The mission of Biomedical Cluster Kansai is to focus on the principal
issues of drug discovery, regenerative medicine and the prevention of
lifestyle-related diseases. Accomplishing this mission requires the collaboration
of the research and developmental activities of both northern Osaka (Saito)
and Kobe; the former's contribution is work on drug discovery, based
on seeds originating from their superb research, while the latter is
in charge of regenerative medicine and the prevention of lifestyle-related
diseases. Through the partnership of the two areas, we strive towards
establishing an international biomedical cluster.
The Kansai area has a concentration of world-leading universities,
research institutions and pharmaceutical firms. Because of its sophisticated
cultural background, the Kansai area has been the central site of world
class discoveries and achievements made by outstanding researchers in
the biomedical field, thus playing an important role in the development
of medical supplies and technologies. In June 2007, the secondary stage
of the Knowledge Cluster Initiative was launched by the Ministry of Education,
Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. Building upon the accomplishments
of the first stage of the project (2002-2006) and possessing the world's
most advanced infrastructure, drug discovery research and the use of
cutting edge medical treatments have been progressing with the aim of
initiating a liaison with overseas clusters for a further expansion of
international research and business networks.
Project Director: Tsutomu TAKAGI
It has been the mission of Biomedical Cluster Kansai
to establish an innovative new biomedical cluster for research and development
activities in the field of health and medicine, in liaison with the
advanced health care and pharmaceutical research centers in Kobe and
in Northern Osaka (Saito).
One of the most effective strategies to promote this
vision is building industry-academia-government partnerships. This initiative
is based on the fact that private companies probable perform less effective
in developing new medicines and exploring related technologies without
active collaboration with universities and governments. Innovation in
the pharmaceutical and medical/health equipment fields is costly and
time-consuming, and universities and governmental institutions/agencies
make an enormous contribution, especially in the fundamental research.
The vision of the Biomedical Cluster Kansai includes
community development, fostering people, who can contribute to the sustainability
of our Cluster.
As Project Director, I am delighted to devote myself to realize the vision of Biomedical Cluster Kansai as a model for talented biomedical clusters worldwide.
| Name of the program | Program for Fostering Regional Innovation |
|---|---|
| Name of the Project | Biomedical Cluster Kansai |
| Term | FY2007-FY2011 |
| The core organization | Northern Osaka (Saito) region : Senri Life ScienceFoundation Kobe region : Foundation for Biomedical Research and Innovation |
| Organization to promote this Plan | President: Tadamitsu KISHIMOTO (President of
Senri Life Science Foundation) Advisor: Hiroo IMURA (President of Foundation for Biomedical Research and Innovation) Research Directors:Northern Osaka (Saito) region/ Kouichi YAMANISHI (Director General, National Institute of Biomedical Innovation) Kobe region/ Shinichi NISHIKAWA (Vice Chairperson of The Generation and Regenerative Science Center /Physical and Chemical Research Institution) |
| The Major Research organizations | Osaka City University , Uninersity, of the Ryukyus, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, Shiga University of Medical Science, Hyogo College of Medicine National Institute of Biomedical Innovation(NIBIO), National Cardiovascular Center, RIKEN Center for Developmental Biology(CDB),National Hospital Organization Osaka National Hospital, National Hospital Organization Kyoto Medical Center, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Joslin Diabetes Center, Foundation for Biomedical Research and Innovation, Medicon Valley Alliance, RIKEN Center for Molecular Imaging Science, Translational Research Informatics Center |
