The company name is derived from the tuning fork.
First of all, please give me an overview of your company.
Tuning fork Biohikiji: The Company is a Japanese subsidiary of Tuning Fork Bio, which was established in the United States as a new company responsible for the medical and health departments of Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. Using antibody profiling technology, which was created through joint research with Fukushima Medical University, we aim to build systems necessary for early diagnosis of diseases and the realization of personalized medicine. Specifically, we comprehensively profil the antibodies contained in blood and saliva, find biomarkers that lead to prediction of future disease risks and therapeutic effects, and use them for early diagnosis and personalized medicine.
Our antibody profiling technology was created by combining the protein microarray technology developed at Fukushima Medical University with Yamaha's proprietary bioinformatics technology. When multiple antibody data in the blood is measured using the former technology, the latter technology selects antibodies that are particularly suitable for biomarkers and uses them to diagnose diseases. In the field of disease, we focus on cancer and central nervous system diseases with high unmet medical needs, and we are currently working on research and development in this field.
Please tell us about the characteristics of your technology.
Tuning fork Biohikiji: Research on biomarkers that tell the state of the body is progressing all over the world, and various biomarkers are used from genes to metabolites, but in our case, we use antibodies, one type of protein. The advantage of using antibodies in biomarkers is that it is possible to grasp not only the current health condition but also the possibility of past illnesses and future illnesses. Our strength is that Yamaha Motor, our parent company, excels in data science, and we can use artificial intelligence for data analysis and utilize the company's technology.
Please tell us about the origin of the company name.
Tuning fork Biohikiji: The tuning fork of the company name refers to "tuning fork (equipment used for tuning musical instruments)". Since Yamaha was originally born as an instrument manufacturer, tuning fork was also designed in the logo of Yamaha Motor Co. Therefore, in the sense of inheriting the spirit of Yamaha, we also named it Tuning Folk Bio with the idea of "tuning" people's health using antibody profiling technology.
Why did Yamaha Motor create a medical technology company?
Tuning fork Biohikiji: Yamaha Motor's main business is motorcycle and other products, but we have been developing our own cell handler, a handling device used for cell culture work, and in fact, we have been operating in the medical and health fields for a long time. The joint research with Fukushima Medical University began with the development of an application for the use of this device, with the "cell handler" at the edge. After that, we came up with the idea of creating new innovations if we combined it with microarray technology from the university, and we were born to take on the challenge of commercialization in earnest.
Since there is a common equipment room, experiments can be conducted immediately.
Please tell us how you moved into Mitsui Link Lab Shinkiba 2.
Tuning fork Biohikiji: In establishing the Company, we had decided to head office in the Tokyo metropolitan area from the beginning. Yamaha Motor's headquarters is located in Iwata City, Shizuoka Prefecture, but it is undeniable that it is disadvantageous in terms of securing healthcare personnel and building networks. Therefore, I searched for a place in the Tokyo metropolitan area and finally moved into Mitsui Link Lab Shinkiba 2. The reasons for this are that there is a dedicated startup section, a common equipment room, and excellent traffic access.
Please let me know if there are any "the advantages of the lab" that you actually felt when you moved in.
Tuning Folk Bio Kunieda: I am very grateful to be able to use the common equipment room. It would be quite difficult to prepare all the necessary experimental equipment and detectors on your own. In that regard, if you are at Shinkiba Lab, you can start experimenting immediately after moving in. Also, for us, the work of setting up a new laboratory was only my first experience, and the Mitsui Link Lab members provided various support in various aspects of various procedures. This was also very helpful.
Tuning Folk Bio Mr. Fujiwara: The building itself is very beautiful just for new construction, and the comfort of the communication lounge is very good. If you go to the lounge and take a break between experiments and work, you will have a very good refreshment and feel like "Let's do our best again in the afternoon!"
Tuning Fork Bio Kameoka: There are plenty of facilities in the building. There are not many places where you can eat outside of the station because of the location of Shinkiba, but there is a cafe inside the building and lunch is also prepared, so you can easily eat inside the building. The view from the lounge is good, and on a clear day, enjoy the outside scenery and eat. There are also unmanned convenience stores, so we use them at night.
We want to deliver technologies from Fukushima to the healthcare industry around the world
Please tell us about your future development.
Tuning fork Biohikiji: We plan to start providing contracted analysis services using protein microarray technology by the end of the year. Furthermore, in the future, we are considering the direction of commercializing the biomarkers we discover. This project has already been adopted by the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development in Innovative Medical Technology Research and Development (industry-academia-government joint type), and we plan to further deepen our technology in the future.
Are you participating in events such as exchange meetings?
Tuning Fork Bio Kameoka: Actually, last year I was busy setting up a lab, so I couldn't participate in exchange meetings very much. From this year, I would like to participate in this event.
Tuning fork Biohikiji: I would like to participate. Actually, before, there was an event in the cafeteria of Shinkiba Lab where I happened to meet someone who was once my boss. After talking for the first time in a long time, I learned that he is also a startup in Shinkiba Lab. I also hope that the network connecting people will expand, triggered by these encounters.
Finally, what are your goals and prospects for the future?
Tuning fork Biohikiji: Our future dream is to deliver our antibody profiling technology to people around the world. The Company was born out of Great East Japan Earthquake's reconstruction support project “Fukushima Pharmaceutical-related Industrial Support Base Project (Fukushima Business)” and received the title of a venture from Fukushima Medical University. In order to meet the expectations of everyone involved in reconstruction, I would like to continue to do my best with the idea of "delivering new technologies born from Fukushima to the healthcare industry around the world."
