Shinkiba Lab is trying to develop new antibody drugs for blood cancer.
First of all, please give me an overview of your company.
Meiji Seika Falma Tsuchiya: In line with the reorganization of the business with Meiji Co., Ltd. (former Meiji Seika Kaisha, Ltd., former Meiji Dairy Co., Ltd.), which manufactures and sells confectionery, food, dairy products, etc., the company was established as a company in charge of the manufacture and sale of ethical drugs in particular. KM Biologics Co., Ltd., which inherits the vaccine and blood products business from the Chemical and Serum Therapy Research Institute (Kakoken), is currently working with the company to develop new drugs. Our specialty areas are infectious diseases and mental and nervous system diseases, but more recently we are also challenging new areas such as vaccines, immunoinflammation and malignant tumors.
Meiji Seika Falma Chikata: In hematology, we believe that antimicrobial drugs are actively used to prevent infectious diseases, so we can expect synergistic effects with existing businesses, and we are focusing on research and development in the area of blood cancer for malignant tumors. This is an introduction from other companies, but some products have already been launched on the market.
Meiji Seika Falma Ishida: In fact, I used to be in the Department of Hematology at Iwate Medical University and treated many blood cancer patients. Even though he retired from the university, he still treats patients once a week as a part-time doctor at Tokyo Metropolitan Sumito Hospital. Although I am inexperienced in drug discovery research, I understand how to treat blood cancer and the drugs that are needed in the field, so I spend every day at Shinkiba Lab to discuss the ideal way of new drugs with young researchers.
Holding safety seminars and various lectures in the lab is a great study.
You already have a laboratory, but please tell us about the role of the new lab.
Meiji Seika Falma Chikata: Shinkiba Lab is engaged in research and development of antibody drugs. Our research on antibodies is still in its early stages, and I think we will hit the wall many times in the future, but with the help of other companies working at Shinkiba Lab, we understand that it is a role for our researchers to grow seeds for new drugs and make Hanasaki Kashi eventually.
Please tell us why you decided to move into Mitsui Link Lab Shinkiba 1.
Meiji Seika Falma Tsuchiya: The reason is ‘place’. In research and development of blood cancer, I wanted to promote it in an open environment, and with the help of teachers who are familiar with blood cancer treatment, I also wanted to take on the challenge of "open innovation" that is working on the development of new drugs. Shinkiba Lab is close to Tokyo Station and Haneda Airport, and has good access from academics in the Kanto region. We decided here because it is excellent in moving with the Tokyo Head Office (Chuo-ku).
Please let us know if there is a point that you learned when you moved in, "This is good at Shinkiba Lab."
Meiji Seika Falma Tsuchiya: One of the good things about Shinkiba Lab is that the Mitsui Link Lab will actively hold seminars on safety education and handling of dangerous goods. Our research institutes also invite external lecturers to conduct workshops, but in terms of cost and labor, it is quite difficult to operate the workshop. During the lunch break, we also had the opportunity to listen to the broadcast of lectures by prominent teachers (sponsored by Link-J), which helped us in our open innovation route.
Meiji Seika Falma Terashima-sama: Waste management and facility management were quite a burden, and in the past, it was difficult for researchers to do so on their own. Mitsui Link Lab is a wonderful environment in which all facilities are operated by the lab side, so researchers can concentrate on research alone. There is also a lecture (sponsored by Link-J) on topics that are highly related to current research, such as triple-specific antibodies, so it will be a great study. There are always science-related magazines in Japan and overseas at the cafe booth in the hall, and I am grateful that you can easily read science magazines after taking a break.
Do you have any exchanges with other companies working in the same Link Lab Shinkiba 1?
Meiji Seika Falma Chikata: Unfortunately, we have not yet developed a specific contract, but for example, we had the opportunity to consult about the safety and effectiveness of antibody drugs. In order to refer to the design of our lab, I had the opportunity to tour the labs of other companies under the intermediary of Mitsui Link Lab. This is also a rental lab that has multiple tenants, so it is possible to interact with each other. Regarding daily exchanges, we are increasing the number of people who can greet when they meet in a shared space, etc. at social gatherings.
We hope to continue to grow together with Mitsui Link Lab.
Finally, please tell us about the future you want to realize at Mitsui Link Lab.
Meiji Seika Falma Ishida: We would like to create antibody drugs that lead to "curing" blood cancer from the site of Mitsui Link Lab Shinkiba 1. Even today, there are several treatments that achieve "remission", but few drugs can achieve "healing". As a result of discussions with the researchers, Shinkiba Lab has been trying for the past few years, "Let's make a drug that can cure blood cancer." This is not only a company's goal, but also a researcher's dream.
Meiji Seika Falma Terashima-sama: As one of the researchers at Shinkiba Lab, I would like to take advantage of the wonderful environment for Mitsui Link Lab Shinkiba 1 to make the current project successful. There are various other tenant companies in the lab, so I would like to work on joint research with other companies.
Meiji Seika Falma Tsuchiya: We are currently taking on the challenge of creating new drugs in the blood cancer field through Mitsui Link Lab Shinkiba1, and at the same time, I think this lab business is a new challenge for Mitsui Fudosan. As we work together to grow together, we hope that the location of Shinkiba will become the foundation for fostering the life science industry in Japan. I would like to have a relationship that will continue to grow together for that day.
