News

Apr. 02, 2017

Establishment of Funded Courses at the Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine

-Encouraging Leading-Edge Cancer Research through Department of International Clinical Cancer Research-

Sysmex Corporation (HQ: Kobe, Japan; Chairman and CEO: Hisashi Ietsugu) and National University Corporation Kobe University (Location: Kobe, Japan; President: Hiroshi Takeda) announce the establishment of two funded courses to encourage leading-edge cancer research at the Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, as Department of International Clinical Cancer Research.
The courses aim to cultivate the next generation of advanced medical specialists who can be active on the global stage and promote cancer research at an advanced international level. With this focus, the courses aim to promote research into, and development of, next-generation medical care and new medical devices, and their early deployment in clinical settings.

Remarkable developments are occurring in two major areas of cancer therapy: internal therapy, such as immune checkpoint inhibitors,¹and surgical, which includes endoscopic and robotic surgery.
Focusing on R&D into cancer testing and diagnostic methods, Sysmex is engaged in the development of liquid biopsy² technology—aimed at the selection of cancer treatment methods and recurrence monitoring, applying measurement platforms for genes, cells and proteins, and the development of testing methods using next-generation sequencers. Sysmex is also pursuing the development of medical robots through Medicaroid Corporation (HQ: Kobe, Japan; President: Yasuhiko Hashimoto), a joint venture with Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. (HQ: Kobe, Japan; President: Yoshinori Kanehana).

The two funded courses that are being established, the Department of International Clinical Cancer Research at the Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, aim to apply leading-edge technologies, such as artificial intelligence and robotics technology, to the surgical domain and establish surgical treatment methods for cancer that are minimally invasive and offer complete cures. The courses will also work to cultivate specialized human resources and perform R&D on new medical devices and next-generation medical care, centered on the Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine’s International Clinical Cancer Research Center, which opens on Kobe Port Island on April 2, 2017.
In collaboration with these funded courses, Sysmex will promote R&D of next-generation medical care and new medical devices by utilizing its liquid biopsy technologies and Medicaroid’s robotics technologies.

By establishing new funded courses at Kobe University, in the same city where Sysmex is headquartered, in the field of cancer treatment, an area of focus for Sysmex, the Company aims to make further contributions to the local community. At the same time, by promoting collaboration among industry, the government and academia, we intend to foster the creation of advanced, high-value testing and diagnosis toward the early detection and treatment of cancer and other diseases.

Overview of the Funded Courses
	Course venue:	Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine Department of International Clinical Cancer Research
	Course titles:	(1) Leading-Edge Medical Technology and Applied Sciences Department (2) Advanced Cancer Therapies: Research Promotion Department
	Professors:	(1) Raizo Yamaguchi, Special Lecturer (Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine) (2) Yasuo Sumi, Special Lecturer (Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine)
	Running period:	April 2017 – March 2020
	Key research themes:	(1) Application of leading-edge technologies, such as artificial intelligence and robotics technology, to the surgical domain (2) Establishment of surgical treatment methods for cancer that are minimally invasive and offer complete cures
	Total funds to be donated:	400 million JPY over three years

Terminology
	1	Immune checkpoint inhibitors: New drugs gaining attention as anti-cancer drugs that have few side effects and are highly effective. Cancer cells have an immunosuppressive mechanism, known as an immune checkpoint, to block attacks from the immune system. By blocking this mechanism, these drugs allow attacks on cancer cells.
	2	Liquid biopsy: Similar in performance to a biopsy, which is carried out on a sample taken from tissue such as tumors, but which attempts to reduce the burden on the patient by using blood or body fluid tests.

Information contained in the news release is current as of the date of the announcement,
but may be subject to change without prior notice.

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