当社は、再生医療用の細胞培養に向けたPVAマイクロキャリアを開発し、2024年3月に理化学用途限定で国内発売しました。これまで、当社つくば研究センター（茨城県つくば市）で研究を進めていましたが、取り扱える細胞や設備に限りがあること、都心からのアクセス面に課題があることから、細胞培養を主としたライフサイエンス専門の実験設備を備える都市型研究拠点を新たに設けました。 Kuraray Co., Ltd.
Kuraray Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, President: Jin Kawahara) has opened the Tokyo Lab, a city-based research facility specializing in cell culture, on September 4, 2024, aiming to expand the application range of our cell immobilization carrier PVA Microcarriers (product name: ScapoVa) and strengthen customer connections.
1. Background of the Opening
At the opening ceremony ※
We have developed PVA Microcarriers for cell culture for regenerative medicine and launched them domestically in March 2024 for research and development purposes. We have been conducting research at our Tsukuba Research Center (Tsukuba City, Ibaraki Prefecture), but due to limitations in the types of cells and facilities available and challenges in terms of access from the city center, we have established a city-based research facility specializing in life science experiments focused on cell culture.
From left to right: Goro Kobayashi, Leader of the Life Innovation Promotion Group, Research and Development Headquarters, Kuraray Corporation
Tatsuya Shimizu, Director of the Institute of Advanced Life Medical Science, Tokyo Women's Medical University; Nozomu Sugo, Head of the Research and Development Headquarters, Kuraray Corporation
2. Overview and Purpose
Tokyo Lab is located within the Tokyo Women's Medical University and Waseda University's TWIns (Advanced Life Medical Science Research and Education Facility), aiming for the fusion of medicine and engineering. It is an urban-type open lab where customers can observe and deepen their understanding of cultivation methods. By closely communicating with customers, it enables rapid data acquisition through in-house experimental facilities and the development of practical applications.
In addition, by collaborating with leading researchers in the field of regenerative medicine and other companies residing in TWIns, we aim to accelerate the development of new technologies.
In the future, we also hope to play a role as a functional evaluation lab that considers the expansion of our materials and technologies to the field of life innovation.
3. Location
Kuraray Co., Ltd. Tokyo Lab
8-1 Kawada-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8666 TWIns 3F N101
Contact Information for Tokyo Lab
Mainland education Corporate Research and Development Headquarters Life Innovation Promotion Group
Contact address: Contact.LIPG@kuraray.com
