takeuchi Laboratory, Medical Research Institute,
Kanazawa Medical University
[ Invitation of researcher from Kyoto University graduate schools ]
Prevention of lifestyle-related
diseases by inhibiting glycation!
Metabolic
syndrome
Lifestylerelated
disease
Pre-disease
Healthy
Oxidative stress
Aging
Kikuta Laboratory, Faculty of Medical Sciences,
University of Fukui
[ Invitation of researcher from Charmant Inc. ]
Miyamoto Laboratory, Faculty of Medical Sciences,
University of Fukui
[ Invitation of researcher from National Cardiovascular Research Center ]
Natriuretic peptides are currently being applied in clinical settings as a treatment
for heart failure, but they have recently drawn attention based on reports that they
can inhibit metastasis of lung cancer. In this program, we will focus on uterine and
ovarian cancer and perform basic and clinical studies using these peptides. We will
use animal studies to verify what kind of effects they have on uterine and ovarian
cancer so that we can tie the results into clinical application.
Development of verification technology supporting advanced
irradiation used in proton therapy for cancer treatment
Treatment
Nanodevice material
Titanium is a metal with low bioreactivity and is an ideal material for surgical implants.
However, up until now, titanium dental implants, artificial joints, vascular stents and other such
implants have used titanium of uniform hardness, so compatibility with the body has been
lacking. In this program, we aim to manufacture ideal surgical implants with elasticity and
flexibility by joining titanium of varying hardnesses using lasers and other means.
New cancer treatment strategy using natriuretic peptides
Treatment
Target molecule
Solution
It has been discovered that of the glycation endproducts synthesized within the body, those of
the group called TAGE are strongly tied to the onset and progression of complications
associated with diabetes. The aim of this program will be to identify the relationship between
lifestyle and the mechanism of TAGE generation/accumulation as well as the progression of
complications, and to utilize that knowledge in the development of new methods of prevention
and treatment in order to contribute to prevention and early diagnosis of lifestyle-related
diseases.
Manufacture of highly biocompatible surgical implants through micromachining
of titanium and use of technology for joining different titanium parts
Tobe Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toyama
[ Invitation of researcher from Toyama Chemical Co., Ltd. ]
Astaxanthin is an antioxidant found in large quantities in salmon, trout, crustaceans and
other seafood. A lthough only partial, it has been reported to have a preventive and
treatment effect on diabetes and other lifestyle-related diseases. It is also known that
dementia, which will become a greater problem in an aging society, is deeply related to
diabetes. In this program, we will develop functional foods to prevent dementia by
assessing the preventive effects of astaxanthin and clarifying its action.
We will develop new high-sensitivity biosensors to detect target biomaterial from blood
and saliva.
In recent years, the potential applications of biosensing have greatly expanded through the
development of new materials such as nano-carbon, oxide semiconductor and aptamers. In
this program, we will develop new high-sensitivity sensor devices and will complete an
integrated nano-bio-sensing system utilizing micro channel and other technologies that will
allow even non-specialist users to easily perform tests for lifestyle-related and other
diseases.
Involvement of toxic AGEs ( TAGE ) as new targets in the onset and
progression of lifestyle-related diseases and inhibition thereof
Diagnosis
Takamura Laboratory, School of Materials Science,
Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology
[ Invitation of researcher from the University of Tokyo ]
Severity of illness
Prevention
Diagnosis
Isobe Laboratory, Graduate School of
Science and Engineering for Research, University of Toyama
[ Invitation of researcher from Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd. ]
In t his program, we w ill develop a new met hod of identif y ing antigen-specif ic
antibody-producing cells, even where only a small number exist within the body.
If we are successful in developing this method, it will be possible to reliably identify
antigen-specific antibody-producing cells not only in humans but in any animal as well.
This will dramatically facilitate the search for antibody candidates useful for diagnosing
and treating cancer and will allow us to significantly accelerate the development of
therapeutic antibodies, diagnostic antibodies and research reagents.
Development of functional foods for the prevention of
dementia with antioxidants
Creation of a point-of-care nano-bio-sensing system using
innovative integrated devices to achieve a healthy and aging society
Takatsu Laboratory, Department of Immunobiology and
Pharmacological Genetics, University of Toyama
[ Invitation of researchers from Teika Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. ]
Uterine sarcoma cells
Natriuretic
peptides
Metastatic
lesion
Invasion
Blood
vessel
Vascularization
Attachment
Particle Beam Therapy Study Group,
Wakasa Wan Energy Research Center
[ Invitation of researchers ]
A dose concentration at tumor volume can be achieved in proton therapy, which is drawing attention as a non-invasive cancer
treatment with a higher quality of life.
In order to further bring out the characteristics of this treatment, it will be necessary to develop advanced irradiation methods
and establish multimodal treatment. In this program, we will
Tumor
de velop ne w i r r ad i at ion me t ho d s suc h a s l ayer s t ac k i ng
volume
irradiation, compare the biological effect with that of X-rays and
perform basic research on combination with chemical treatments.
Proton beam
We will use the results to advance and spread proton therapy.
Project Promotion System
Hokuriku Life Science Cluster Promotion Council
Isao Nagahara
Chairperson
Advisers
Governor of Toyama
Governor of Ishikawa
Governor of Fukui
Comprising organizations : Industry groups, universities, technical colleges, research institutes, prefectural governments,
industrial support organizations, financial institutions, etc. ( 37 groups )
General coordinating organization
Hokuriku Industrial Advancement Center
Hokuriku Life Science Cluster Promotion Office
( Toyama and Fukui Branch )
Advisory board
Project
director
Supervisory coordinator
( invitation of researchers )
Preventive system
development - 2 labs
Hokuriku Life Science Cluster Promotion Office
Yukihiro Fukui
■ Project Director
Yujiro Hayashi
■ Special Advisor
■ General Coordinator / Assistant Project Director
Seishi Murakami
Kihachiro Tohbo
■ Regional Alliance Coordinator
Bunsei Kawakami
Kenji Sawayanagi
Yuki Kunioka
Hiroshi Takamori
Regional cooperation coordinator
Gathering of researchers that will play a central role
Support
from the
national
government
Hokuriku Life Science Cluster Promotion Council
■ Isao Nagahara, Chairperson
Diagnostic system
development - 3 labs
Assistance
Treatment system
development - 5 labs
Development of knowledge network
Toyama Prefecture
Collaboration
Ishikawa Prefecture
Fukui Prefecture
● R&D support
● Patent support
● Commercialization support ● Regional / international collaboration support
Regional
projects
Ministry of Education,
Culture, Sports,
Science and Technology
Toyama New Industry
Organization
Human resource development
Sharing of research facilities and equipment
International Technology and Trend Study Unit
Collaboration
Ishikawa Sunrise Industries
Creation Organization
Fukui Industrial
Support Center
Hokuriku Life Science Cluster Promotion Council
( Industry ) Toyama Pharmaceutical Association, Toyama Prefectural Machinery and Electronic Industries Association, Toyama Prefectural Plastic Industries Association, Toyama
Aluminum Industrial Association, Textile And Fashion Toyama Association, Ishikawa Machinery & Electronics Association, Ishikawa Textile Association, Ishikawa Food Association,
Ishikawa Information System Association, Fukui Optical Association, Fukui Textile Association, Fukui Iron Works Cooperative Union ( Academia ) University of Toyama, Toyama
Prefectural University, Toyama National College of Technology, Kanazawa University, Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Kanazawa Institute of Technology,
Kanazawa Medical University, Ishikawa Prefectural Public University Corporation, Ishikawa Prefectural Nursing University, Ishikawa National College of Technology, University of
Fukui, Fukui Prefectural University, Fukui University of Technology, Fukui National College of Technology, Wakasa Wan Energy Research Center ( Government ) Toyama Prefecture,
Ishikawa Prefecture, Fukui Prefecture, Toyama New Industry Organization, Ishikawa Sunrise Industries Creation Organization, Fukui Industrial Support Center ( Financial ) Hokuriku
Bank, Hokkoku Bank, Fukui Bank ( General coordinating organization ) Hokuriku Industrial Advancement Center
Contact / Inquiries
General coordinating organization
Toyama Prefecture
Hokuriku Industrial Advancement Center
Hokuriku Life Science Cluster Promotion Office
Hokkoku Bldg. 2-2-15 Katamachi, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture,
920-1121 Japan
Tel: +81-76-210-7400 Fax: +81-76-210-7450
Industry Planning Division,
Commerce Industry & Labor Department,
Toyama Prefectural Government
1-7 Sogawa, Toyama City, Toyama Prefecture, 930-8501 Japan
Tel: +81-76-444-3245 Fax: +81-76-444-4401
Toyama Branch
Ishikawa Prefecture
Toyama New Industry Organization 529 Takata, Toyama City, Toyama Prefecture,
930-0866 Japan
Hokuriku Life Science Cluster Toyama Branch
Tel: +81-76-444-5653 Fax: +81-76-444-5630
Industrial Policy Division, Commerce,
Industry and Labour Department,
Ishikawa Prefectural Government
1-1 Kuratsuki, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture, 920-8580 Japan
Tel: +81-76-225-1513 Fax: +81-76-225-1514
Fukui Branch
Fukui Industrial Support Center
61 Kawai Washizuka, Fukui City, Fukui Prefecture, 910-0102 Japan
Mobile Phone: +81-90-2038-3049
Tel: +81-776-55-1555
Fax: +81-776-55-1878
Fukui Prefecture
Local Industry and Technology Promotion Section,
Industry and Labor Department, Fukui Prefectural Government
3-17-1 Ote, Fukui City, Fukui Prefecture, 910-8580 Japan
Tel: +81-776-20-0374 Fax: +81-776-20-0646