Resident Interview

Bayspair Japan G.K. is a Japanese subsidiary of Bayspair Inc., a biotech startup founded in the United States. Currently, we are using our proprietary genome editing technology to focus on the genome editing service and the genome editing iPS cell bank. We are trying to provide genome editing technology that is easy to use for many users by reducing the cost and difficulty of expensive genome editing technology. This time, we asked Kazuya Ikeda, the founder of the U.S. headquarters and current CEO, and Risako Nagasaka, Representative of Japan Corporation, about their business and future prospects.

Imnogenetics Co., Ltd. is a university-based startup established with the aim of social implementation of the unique high-sensitivity cDNA amplification technology, which was created in the laboratory of Professor Tsunaji Matsushima of Tokyo University of Science (the company's director). Based on this technology that can detect more gene expression than conventional methods, we are currently developing a contract service for genetic analysis and diagnostic reagent business. This time, we asked Mr. Noboru Minowa, President of Representative Director, Yoshimasa Imamura, Executive Director of Research and Contract Analysis, and Michiko Fukuoka, Executive Director of Corporate Planning, about the current business activities, the purpose of opening the Kashiwa-no-ha Lab, and future prospects.

HiLung Inc. is a Kyoto University-originated startup specializing in lung research and development. Founded five years ago, the company is built on proprietary technology for generating alveolar organoids derived from iPS cells that replicate the function of human lung tissue. This time, we asked Toshio Suzuki, director of the company, and Harry Choi, a scientist, about the company's core technology, future business prospects, and how they moved to Mitsui Link Lab Kashiwa-no-ha 1.

LiSTie Co., Ltd. is a startup aiming to develop ultra-high purity, efficient and low-cost lithium recovery technology. Demand for high-power and lightweight lithium batteries is increasing rapidly around the world, especially with the spread of electric vehicles, and lithium is an indispensable substance for fusion power generation, which is expected to be a promising source of energy for the future. This time, we asked Mr. Takeshi Hoshino, Representative Director, about the business details and future prospects.

C4U (C4U) Co., Ltd. is a biotech that aims to commercialize genome editing technology from Japan, which was established at Osaka University. Based on cutting-edge research results, we are taking on the challenge of developing new treatments focusing on rare intractable diseases, cancer, and other diseases with high unmet needs. This time, we asked Akimitsu Hirai, President and CEO of the company, about the history of the company's birth, future prospects, and his impressions of Mitsui Link Lab Shinkiba.

Mitsui Chemicals, Inc. Krop & Life Solutions Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as Mitsui Chemicals, Inc. C&L) is a research and development company that develops globally in products and services in the field of high-quality agricultural chemicals. It is a pioneer in the Japanese pesticide industry, including the production and sale of Japan's first synthetic pesticide in the Taisho era, and is a company boasting research and development capabilities that lead the creation of pesticides in the world. This time, we asked Chuji Ishiyama and Kentaro Yamamoto of the Biological Solutions Research Center of the Research and Development Division about their current research, the purpose of opening the Shinkiba Lab, and the future prospects.

TFBS BIOSCIENCE G.K. is a virus vector manufacturer from Taiwan that has contracted development and manufacturing facilities for top-class GMP virus vectors in the Asia-Pacific region. Established as the Institute for Virus Research, a government-funded foundation, the company became independent eight years ago, focusing on cell therapy and the manufacture of viral vectors for gene therapy products. This time, we asked Yuan, Huang, and Ryu of the company about their expectations for the company's entry into Japan and Kashiwa-no-ha Lab.

Muromachi Chemical Co., Ltd. is a Fukuoka Prefecture company that conducts a wide range of businesses related to pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and food, from contract manufacturing of pharmaceuticals to the design of water supply and drainage treatment equipment. With the changing times, the content of business is diversifying, and recently requests from academia and startups have increased. In June of this year, we opened the Drug Development Center in Kashiwa-no-ha, Mitsui Link Lab, to meet new customers and needs. We provide total service (import, manufacturing, processing, and analysis) related to raw materials (import, manufacturing, processing, and analysis) by combining "trading company functions" that can procure raw materials that meet quality and price, and "manufacturer functions" of pharmaceutical manufacturing. This time, we asked Shingo Fukumoto, Junichi Seto, and Naotaku Sakumoto of the Pharmaceutical Development Department about the company's business and future prospects.

Sysmex Corporation is a company whose main business is the development, manufacture, sale, and import/export of laboratory equipment, reagents for testing, and related software. Starting with blood test equipment, we are currently expanding our business to healthcare in general, including cancer gene panel tests, new corona antibody tests, test reagents to check the accumulation status of amyloid beta in the brain, medical test equipment, and surgical support robots. This time, we asked Mr. Katsuki Naito, Mr. Atsushi Matsuda, and Mr. Kanako Eda of the company about the background of entering Tokyo and the future prospects.

H.U. Group Central Research Laboratories (HRI) is a company established with the aim of consolidating the basic research functions of the H.U. Group and creating products and services that will serve as future growth drivers. In addition to in-house research, we are actively promoting open innovation with the outside world, and we are also challenging joint research with various research institutes, including the National Cancer Center. This time, we asked Kenichi Imamura, Koichi Abe, and Takuya Uozumi about the company's business and future prospects.