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drug discovery cluster campusDrug Discovery Cluster Campus Project

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Basic information/overview

・Business overview and objectives

By providing a place where domestic and international investors and global pharmaceutical companies can connect and co-create on a daily basis, Nakanoshima Qross will become a drug discovery startup ecosystem hub that attracts the attention of leading global players. By strengthening the drug discovery capabilities of startups and other organizations, we aim to promote the development of innovative new drugs and provide new treatment options to the public.

Specifically, we provide customized hands-on support to startups in the drug discovery field, tailored to their challenges.

This support goes beyond simple advice; each startup is accompanied by a dedicated person who provides comprehensive, multifaceted support in areas such as technology development, business strategy, intellectual property and regulatory compliance, fundraising, etc. This shortens the time to commercialization, accelerates growth, and expands opportunities for fundraising through matching with leading funds, etc.

*This project has been selected for the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare's FY6 supplementary budget "Drug Discovery Cluster Campus Development Project."

・Business scheme ・Main support contents

The project will provide support based on the following five pillars:

(1) Community building

By providing a place where startups, researchers, investors, global pharmaceutical companies, and medical professionals can gather and interact on a daily basis, and by planning and hosting business matching and pitch events every month to foster co-creation, we will create an environment where anyone who visits Nakanoshima can find commercialization and investment opportunities.

(2) Support for accelerating the growth of startups

Collaborate with global pharma CVCs and consulting firms to form mentoring teams, select promising startups, and provide tailored growth support programs tailored to individual issues (pharmaceutical approval, patent strategies, human resource development, fundraising, etc.) to accelerate SU development.

(3) Attracting overseas stakeholders

We will attract leading accelerators with a strong track record in identifying and nurturing world-class startups, as well as global pharma CVCs, and encourage them to establish bases there, making Nakanoshima Qross an international hub for nurturing healthcare SUs.

(4) Overseas Ecosystem Bridge

Implement a short-term overseas dispatch program for startups and researchers to collaborate with investors, business companies, and world-class research institutes in overseas life science ecosystems in cities such as Boston, Silicon Valley, and London, creating an environment in which startups can compete with overseas companies by coming to Nakanoshima.

(5) Human resource development for drug discovery

By introducing an overseas entrepreneurial education program to develop entrepreneurial talent in the life sciences field and planning and implementing a CDMO talent development program, which is essential for drug discovery but is in short supply, we will create an environment in which those who attend Nakanoshima Qross can become talent capable of expanding overseas.

22 startups supported in the first period (2025) (in order of appearance at the kick-off event)

(Companies with a star at the end of their name are eligible for overseas ecosystem bridge support.)

①Revascular Bio Co., Ltd.
Vascular regeneration using endothelial stem cells

②Developmental Pharmacology Research Group, Shinshu University School of Medicine
Pediatric heart failure treatment (β-arrestin biased agonist (BBA))

③Regeneflo Co., Ltd. ★
iPS cell reprogramming technology, including iPS cell-derived nephron progenitor cells (iNPCs)

4The University of Tokyo Purino Science, Inc.
Sarcopenia treatment drug (XOR inhibitor)

⑤Tregem Biopharma Co., Ltd.
Tooth regeneration therapy (anti-USAG-1 antibody)

⑥Mormil Co., Ltd.
Molecular dynamics evaluation technology, ALS drug discovery

⑦HOIST Co., Ltd. ★
Drug discovery support using anti-cancer drugs (HM-001, ALKBHXNUMX inhibitor) and PDC/PDX

⑧Regcel Co., Ltd.
Immune system control technology (Treg cells)

⑨United Immunity Co., Ltd.　★
Immunotropic drug delivery systems (PNP, P-LNP)

⑩Qualips Co., Ltd. ★
iPS cell-derived cardiomyocyte sheet

⑪Lead Pharma Co., Ltd.
BROTHERS Nucleic Acid (side effects (hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, neurotoxicity) can be avoided)

⑫Antibody Medical Research Institute Co., Ltd. ★
Antibody drug (ATI-235) that inhibits fibrosis formation in pulmonary fibrosis

⑬Human Life Code Co., Ltd.
Use of mesenchymal stromal cells extracted from umbilical cords as regenerative medicine products

⑭Atransen Pharma 　★
Development of cancer therapy targeting amino acid transporters

⑮AutophagyGo Inc.
Technology for measuring autophagy at an industrial level

⑯The University of Tokyo Graduate School of Arts and Sciences　
Drug discovery business using optical switch technology

⑰Xforest Therapeutics Inc. ★
A technological platform integrating a massively parallel biochemical analysis system for RNA structure and an in silico analysis pipeline

⑱Luxana Biotech Co., Ltd.　★
Development of nucleic acid medicines based on artificial nucleic acid technology

⑲Veneno Technologies
Creation of disulfide-rich peptide drugs

AiCeMS (Institute for Advanced Research, Center for Integrated Cell-Material Sciences) Kyoto University
Mammalian implantation promoter

22. FerroptoCure Co., Ltd. ★
Ferroptosis-inducing anticancer drugs (xCT inhibitors, ALDH inhibitors)

22. Arktus Therapeutics Inc.
iPS-derived mesenchymal stem cell (iMSC) mass production technology, scaffold-free organization technology (cartilage)

Event schedule and activity report

[Event Schedule]

【activity report】

  • August 21st (Thu) Nakanoshima Qross Drug Discovery Cluster Campus Project Kick-off Event

    A new ecosystem has begun to be built to support the practical application of drug discovery seeds.
    A diverse range of players, including domestic and international pharmaceutical companies, venture capital firms, and government agencies, have come together, building momentum for the formation of an internationally competitive drug discovery hub.
    The panel discussion included sharing of issues and prospects for exit strategies, human resource development, and building a regionally-based international model. Through pitches and networking by the 22 first-phase startups, the foundation for cross-sector collaboration and co-creation was cultivated.

Media and public relations information

Press releases and published articles