Sorry, this entry is only available in “Japanese”.

Sorry, this entry is only available in “Japanese”.

Sorry, this entry is only available in “Japanese”.

Sorry, this entry is only available in “Japanese”.

Sorry, this entry is only available in “Japanese”.

Sorry, this entry is only available in “Japanese”.

Sorry, this entry is only available in “Japanese”.

Sorry, this entry is only available in “Japanese”.

Sorry, this entry is only available in “Japanese”.

Sorry, this entry is only available in “Japanese”.

Sorry, this entry is only available in “Japanese”.

Sorry, this entry is only available in “Japanese”.

Sorry, this entry is only available in “Japanese”.

On January 23, 2019, the second subcommittee meeting of FY2018 was held by of the Kino-oka group at Osaka University Nakanoshima Center.
It was attended by program supervisor Dr. Nakahata , personnel from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry(METI）and personnel from the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED). 
In the meeting, companies and academia reported on the results of the project’s 5 years and activity schedule after the project.

Sorry, this entry is only available in “Japanese”.

SCA held the conference to publish the result of AMED project ‘Manufacturing Technology for Industrialization in the Field of Regenerative Medicine (Cardiomyocytes, Nerve, Retinal pigment epithelium,and Livercells）’ jointly with AMED at Ito Hall of The University of Tokyo on December 21, 2018.

 The venue with a capacity of 400 people was almost full, and active discussions have been carried out at poster presentations.

Prof. Nakahata

Prof. Nakatuji

Prof. Kinooka

Poster Session

Regenerative Medicine JAPAN 2018 was held for three days from October 10 to 12, 2018 at Pacifico Yokohama. SCA exhibited main results of the project of Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED), and presented reviews and the results of the project at the open seminar.  Many people visited the SCA booth and attended the seminar.

The SCA booth

The open seminar

Our association is going to have a booth with two sections (Booth No. R-72) at the Regenerative Medicine Japan 2018, which is going to be held at PACIFICO Yokohama over the period October 10 (Wed.) – 12 (Fri.), 2018. At this booth, we are going to showcase the results of our efforts in such forms as cell culturing equipment, stem cell evaluation devices, and transport-related devices. We are also going to show catalogues and a panel of results, and display and distribute the association pamphlet. In addition, the booth will show a video profiling the centralized R&D Lab.at Osaka University.

Outline of display items

SCA exhibited the poster of SCA outline at TISSUE ENGINEERING & REGENERATIVE MEDECINE Exposition 2018(TERMEX2018) on September 4th,2018 at Kyoto International Conference Center. TERMEX2018 was held as the pre-meeting of “2018 Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine International Society World Congress in Kyoto”(2018TERMIS-WC).

Mr.Wada,ABLE Corporation,presented the outline of SCA.

The research and development content of Prof. Kino-oka’s group was introduced at AMED booth in the “Thailand National Science and Technology Fair 2018” on 16th to 26th August, 2018.

Prime Minister General Prayuth Chan-ocha, and Minister of Science and Technology Suvit Maesincee also had visited while many engineers, researchers and students visited and heard the explanation eagerly.

Furthermore, it has been presented certainly to Mr. Sadoshima (the Japanese Ambassador to Thailand).

Explanation to students

Explanation to Mr.Sadoshima

Group photo

On July 19, 2018, the first section meeting of FY2018 was held by of the Kino-oka group at Osaka University Nakanoshima Center. It was attended by program supervisor Dr. Nakahata , personnel from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and personnel from the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED). 
There was a vigorous discussion on the progress of the fiscal 2018 research plans and the orientation for the future at the meeting.

On July 18, 2018, the second Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED) development conference of fiscal 2018 was held by the Nakatsuji group of Kyoto University at Kyoto University Institute for Advanced Study (KUIAS).
It was attended by program supervisor Dr. Nakahata, personnel from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and AMED. The progress of the fiscal 2018 research plans was reported.
The next conference is scheduled to be held on October 23, 2018.

SCA exhibited panels and products from the project at the 17th Congress of the Japanese Society for Regenerative Medicine held at the Pacifico Yokohama during March 21 to 23, 2018. Many people from medical institutions, academia and companies visited the SCA booth and exchanged information.  

The SCA booth1

The SCA booth2

Our association is going to have a booth with three sections (Booth No. 1) at the Corner for Introduction of the Latest Technology at the 17^th Congress of the Japanese Society for Regenerative Medicine, which is going to be held at PACIFICO Yokohama over the period March 21 (Wed.) – 23 (Fri.), 2018. At this booth, we are going to showcase the results of our efforts in such forms as cell culturing equipment, stem cell evaluation devices, and transport-related devices. We are also going to show catalogues and a panel of results, and display and distribute the association pamphlet. In addition, the booth will show a video profiling the centralized R&D Lab.at Osaka University.
Outline display items

On February 6, 2018, the fourth user forum was held by the Kino-oka groups of the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED) project in National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology （AIST）Tokyo Waterfront.  After two key note lectures, the progress of the project was reported.  It was held for the purpose of absorbing the needs of parties who will be the users of the project and reflecting them in the project’s promotion.  The confab session was a scene of lively interchange.

On January 30, 2018, the fourth Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED) development conference of fiscal 2017 was held by the Nakatsuji group of Kyoto University at Kyoto University Institute for Advanced Study (KUIAS).
It was attended by program supervisor Dr. Nakahata ,personnel from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and AMED. The progress of the fiscal 2017 research plans was reported.
The next conference is scheduled to be held on April 17, 2018.

On January 29, 2018, the second section meeting of FY2017 was held by of the Kino-oka group at Osaka University. It was attended by program supervisor Dr. Nakahata , personnel from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and personnel from the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED). 
There was a vigorous discussion on the progress of the fiscal 2017 research plans and the orientation for the future at the meeting.

We would like to express our sincere appreciation for your support and encouragement you gave to SCA last year.
The project of “Cell Manufacturing Systems” is going well for almost four years and it marks the final year．
In fiscal 2017, we commenced approaches to a new project of “Human Emulation Systems.”
We would like to express our heartfelt appreciation for your continuous support.

On October 11, 2017, 25 persons from academia, companies, and institutions including the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Science and Technology, and Chung-Hua Institution for Economic Research (CIER) visited Osaka University’s Centralized R&D Laboratory to see its equipment.
They received a general explanation from SPL Masahiro Kino-oka, and a lively discussion was held concerning how things will take shape going forward.

Regenerative Medicine JAPAN 2017 was held for three days from October 11 to 13, 2017 at Pacifico Yokohama. SCA exhibited main results of the project of Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED), and presented reviews and the results of the project at the open seminar.  Many people visited the SCA booth and attended the seminar.

The SCA booth

The open seminar

The 2nd UK-JAPAN Life Innovation Symposium held by the Nakatsuji AMED Subproject group of Kyoto University and Kanagawa Prefecture took place on October 10th (Tuesday) at the Life Innovation Center in Kawasaki. A total of 63 people participated, including key persons from British companies and groups, and people from academia, companies, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and AMED taking part from Japan. The event hosted a lively discussion of cooperation between Britain and Japan in regenerative and cell therapy, as well as other areas in the field of life science.

On September 29, 2017, SCA concluded a contract with Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED) for commissioning of work on a project for ” Development of Basic Technology to Support Drug Discovery Applying Regenerative Medicine Technology.”

On September 27, 2017, the FY2017 PS/PO Meeting took place at AMED.
Organized in lieu of the administrative meeting up to last fiscal year, the PS/PO Hearing was held to receive comments and suggestions from program supervisor /program officer Dr. Nakahata and from external evaluation committee members etc. on the activities of the “Development of Cell Manufacturing and Processing Systems for Regenerative Medicine” project commissioned to the Association.
Sub-project leaders Drs. Kino-oka and Nakatsuji gave an interim report on the progress, results to date, and upcoming schedule etc. of the project, followed by a vigorous Q&A session and many recommendations and suggestions.

Director Masahiro Uemura  of METI’s Bio-Industry Division visited and toured two of the Centralized R&D Labs for the “Development of Cell Manufacturing and Processing Systems for Industrialization of Regenerative Medicine” project commissioned to the SCA:
・August 28: Life Innovation Center (LIC) in Tonomachi, Kawasaki City
・September 25: Osaka University in Yamadaoka, Suita City
After an overview of the research, facilities, and equipment, Director Uemura  asked numerous questions and gave many comments, further deepening his understanding of the endeavors and realities of our R&D front lines.

On Friday, July 21, 2017, in the Kawadacho Office  of the Ogino Memorial Laboratory, Nihon Kohden Corporation, the SCA’s first Technical Lecture and Researchers’ Forum was concluded successfully.
At the Researchers’ Forum, there was an introduction to the project -related public technology seeds of the SCA member companies .
At the Technical Lecture, J-TEC Corporate Officer Dr. Yukio Mori gave a lecture titled “Case Studies of Successfully Commercialized Regenerative Medical Products  and Challenges for Future Industrialization . ”
The next session is scheduled for Friday, October 27.

On July 26, 2017, the second Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED) research development conference of fiscal 2017 was held by the Nakatsuji group of Kyoto University at Kyoto University Institute for Advanced Study (KUIAS). It was attended by personnel from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and AMED. The progress of the fiscal 2017 research plans was reported. The next conference is scheduled to be held on October 24, 2017.

On May 15, 2017, the first section meeting of FY2017 was held by of the Kino-oka group at Osaka University. It was attended by program supervisor Dr. Nakahata and personnel from the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED). 
There was a vigorous discussion on the progress of the fiscal 2017 research plans and the orientation for the future at the meeting.

On April 18, 2017, the first Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED) development conference of fiscal 2017 was held by the Nakatsuji group of Kyoto University at the Institute for Integrated Cell-Material Sciences (iCeMS).
It was also attended by personnel from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and AMED, and was devoted to presentations of the research results of fiscal 2016 and the research plans for fiscal 2017.
The next conference is scheduled to be held on July 26, 2017.

On April 1st, SCA concluded a contract for outsourced research and development in FY2017 with AMED. Mesenchymal projects finished in the previous fiscal year, and the structure of research projects has been altered.
Structure of research in FY2017

SCA exhibited panels and products at the 16th Congress of the Japanese Society for Regenerative Medicine held at the Sendai International Center during March 7 to 9, 2017.  This is the second time for SCA to run booth at the Congress of the Japanese Society for Regenerative Medicine, first being at the 15th Congress at the Osaka International Convention Center. R&D products of the project were exhibited.  Many people from medical institutions, academia and companies visited the SCA booth and exchanged information.  It provided a good opportunity for collecting the needs of users.

The SCA booth 

SCA will exhibit panels and products at the 16th Congress of the Japanese Society for Regenerative Medicine held at the Sendai International Center during March 7 to 9, 2017. R&D products of the project will be exhibited.

R&D products of the AMED project is released (it is not available in English version).  The projects of Nakatsuji group and Kino-oka group will continue for two more years, and the project of Akutsu group will be finished at the end of March, 2017.

The second mesenchymal stem cell section meeting of fiscal 2016 was held by the Akutsu group at the SCA conference room on February 13, and was attended by personnel from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development.  This section meeting was the last one in the project.  The progress of three-year research plans and the results including launched products were presented.  There were lively discussions on the results.

On February 3, 2017, the third user forum was held by the Kino-oka and Akutsu groups of the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED) project in the Tokyo Branch of the Graduate Schools of Medicine and Engineering of Osaka University (Nihonbashi Lifescience Building).  After two key note lectures, the progress of the project was reported.  It was held for the purpose of absorbing the needs of parties who will be the users of the project and reflecting them in the project’s promotion.  The confab session was a scene of lively interchange.

On January 31, 2017, the third Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED) development conference of fiscal 2016 was held by the Nakatsuji group of Kyoto University at the Institute for Integrated Cell-Material Sciences (iCeMS).   It was attended by personnel from AMED.  The progress of the fiscal 2016 research plans was reported.   The next conference is scheduled to be held on April, 18, 2017.

On January 5, 2017, results of SCA appeared in the Chemical Daily with headlines of “manufacturing system for regenerative medicines in the all-Japan system,” “steady results with a view to the world” and “commercialization of products from culture to transport.”

We would like to express our sincere appreciation for your support and encouragement you gave to SCA last year. The project of industrialization of regenerative medicine is going well for almost three years.
     We would like to express our heartfelt appreciation for your continuous support.

On December 13, 2016, Nikon Corporation and Shibuya Corporation made a press release announcing co-development of an incubator with automated observation function for production of regenerative medicine products, which was a result of the Kino-oka group of the AMED project.

On December 6, 2016, Ms. Camelia Chen, Deputy Director of Industrial Development Bureau, Ministry of Economic Affairs of Taiwan and Dr. Leah Lo of Medical and the Pharmaceutical Industry Technology and Development Center of Taiwan and 8 people visited the centralized R&D lab of Osaka University.  They observed the apparatuses and the system and Prof. Kino-oka, sub-project leader, gave a brief review.  There were lively discussions on future development.

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Regenerative Medicine JAPAN 2016 was held for three days from October 12 to 14, 2016 at Pacifico Yokohama. SCA exhibited main results of the project of Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED), and presented reviews and the results of the project at the open seminar.  Many people visited the SCA booth and attended the seminar.

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On September 26, 2016, Sumitomo Bakelite Co., Ltd. made a press release announcing development of a kit for measurement of differentiation potential of mesenchymal stem cells to bone and cartilage cells, which was a result of the AMED project.

On September 20, 2016, Dr. Yio-Wha Shau, vice president and general director of Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) of Taiwan and one member of ITRI visited the centralized R&D lab of Osaka University. They observed the apparatuses and the system and Prof. Kino-oka, sub-project leader, gave a brief review.  There were lively discussions on future development.
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On September 2, 2016, the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED) steering conference of FY2016 was held at the AMED conference room in order to draw advice and recommendations about management and progress of the project from external experts. There were lively questions and answers on the reports by the program supervisor and the sub-project leaders.

On August 25, 2016, the opening ceremony of the Life Innovation Center in Kawasaki City, Kanagawa was held, where the centralized R&D lab of the Nakatsuji sub-project group entered.  The ceremony was grandly held with attendance of Mr. Kuroiwa, Kanagawa Prefectural Governor and about 200 guests.

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SCA will exhibit panels and products at Regenerative Medicine Japan 2016 held at Pacifico Yokohama during October 12 to 14, 2016.  Exhibited products include culture apparatuses, cryopreservation solutions, cell carrying vessels and so on.  A video on the centralized R&D lab at Osaka University will be played.  On October 13, from 10:30, SCA will make 13 presentations on the project overviews and R&D results.
Regenerative Medicine Japan 2016 HP

On August 9, 2016, Dr. Nares Damrongchai, CEO of TCELS (Thailand Center of Excellence for Life Sciences), a public organization, and two people of TCELS visited the centralized R&D lab. of Osaka University.  They observed the apparatuses and the system at the lab. and Prof. Kino-oka, sub-project leader, gave a brief review.  There were lively discussions on future development.

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The second Program Supervisor/Sub-project Leader Conference of fiscal year 2016 was hosted by the Division of Regenerative Medicine Research of the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED) at AMED on July 20, 2016. It was attended by program supervisor Dr. Nakahata; sub-project leaders Dr. Nakatsuji, Dr. Kino-oka, Dr. Akutsu, and Dr. Dezawa; guests from the Bio-Industry Division of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry; Ms. Takuma, director of the AMED Division of Regenerative Medicine Research, alongside personnel from the AMED who are involved in the project. There was a lively discussion of matters such as reports on the project progress and intergroup partnership.

The first mesenchymal stem cell section meeting of fiscal 2016 was held by the Akutsu group at the SCA conference room on July 15, and was attended by personnel from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development. The progress of the fiscal 2016 research plans and the results including launched products were presented.  There were lively discussions on the results.

On July 12, 2016, the second Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED) development conference of fiscal 2016 was held by the Nakatsuji group of Kyoto University at the Institute for Integrated Cell-Material Sciences (iCeMS). It was attended by personnel from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and AMED. The progress of the fiscal 2016 research plans was reported. The next conference is scheduled to be held on November, 8, 2016.

On July 4, 2016, the first iPS section meeting of FY2016 was held by of the Kino-oka group at Osaka University. It was attended by personnel from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED).  There was a vigorous discussion on the progress of the fiscal 2016 research plans and the orientation for the future at the meeting.

The fiscal 2016 ordinary general meeting of SCA was held at the FUJIFILM Corporation conference room from 4:00 to 5:00 pm on June 20, 2016. SCA invited the following to attend as guests: Mr. Baba (deputy director) of the Bio-Industry Division of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, and Ms. Kiryu (deputy director)  of the Division of Regenerative Medicine Research Section of the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development.
Approval of the fiscal 2015 business report and all of the other measures were passed, and the meeting concluded without incident.

On April 19, 2016, the first Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED) development conference of fiscal 2016 was held by the Nakatsuji group of Kyoto University at the Institute for Integrated Cell-Material Sciences (iCeMS). It was also attended by personnel from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and AMED, and was devoted to presentations of the research results of fiscal 2015 and the research plans for fiscal 2016. The next conference is scheduled to be held on July 12, 2016.

On April 8, 2016, members of the Steering Committee of SCA visited the Centralized R&D Lab. of Osaka University. After a brief review by Prof. Masahiro Kino-oka, sub-project leader, and Associate Prof. Manabu Mizutani, they observed a large scale production apparatus and the fMP (flexible Modular Platform) with lively questions and answers.

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On April 4, 2016, AIST, a member of SCA, made a press release announcing that it developed a technology for simple and rapid evaluation of differentiation potential of hMSC. The technology is expected to contribute to industrialization of regenerative medicine using hMSC.  The details were published online in an American scientific journal, Glycobiology (2016) April 2.

On March 31, 2016, Nipro Corporation, a member of SCA, put out a press release stating that it launched an automated cell culture system for stem cells.  The cell culture system was developed in the former NEDO project and its performance was evaluated at Kyoto University and the National Center for Child Health and Development in the present AMED project.

SCA exhibited panels and products at the 15th Congress of the Japanese Society for Regenerative Medicine held at the Osaka International Congress Center during March 17 to 19, 2016. Many people from medical institutions, academia and industry visited the SCA booth and the needs of users were collected through questions and answers. […more]

On February 22 – 23, 2016, the UK-JAPAN Life Innovation Symposium was held by the Nakatsuji group of Kyoto University in Tokyo Branch of Kyoto University, Shinagawa, on the first day and in the Life Science & Environment Research Center (LiSE) in Tonomachi, Kawasaki City on the second day.  The symposium on the first day was hosted by Kyoto University and on the second day by Kanagawa Prefectural Government, and on both days cohosted by SCA.   The preview of the Life Innovation Center (tentative name) under construction in the Tonomachi area was held on the morning of the second day.  The Centralized R&D Lab. of the Nakatsuji group is scheduled to be established in the Life Innovation Center.
Program of the first day

On February 9, 2016, the second user forum was held by the Kino-oka and Akutsu groups in the Tokyo Waterfront Annex of the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology. It was held for the purpose of absorbing the needs of parties who will be the users of the project and reflecting them in the project’s promotion. The confab session was a scene of lively interchange.

On January 27, 2016, the Kanagawa Prefectural Government made a press release announcing the Life Innovation Center (tentative name) under construction in the Tonomachi area in Kawasaki City, where the centralized research R&D lab. of the Nakatsuji group of Kyoto University will be established.

On January 19, 2016, the fourth Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED) development conference of fiscal 2015 was held by the Nakatsuji group of Kyoto University at the Institute for Integrated Cell-Material Sciences (iCeMS). It was attended by personnel from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and AMED and was devoted to reports on the progress of the fiscal 2015 research plans. The next conference is scheduled to be held on April, 19, 2016.

The second Program Supervisor/Sub-project Leader Conference of this fiscal year was hosted by the Division of Regenerative Medicine Research of the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED) at AMED on January 15, 2016. It was attended by program supervisor Dr. Nakahata; sub-project leaders Dr. Nakatsuji, Dr. Kino-oka, Dr. Akutsu, and Dr. Dezawa; guests from the Bio-Industry Division of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry; Ms. Takuma, director of the AMED Division of Regenerative Medicine Research, alongside personnel from the AMED who are involved in the project. There was a lively discussion of matters such as reports on the project progress and intergroup partnership.

On January 13, 2016, a new year celebration for bio-related organizations was grandly held at Palace Hotel Tokyo with attendance of Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry and many guests.  SCA was one of the hosts.  Mr. Yoshioka, president of SCA, and many personnel of SCA members participated and deepened exchanges. Dr. Satoshi Ōmura, Distinguished Emeritus Professor at Kitasato University, who won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2015, was presented honorary Japan Bioindustry Association (JBA) award. 
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We would like to express our sincere appreciation for your support and encouragement you gave to SCA last year. The project of industrialization of regenerative medicine is going well for almost two years.
     We would like to express our heartfelt appreciation for your continuous support.

On December 17, 2015, the first technical lecture meeting of SCA was held after the fifth steering committee at the Chemical Research Laboratories, Nissan Chemical Industries, Ltd. in Funabashi, Chiba.
    On the title “development of degenerative medicine of human mesenchymal stem cells,”
Mr. Zen-ichi Mohri, advisor for development, JCR Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd. talked about current situation and future prospects of development of degenerative medicine, focusing on allografts using mesenchymal stem cells.  There were lively questions and answers.

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Zenoaq Resource Co., Ltd. of the mesenchymal stem cell group led by Dr. Akutsu, sub-project leader, has developed a DMSO-free cryopreservation solution in collaboration with the National Center for Child Health and Development and the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology.  It is scheduled to be commercially marketed on December 1, 2015.  The DMSO-free crypreservation solution is manufactured in compliance with the GMP guideline, and successfully cryopreserves various cells including mesenchymal stem cells.

The second meeting of the mesenchymal stem cell subcommittee of fiscal 2015 was held by the Akutsu group at the SCA conference room on November 13, and was attended by personnel from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development.  The progress of the fiscal 2015 research plans and the results including launched products were presented.  There were lively discussions on the results and the orientation for the future.

On October 30, 2015, personnel of Mahidol University of Thailand visited the centralized R&D lab. at Osaka University to see a prototype of stem cell manufacturing and processing system. The visit was supported by the Thailand Center of Excellence for Life Sciences (TCELS), a Thai public organization. They discussed regenerative medicine in Japan, and business potential and economy of regenerative medicine with Prof. Kino-oka, sub-project leader, and others.

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On October 20, 2015, the third Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED) development conference of fiscal 2015 was held by the Nakatsuji group of Kyoto University at the Institute for Integrated Cell-Material Sciences (iCeMS). It was attended by personnel from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and AMED. The first session was devoted to reports on the progress of the fiscal 2015 research plans, and the second session, to individual discussions between concerned personnel.  Furthermore, the third session was devoted to a presentation of the Kawasaki Innovation Gateway (KING) SKYFRONT by Kanagawa Prefectural Government. The next conference is scheduled to be held on January, 19, 2016.

BioJapan 2015 was held for three days from October 14 to 16, 2015 at Pacifico Yokohama.  SCA exhibited main results of the project of a year and a half, and showed a video presentation about the centralized R&D research lab. at Osaka University.  SCA also presented panels showing the SCA profile and the project overviews of three  sub-project leaders’ groups.  New brochures were distributed to many visitors who came to the SCA booth and there were a lot of questions and answers.

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On October 13, 2015, the first iPS section meeting of FY2015 of the Kino-oka group of  fiscal 2015 was held at Osaka University.  It was attended by personnel from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED).  A tour to the centralized R&D lab. at Osaka University was held before the meeting and there was a lively discussion on the progress of the fiscal 2015 research plans and the orientation for the future at the meeting.

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On October 8, 2015, DNA Chip Research Inc., Zenoaq Resource Co., Ltd. and Taiyo Nippon Sanso Corporation made a press release stating the results of development of regenerative medicine products in a meeting room of SCA.  Dr. Akutsu, sub-project leader, gave the significance of the results and the three members gave detailed descriptions.   There were vigorous questions and answers.

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On September 18, 2015, the fist Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED) steering conference of FY2015 was held at the AMED conference room in order to draw advice and recommendations about management and progress of the project from external experts. There were lively questions and answers on the reports by the program supervisor and the sub-project leaders.

On September 17, 2015, the third steering committee meeting of SCA was held at the National Center for Child Health and Development (NCCHD) and the committee members toured the centralized R&D lab. (CL) at NCCHD. The tour was friendly and some committee members themselves explained about their apparatuses settled at CL.

Pictures of the CL tour at NCCHD
Outline description of CL by sub-project leader Dr. Akutsu
Full view of CL
Description of the culture substrate of FUJIFILM Corporation
Description of the automated culture apparatus of NIPRO Corporation
Description of the cryopreservation solution of Zenoaq Resource Co., Ltd.
Description of the automated cryopreservation apparatus of Taiyo Nippon Sanso Corporation

On September 14, 2015, Dr. Kothari, CEO, and Prof. Read, chair of the Cooperative Research Center for Cell Therapy Manufacturing (CTM CRC ), Australia, visited the the centralized R&D lab. at Osaka University. Prof. Kino-oka, sub-project leader, gave an outline description and there was a fruitful discussion with respect to the manufacturing system set up in August 2015.
Description of the automated culture system by Prof. Kino-oka (#1)
Description of the automated culture system by Prof. Kino-oka (#2)

The first Program Supervisor/Sub-project Leader Conference of this fiscal year was hosted by the Division of Regenerative Medicine Research of the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED) in one of its conference room on the afternoon of August 20, 2015. It was attended by program supervisor Dr. Nakahata; the sub-project leaders Dr. Nakatsuji, Dr. Kino-oka, Dr. Akutsu, and Dr. Dezawa; guests from the Bio-Industry Division of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry; Ms. Takuma, director of the AMED Division of Regenerative Medicine Research, alongside personnel from the AMED who are involved in the project; and listeners including SCA president Mr. Yoshioka. There was a lively discussion of matters such as reports on the project progress and intergroup partnership.

At a meeting of the SCA board of directors on July 13, 2015, an election was held for the post of SCA president, and Mr. Yasuhiro Yoshioka (fellow, FUJIFILM Corporation) was re-elected as the president. At the same meeting, Dr. Yoshihiro Nakamura was re-elected as the executive director.

On July 10, 2015, the second Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED) development conference of fiscal 2015 was held by the Nakatsuji group of Kyoto University at the Institute for Integrated Cell-Material Sciences (iCeMS). It was attended by personnel from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and AMED. The first session was devoted to reports on the progress of the fiscal 2015 research plans, and the second session, to individual discussions between concerned personnel. The next conference is scheduled to be held on October 20.

The first meeting of the mesenchymal stem cell subcommittee of fiscal 2015 was held by the Akutsu group at the SCA conference room on July 8, and was attended by personnel from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development. There were lively discussions on the progress of the fiscal 2015 research plans and the orientation for the future. The next meeting is scheduled for November 13, 2015.

On July 1, 2015, a group of seven members of the Division of Regenerative Medicine of the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED) led by Ms. Kiryu, deputy director, toured the Centralized R&D Lab. (CL) of the National Center for Child Health and Development (NCCDH). After opening remarks by Dr. Umezawa, vice director of the NCCDH, they listened to an outline description of the CL by sub-project leader Dr. Akutsu. This was followed by explanations of different pieces of equipment installed in the CL by the respective corporate researchers. The members of the group had many questions for the CL personnel.
 Description of development of culture substrate　
 Description of an automated culture unit
 Description of a cryopreservation unit
 Wrap-up remarks by Dr. Akutsu  

The fiscal 2015 ordinary general meeting of SCA was held at the SCA conference room from 4:00 to 5:15 pm on June 18, 2015. SCA invited the following to attend as guests: Mr. Baba (deputy director), Mr. Shingai (chief analyst for bio-technology), and Ms. Futemma (officer) of the Bio-Industry Division of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, and Ms. Takuma (director) and Dr. Okamoto (deputy manager) of the Division of Regenerative Medicine Research Section of the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development. Approval of the fiscal 2014 business report and all of the other measures were passed, and the meeting concluded without incident.

The recent shift of the commissioning entity from the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization to the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development occasioned a redesign and revision of the SCA pamphlet. Steps were taken for the cover and in other areas to facilitate understanding of the SCA’s activities by all readers. If you would like a copy, please contact our secretariat.

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On April 14, 2015, the first Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED) development conference of fiscal 2015 was held by the Nakatsuji Group of Kyoto University at the Institute for Integrated Cell-Material Sciences (iCeMS). It was also attended by personnel from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and AMED, and was devoted to presentations of the research results of fiscal 2014 and the research plans for fiscal 2015. The next conference is scheduled to be held on July 10, 2015.

The renewed version of the SCA website replaced the former version on April 1. Besides changing the logo mark, the purpose of the renewal was to redo the design and heighten the impact and persuasiveness. We welcome your comments on the new website. Please feel free to e-mail them to us at the following address: info[at]scetra.or.jp (please change [at] to @).