Development of a variety of businesses, from blood tests to cancer genetic testing and surgical support robots
First of all, please tell us about your history and business.
Sysmex Mr. Naito: Our company's headwater dates back to Toa Special Electric Co., Ltd., a leading company in loudspeakers. At that time, Vice President Taro Nakatani conducted an overseas tour in search of hints for new business. When we learn that the healthcare equipment industry is thriving in the United States, we decided to make this the center of our new business and set up a laboratory for the development of medical equipment within the company. The first product we developed was an automatic blood cell counting device. Since then, the medical equipment business has continued to grow steadily, and in 1968 it became independent as Toa Medical Electronics Co., Ltd. Later, the company name was changed to Sysmex Corporation, and it continues to this day.
Mr. Sysmex Matsuda: Our business domains are expanding into the world of genetic testing, including immune tests, blood coagulation tests, and cancer gene panel tests. In addition, Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd., a leading industrial robot manufacturer, jointly established Medicaloid Co., Ltd. Currently, we are challenging a wide range of healthcare businesses, from clinical testing to therapeutic technology, such as by taking on the challenge of developing surgical support robots that are oligopoly by foreign companies.
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Established Shinkiba Lab with the aim of collaborating with healthcare players in the Kanto region.
What made you decide to move into Mitsui Link Lab Shinkiba 2?
Sysmex Mr. Naito: Our main R&D base is located in Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture, which is the same as our head office, and we have been promoting open innovation with Kansai-based players such as Kobe University and Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd.. Therefore, we have decided to open our lab “Healthcare Science Hub Tokyo” (abbreviation: HCST) at Mitsui Link Lab Shinkiba 2.
HCST was established with the aim of accelerating collaboration with various partners in the Kanto region. In addition to an environment where medical big data and clinical data can be safely handled, our lab is fully equipped with the functions of wet labs (research using samples such as blood and cells, research using actual equipment and chemicals). In order to promote collaboration with external partners, we have also prepared communication areas and collaboration labs.
Why did you choose Mitsui Link Lab Shinkiba 2 as a new base?
Sysmex Mr. Naito: Mitsui Link Lab Shinkiba 2 has excellent location conditions, such as good traffic access from Tokyo Station, and Mitsui Link Lab has a wide variety of players, from ventures to large companies. It was just right in terms of timing, and when we visited Mitsui Link Lab Shinkiba 2, it was still before the completion, but the person in charge told me, "I can choose my favorite room now," and it was also a good point to choose a room where you can see the fireworks of Tokyo Disneyland (laughs).
Please tell us your impression of actually moving in.
Mr. Sysmex Eida: The facilities in the building are substantial, large enough, and an environment where experiments can be carried out without any inconvenience is provided. Personally, I really like the scenery seen from the conference room when I am tired, and these factors have greatly contributed to my daily research motivation. Speaking of greed, there is already a common equipment room, but I would be grateful if you could go further and introduce "equipment that is very expensive but is not so often used", and that it can be used at a low price .
Sysmex Mr. Naito: Certainly, the existence of common equipment is important. On our scale, we can purchase the equipment we need in-house to some extent, but it's not easy to prepare for confocal microscopes or nuclear magnetic resonance devices. It's even more for startups that have just started. I think it will be even more attractive if a system that can share these devices is established.
Aim to realize a better healthcare journey through collaboration with outside parties
Do you have any exchanges between companies living in Mitsui Link Lab Shinkiba 2?
Sysmex Mr. Naito: At Mitsui Link Lab, there is an exchange meeting once every three months, so we meet with various companies. Companies wishing to visit are also guided inside the lab. After visiting our lab, a person in charge of a company was eager to create a similar lab for our company. "When it's done, please show it to us." A concrete collaboration is about to begin, but various exchanges have already been born.
Please tell us about the future you want to realize at Mitsui Link Lab Shinkiba 2.
Sysmex Mr. Naito: Our Shinkiba Lab was established as a hub for collaboration with various partners in the Kanto region. We have just opened it last year, but we will focus on achieving solid results. Since Shinkiba Lab is close to international airports such as Haneda Airport and Narita Airport, I expect it to serve as a hub not only in Japan but also overseas partners in the future.
Based on our long-term vision of "a better healthcare journey together," we are taking on the challenge of developing technologies to turn this path into a better one, considering the path that many patients walk from the stage of non-illness to the treatment of diseases and life after treatment as a "healthcare journey." Collaboration with various partners, that is, open innovation, is essential to achieve this. Shinkiba Lab will continue to interact with various partners in order to realize open innovation.