Established Teijin Regennett as an operating company specializing in CDMO products such as regenerative medicine
Could you tell me the history of your company's establishment and business?
Teijin Rigennet Hirai: While considering the next business development, Teijin has extracted the keyword "biomonozukuri". Based on the chemistry that combines the power of biotechnology, we are proud of. On the other hand, in 2021, J-TEC, which has been engaged in commercialization of regenerative medicine and other products for more than 20 years, became the Teijin Group company. As a result, the feasibility of biotechnology has been further enhanced. Under these circumstances, we established Teijin Regennett Co., Ltd., based on the idea that it is best to clarify our responsibilities to customers and establish a company specializing in this business that enables quick response.
Teijin Ligennet Sato: Our business is CDMO for regenerative medicine and other products, primarily cell pharmaceuticals. We do everything from seed projection to manufacturing samples for non-clinical research and clinical research, drug manufacturing, and commercial production.
It seems that the business will be developed in collaboration with J-TEC.
Teijin Rigennet Hirai: Yes, we and J-TEC will have a collaborative effort. In doing so, I would like to make Mitsui Link Lab Kashiwanoha 1 the center of regenerative medicine for the Teijin Group. Here we and J-TEC members cooperate with each other and achieve solid results. For that purpose, I would like you to be involved in J-TEC from the launch of the lab, and I have Mr. Ikeura and other J-TEC members also participate.
Mitsui Link Lab Kashiwanoha 1 is adjacent to the National Cancer Research Center. Do you want to focus on cancer first?
Teijin Rigennet Hirai: It is certain that the focus is on that location. However, J-TEC products include transplantation epidermis and cartilage, as well as CAR-T cell products for cancer. In cooperation with J-TEC, which has not only technical skills, but also research and development capabilities to produce products, and pharmaceutical capabilities, we will enhance our system to respond to customer feedback in areas other than cancer.
We want to support our customers up to the launch of our products. Mitsui Link Lab Kashiwanoha 1 is the base for this purpose.
What are the characteristics and strengths of your company in the CDMO business for regenerative medicine?
Teijin Rigennet Hirai: Based on Mitsui Link Lab Kashiwa-no-ha1, we will provide solid support to the launch of products while accompany customers.
In the commercialization of general regenerative medicine and other products, we often aim to achieve ultra-high performance, such as the finest sports car. But then, the market will be limited. In order to be established as a business, it is necessary to incorporate luxury vehicle technology into popular vehicles that balances performance and price, to speak. The same applies to regenerative medicine and other products. It is important to discuss and understand this situation with our customers and start development while understanding each other. This laboratory is a place where we can fully engage in dialogue and study for that purpose, and we believe that this is our major feature and strength.
What role does Mitsui Link Lab Kashiwanoha 1 play?
Teijin Rigennet Hirai: Here, we cover everything from early stages of nonclinical research to clinical practice. Specifically, it will be a manufacturing facility for clinical research samples and clinical trial drugs under the GMP system in accordance with the Safety Assurance Act (Law Concerning the Safety of Regenerative Medicine, etc.). Currently, we are preparing to apply for a production permit for specific cell processing products based on the Act, with the goal of obtaining approval in the summer of 2024. If you are interested, please feel free to contact us.
What is your outlook for the future?
Teijin Rigennet Hirai: The first step is to cultivate customers and put our business on track, but we hope to expand the base of regenerative medicine in Japan in the future. To that end, we are now building a platform for regenerative medicine here with a teacher at the National Cancer Research Center. While sharing work such as sample production for clinical research at our CPC (Self-Processing Center), we have many other players participate and develop regenerative medical products one after another while discussing together. I want to go.
The city is beautiful. This is also the decisive factor in choosing Mitsui Link Lab Kashiwanoha 1
Mitsui Link Lab Kashiwanoha 1 What was the trigger of moving in?
Teijin Rigennet Hirai: Together with Mitsui Fudosan and the National Cancer Center, we can work on a new platform for regenerative medicine platform was very attractive.
From here, it is my personal impression, but when I got off at Tsukuba Express's Kashiwanoha Campus Station, the city was good! It looked very pretty. I think it's quite important that the city is clean. Because, as you start up a new business with other members, you will surely encounter a lot of difficult things as well as good things. Even in such a case, if you get off the station and the beautiful city is spreading, your motivation will naturally increase. In this respect, Kashiwa-no-ha met my feelings.
Please tell us your impressions after moving in.
J-TEC Mr. Ikeura: I moved here and started to live near Kashiwanoha Campus Station. It is very comfortable to commute on foot while walking along the beautiful cityscape. I like the cafe terrace on the first floor of the link lab. It is refreshing to talk with other staff members.
Teijin Ligennet Sato: If you just have a job like us at work, you tend to be unable to breathe. However, there are plenty of common spaces in the facilities, where you can talk with people you know, so it's a good idea to relax and change your mind.
It's not just after you move in, but you have also experienced exchanges and encounters with other tenants.
Teijin Ligennet Sato: I moved in at the end of October 2023, and a small party was held at that time. When I asked Mitsui Fudosan to talk to other tenants, many people came and I was glad to be able to talk a lot about it.
Teijin Rigennet Hirai: We are also scientists, so if you touch the state-of-the-art story, you'll get rid of it. Therefore, even if the fields are different, being able to listen and discuss stories in such places is stimulating, and it is a very attractive space because it leads to new perspectives and ideas.
I am also a member of LINK-J, a life science-related exchange platform.
Teijin Rigennet Hirai: We publish announcements such as our own events and news using the LINK-J site. Also, if you find an interesting event at LINK-J, you can deploy it within the company so that you can participate freely.
I hope this kind of lab will be the starting point for Japanese new industries.
Please tell us what you expect from Mitsui Link Lab.
Teijin Rigennet Hirai: Co-creation of companies and their business development are being actively conducted in various fields, including regenerative medicine, and I hope that Mitsui Link Lab will create a successful example of successful cases. It would be nice if this kind of laboratory will be able to start new Japanese industries and related businesses from such labs. That's what I want now.
Of course, we will take on the challenge, but the cooperation of Mitsui Fudosan and the companies in this laboratory is essential. We will continue to work toward our ideals while working together with you.