June 24, 2024R&D
AGC and The University of Tokyo Partner to Establish Social Cooperation Program on “RNA Therapy Research Laboratory”
- Aiming to Create Innovative RNA Analysis Methods and Its Application to Drug Discovery -
AGC (AGC Inc., Headquarters: Tokyo; President: Yoshinori Hirai) has partnered with Graduate School of Engineering at the University of Tokyo (Dean: Yasuhiro Kato), to establish a new Social Cooperation Program, "RNA Therapy Research Laboratory". The program is held at the Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering at the University of Tokyo, and supervised by Professor Tsutomu Suzuki (double as Project Professor). This program was launched on June 1 and joint research has started.
The University of Tokyo and AGC are engaged in a wide range of collaborative activities, including individual joint research in various fields and social cooperation programs through organizational collaboration.
The newly established social cooperation program aims to pioneer the field of RNA drug discovery research by combining the cutting-edge academic knowledge of RNA biochemistry and nucleic acid chemistry of Graduate School of Engineering at the University of Tokyo with AGC's knowledge of manufacturing process development expertise in its biopharmaceutical CDMO business. The program will focus on the following topics.
2. Development of methods for structural analysis of RNA in cells to elucidate the RNA life cycle.
3. Attempts at RNA drug discovery based on higher-order structures and efforts to provide high-quality RNA drugs.
Graduate School of Engineering at the University of Tokyo and AGC will combine their knowledge to create innovative RNA analysis methods and apply them to drug discovery, contributing to the safety, comfort and health of people around the world.
Reference
Overview of the Social Cooperation Program “RNA Therapy Research Laboratory”
|
Program title |
RNA Therapy Research Laboratory |
|
Implemented department |
Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo (Hongo Campus) |
|
Implemented period |
June 1, 2024-May 31, 2027 |
|
Purpose of research |
To create new innovative RNA analysis methods and apply them to drug discovery by combining the academic knowledge of RNA biochemistry and nucleic acid chemistry of Graduate School of Engineering at the University of Tokyo with the expertise of biopharmaceutical manufacturing processes at AGC. |
|
Partnering company |
AGC |
|
Instructors |
Tsutomu Suzuki, Project Professor |
|
Partner Researcher |
Kana Tanabe, Innovative Technology Laboratories, Technology General Division, AGC (Representative) |
Overview of the organizational collaboration between the University of Tokyo and AGC to date
Graduate School of Engineering at the University of Tokyo and AGC have established Social Cooperation Programs in the fields of glass, fluorochemistry and organic chemistry, and have conducted joint research on long-term topics in various fields. In the field of glass, Corporate Sponsored Research Program was established in 2010 to explore the potential of architectural materials. In 2015, a social cooperation program was established to create advanced technologies with a focus on glass processing. In the field of fluorochemistry, a social collaboration program was established in 2017 to develop new areas in the fields of fluorochemistry, organic chemistry, and bioscience.
In 2019, with the aim of deploying results of the University of Tokyo and creating new businesses for AGC, joint research was launched utilizing the University of Tokyo's International Open Innovation, with the establishment of a joint research workspace and the dispatch of joint researchers from AGC, thereby deepening inter-organizational collaboration.
- Media inquiries
- Chikako Ogawa, General Manager, Corporate Communications & Investor Relations Division
AGC Inc. - Contact: Nakao
- TEL: +81-3-3218-5603
