The company name is derived from "tounding fork".
First of all, please give me an overview of your company.
Tune Fork Biohikiji, : Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. is a Japanese subsidiary of Tuning Fork Bio, Inc., which was established in the United States as a new company responsible for the medical and health sectors of Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. Using "antibody profiling technology" created through joint research with Fukushima Medical University, we aim to build a system necessary for early diagnosis of diseases and the realization of personalized medicine. Specifically, antibodies contained in blood and saliva are comprehensively profiling antibodies contained in blood and saliva, we find biomarkers that can predict 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 unique bioinformatics technology. When measuring multiple antibody data in the blood using the former technology, the latter technology selects antibodies that are particularly suitable for biomarkers, and are used to diagnose diseases. In the field of disease, Ammet Medical needs focuses on high cancers and central nervous system diseases, and is currently challenging R&D in this area.
Could you tell us about the characteristics of your technology?
Tune Fork Biohikiji, : Exploration of biomarkers that tell us the state of the body is progressing around the world, and various biomarkers are used, from genes to metabolites. In our case, we use antibodies, one type of proteins. The advantage of using antibodies in biomarkers lies not only in the current state of health, but also the possibility of past illnesses and future diseases. In addition, Yamaha Motor, our parent company, specializes in data science, and our strength is that we can use artificial intelligence for data analysis, and our strengths.
Please tell us about the origin of the company name.
Tune Fork Biohikiji, : The tuning fork of the company name is "tuning fork (an instrument used to tuning musical instruments)". Since Yamaha was originally born as a musical instrument manufacturer, the tuning fork was designed for the logo of the independent motor division (Yamaha Motor) logo. Therefore, we named Tune Fork Bio, which is based on the concept of "tuning" people's health, in the sense of inheriting Yamaha's spirit and using antibody profiling technology called antibody profiling.
Why did Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. established a medical technology company?
Tune Fork Biohikiji, : Yamaha Motor's main business is motorcycle and other products, but in fact, it has been developing its own business in the medical and health fields for a long time, such as developing its own cell handler, a handling device for cell culture work. The joint research with Fukushima Medical University also started with the development of applications to utilize the device. Later, when combined with micro-array technology from the university, the idea was born that new innovation would be born, and our company was born to take on the challenge of commercialization in earnest.
Since there is a common equipment room, you can experiment immediately.
How did you move into Mitsui Link Lab Shinkiba 2?
Tune Fork Biohikiji, : Initially, we decided to set up our headquarters in the Tokyo metropolitan area. Yamaha Motor's headquarters is located in Iwata City, Shizuoka Prefecture, but there is no denying 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 are that there is a start-up space, a common equipment room, and excellent traffic access.
Please let me know if you have any "benefits of lab" that you actually felt when you moved in.
Tuning Folk Bio Kunie: I am very grateful to be able to use the common equipment room. It is quite difficult to prepare all the necessary laboratory equipment and detectors on your own. In that regard, if you are Shinkiba Lab, you can start the experiment immediately after moving in. In addition, Mitsui Link Lab provided us with the first experience of setting up a new laboratory, and Mitsui Link Lab supported us in various ways. This was also a great help.
Tuning folk bio-Fujiwara: The building itself is very clean, especially for the new building, and the communication lounge is very comfortable. If you go to the lounge and take a break between experiments and work, you can feel a very good change and feel like "Let's do our best again in the afternoon!"
Tune Folk Bio Kameoka: There are plenty of facilities inside the building. Due to the location of Shinkiba, there are not many places where you can eat outside of the station, but there is a café inside the building and lunch is also prepared, so you can easily eat inside the building. The view from the lounge is also good, and on a clear day, you can enjoy a meal while enjoying the outside scenery. There is also an unmanned convenience store, so you can use it at night.
We want to deliver technologies from Fukushima to the global healthcare industry
Could you tell us about your future developments?
Tune Fork Biohikiji, : We plan to start providing contract analysis services using protein microarray technology by the end of this year. In the future, we are considering the direction of commercializing the biomarkers we discovered. This project has already been adopted by the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (Industry-Academia-Government Joint Type) by the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development, and we plan to further deepen our technology in the future.
Are you participating in events such as social gatherings?
Tune Folk Bio Kameoka: Actually, last year I was busy with the launch of lab, so I couldn't participate in exchange meetings. From this year, I would like to participate in this event.
Tune Fork Biohikiji, : I would like to participate in this event. Actually, before, there was an event in the Shinkiba Lab cafeteria where I happened to meet again with a person who was once my boss. After a long time, I learned that he was also enrolled in a startup in Shinkiba Lab. I hope that these encounters will help expand the network that connects people.
Finally, what are your goals and prospects for the future?
Tune Fork Biohikiji, : Our future dream is to deliver our antibody profiling technology to people around the world. The Company was founded in Great East Japan Earthquake's reconstruction support project, "Fukushima Pharmaceutical-related Industrial Support Center Project (Fukushima Project)" and has also received the title of a venture originating from Fukushima Medical University. In order to meet everyone's expectations for reconstruction, I would like to continue working hard with the desire to "delivery new technologies born from Fukushima to the world's healthcare industry."
