RIKEN

　In life sciences research, we are asked to contribute to a safe and secure lifestyle and to overcome the illnesses that plague humankind by discovering new drugs and medical technologies, through the provision of research results in the drug discovery and medical technology field as well as fundamental infrastructures for research and development.

　In order to respond to these expectations, the newly established RIKEN Research Cluster for Innovation at RIKEN has launched the Drug Discovery and Medical Technology Platforms under the leadership of Dr. Toshio Goto, Program Director. Aiming to create Japanese original innovative pharmaceuticals and medical technology, the program utilizes research infrastructures nurtured in life science research and plans for steady implementation by its strategic teams. Exploring the outstanding seeds of drug discovery and medical technology at universities and research institutes, we are building the standard model for research and development in the drug discovery and medical technology field, to proceed research stage for these research seeds and to transfer them form academia research institutions to pharmaceutical companies.

　The flow of the drug discovery process involves the designation of disease targets and mechanisms, the exploration and identification of the lead compounds that act on the proteins linked to disease, optimization of the lead compounds, studies to confirm efficacy, nonclinical studies to confirm safety, and finally clinical studies (Fig. above). Medical technology is wide-ranging but in the case of regenerative medicine, the process involves creating specific cells and structures, confirming their functions, and testing to confirm safety. In order to grow the seeds of drug discovery and medical technologies, the Program for Drug Discovery and Medical Technology Platforms acts as the driving force and leader, advancing effective research and development while utilizing the infrastructure technologies for drug discovery and medical technology.

　To overcomethe baton zone of drug discovery and medical technology research development, Program for Drug Discovery and Medical Technology Platforms rest on three functional pillars, “The Management Team for Leading Research and Development”, “The Seed Cluster aiming for Innovative Drug Discovery and Medical Technology”, and “The Strong Platform Technologies to Support Research and Development”. By closelly linking these three functions, it is possible to advance effective research and development, and to work toward realizing drug discovery and medical technology