Newsletter

From KING SKYFRONT to the world - NanoMedical Innovation
December
2020

COINS' Innovation Platformthat leads toFuture Health Care
Contents
2

Talking about Incubation

Looking ahead to the Cooperation with the World, Establish a
Research・Incubation Support System
ATSUMI Hiroshi, SHIMAZAKI Makoto, NAGAI Koji

6

Interview with Scientists

Create COVID-19 Vaccine Using the Combination of Partially
Double-Stranded mRNA and Nanomachines
UCHIDA Satoshi

8 Research Highlight

Nano-DDS (Epirubicin-loaded nanomedicines)
beat immune checkpoint blockade resistancein Maligant Brain tumors (Glioblastoma)
KINOH Hiroaki

10 Round-Table Talk

Heart to Heart Talk by iCONM Foreign Scientists
TOCKARY Theoﬁlus A., QUADER Sabina, ABBASI Saed

12 Listen to COINSʼ Members
My job and Challenge

TSUCHIYA Chieko, DIRISALA Anjaneyulu, OHTAKE Tomoyuki, KARIYA Yuko

14 Activity Report

・Topics
・Turn adversity into chance! Establish a new online communication method
・Editor s note

8

Vol.

TALK

Looking ahead to the Cooperation
with the World, Establish a Research・
Incubation Support System
The Center of Open Innovation Network for Smart Health (COINS) is about to reach the ﬁnal stage of its ﬁnalization. We asked
Dr. ATSUMI Hiroshi, Business Strategy Manager, Oﬃce for post COINS, Dr. SHIMAZAKI Makoto, Chief Communication Oﬃcer of
COINS / Business Oﬃcer, Oﬃce for post COINS and Dr. NAGAI Koji, Chief Research Coordinator of COINS, about the strategy forstrengthening support and the future vision.

ATSUMI Hiroshi, Ph.D.

Kawasaki Institute of Industrial Promotion
Innovation Center of NanoMedicine
Business Strategy Manager, Oﬃce forpost COINS
He graduated from School of Engineering,
University of Tsukuba. After obtaining Ph.D.
(Science) from Osaka University, he studied
abroad at the Koch Institute for Integrative
Cancer Research at the Massachusetts
Institute of Technology in the United States
as a postdoctoral fellow of the Japan Society
for the Promotion of Science, and wastransferred to the Department of BiologicalEngineering postdoctoral fellow. Participatedin Fast Track Initiative Co., Ltd. from
September 2018, and concurrently started
working at iCONM from December of thesame year.

SHIMAZAKI Makoto, Ph.D.
Kawasaki Institute of Industrial Promotion
Innovation Center of NanoMedicine
Chief Communication Oﬃcer of COINS /Business Oﬃcer, Oﬃce for post COINS

He is from Kawasaki City. He obtained
Ph.D. (Pharmacy) from Tokyo University of
Pharmacy and Life Sciences. After working
as an assistant professor in the Faculty of
Pharmaceutical Sciences and a postdoctoral
fellow at the Scripps Research Institute in the
USA engaged in drug discovery research at theBayer Research Center Kyoto. After that, he
was transferred to the corporate communication
department and started to develop sciencebased communications. He has been serving asa director, a senior director and a vice presidentof communications, mainly in foreign-aﬃliatedpharmaceutical companies and currently
working for iCONM since May, 2019.

Figure 1 Towards the construction of innovation platform

2 | NanoSky VOL.8 DECEMBER 2020

NAGAI Koji, Ph.D.

Kawasaki Institute of Industrial Promotion
Innovation Center of NanoMedicine
Chief Research Coordinator of COINS
He graduated from School of Agricultural
Sciences, Nagoya University and obtained
Ph.D. (Agricultural Sciences) from The
University of Tokyo. He Joined Yamanouchi
Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. and engaged in
drug discovery research from fermented
natural products by also registering at the
National Institute of Advanced Industrial
Science and Technology (AIST). Since
Astellas Pharma Inc. was inaugurated,he has held management positions at the
research laboratories. Then, he served as adirector of the research laboratory at Taiho
Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. and has beenworking at iCONM since May 2019.

iCONM's intellectual property,
public relations, promotion ofstartup support, etc. helped
acceleration of internal andexternal activities.
■ Please introduce yourself ﬁrst.
ATSUMI: I had worked in Boston for six years as a postdoc-

backcasting from its ideal form. When I saw it working in good

toral fellow in biological engineering, so that could brush up

shape, I thought it was new.

my academic career. In Boston life, people from all over the

ATSUMI: I like to think about the future. “In-Body Hospitals”

world inﬂuenced my thoughts and changed my career little byaiming for 2045 is exactly the health care of our future thatlittle. These changes, of course, help my scientiﬁc research, andshould be realized, and I am excited to shape my future bymake me think “research” does not have to be science and how

myself.

I could approach the future society I envisioned. Eventually,
those changes fascinate me. Compared to Boston where start-■ What is the current status of COINS / iCONM?

ups ecosystem already works very well, Japan was still immature. I returned to Japan with hoping that Japanese academia

NAGAI: COINS started its operation in 2013, and iCONM wasand companies would be revitalized through the support ofestablished in April 2015 with the support of Kawasaki City

startups. Now I have been a member of iCONM for two years.

(Fig. 1). In Phase I of COINS, we focused on developing a plat-

SHIMAZAKI: After working at university, I was involved inform such as creating organizations and regulations, enhanc-

drug discovery research for many years as a senior scientist at

ing facilities, and hiring staﬀ , and in Phase II, we proceededa pharmaceutical company, but one day I assumed a position atwith research and social implementation. Now, in Phase III of

the department of communications which I had no experience,

the ﬁnal stage, we joined and strengthen the strategy of thewhat was more, it was as the director position and this situa-

research support system including intellectual property andtion confused me quite bit. Unlike other industries, public re-public relations as well as promoting R & D themes.

lations of pharmaceutical companies are inevitably "defensive"

At iCONM, satellite laboratories from various research insti-

because of regulations such as the Pharmaceutical Aﬀairs Law.

tutes have been consolidated, and collaboration has accelerated,

I later knew that this assignment was to change the culturehasnʼt it? iCONM is smaller compare with universities, so it

and promote science-based communications. Since then, I haveis easier to operate. I think this strength is also working inbeen engaged in the communication jobs for pharmaceutical

the COVID-19 pandemic. Because we were the ﬁrst to takebusiness for 16 years and joined iCONM one and half years

measures against the new coronavirus infection, scientists who

ago.

could not conduct their research at the university were doing

NAGAI: I had been engaged in drug discovery research since I

the research at this satellite lab. Here, the R&D of the project

joined the company, but when I became a manager in my mid-can be continued with almost no delay.

40s, I found myself that a job of bringing together a research

SHIMAZAKI: Intellectual property (IP) counseling sessions forteam and contributing to the company is surprisingly suitable.

scientists are regularly held mainly by those who have been

About 10 years later, when I felt the probability of success ofengaged in the licensing function at pharmaceutical compa-

pharmaceuticals was low and it was in a period of change, I

nies (see Vol.7). IP experts may also be invited from outside.

learned about COINS / iCONM. I thought it would be fasci-

It is necessary to map out an IP strategy before publishingnating to support the eﬀorts of academia and startups to start

new research results, and it is important to coordinate thebusinesses so then I changed my job.

contents and timing of papers, conference presentations, and■ What was your impression when you joined
COINS/iCONM ﬁrst.

press releases (Fig. 2). There are various types of media. The

Figure 2 Platform function

SHIMAZAKI: Returning to Academia, the feeling of spreading
science to the world as a non-proﬁt organization was new experience. What companies send out is perceived as proﬁtable,
so public relations have also been concerned about that point.
My motivation is to be able to convey what I have fostered toyoung people in my experience of transforming communications of pharmaceutical companies into science-based ones.
NAGAI: I was surprised that COINS / iCONM was very diﬀerent from the image of academia I had before.
COINS has set a challenging goal of realizing “In-Body Hospitals” in 2045, and is working on research through industry-academia-government collaboration by breaking down the goal by

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|3

TALK
COINS has taken the next step because the participants fromiCONM oﬃce actively get involved with the scientists.

King SkyFront as an ecosystem
of R&D・social implementation■ COINS will end next ﬁscal year. What are you
doing for the post-COINS?
NAGAI: We have a good cycle of acquiring new funds based on
the outcome so far, and we are now thinking about strategies
for how to connect them from next year onwards.
ATSUMI: COINS project terminates in 2022, but we are aiming for the realization of “In-Body Hospitals” by 2045. To accomplish our research, a system that can continuously generate innovation in iCONM needs to be established, which would
contents of newspapers, magazines, and Web media for therequire research funds and other supports. We are also con-general public tend to become thinner in order to pursue un-sidering eﬀorts to gradually add private funds in addition toderstandability. On the other hand, the contents of media forthe support from Kawasaki City and public research funding.

professionals and industries are richer and more scientiﬁcally

Unlike universities, freshman do not enter to iCONM, thus, it

accurate. As COINS / iCONM is a public institution, informa-

is necessary to actively incorporate resources such as humantion on lay media and local newspapers is important especiallyresources and funds from outside.

for the citizens of Kawasaki to understand our activities, and If

One of the approaches is to have startups collaborate with

we want to connect to the licensing department of companies,

iCONM and co-create for the completion of the “In-Body Hospi-

it is mainly a specialized media. It is important to publicize in atals” and I would like to make innovation happen by interacting

way that suits our purpose, such as in professional journals andscientists with people from companies here. When the startups

industry newspapers. Of course, the licensing opportunities ex-

we work with grow up, I would like to be able to provide

pand if we publicize in both, so the communication strategy inthem support to play an active role overseas. The ecosystem in

the way that suite the appealing parties is valuable. Lately, we

Boston, where universities, research institutes, pharmaceuticalalso published press releases in English on overseas science

companies, clinical trial hospitals, and investors are accumulat-

communication sites. When we posted the results of biologicaled, has been established in 40‒50 years.

test on the chemoimmunotherapy for glioblastoma (see p.8) byI think that there is still a room for improvement in King Sky-

Dr. Kino the other day, we earned over 8,000 views.

Front and Kawasaki City. The other day, I saw the perilla that
I brought back from my parents' ﬁeld died on my balcony. In■ Scientists coming from overseas is increasing,and here is becoming more and more multinational.
The range of occupations, including you, is
expanding, isn’t it?

the original ﬁeld, it grew well with the aid of morning dew and

SHIMAZAKI: Greater diversity of members, such as special-are also considering the way startups and investors could seety, country of origin and company / academia, the membersʼ
opinion reacts

with one another to produce new things . I

think this is what we should orient it to do so. In order to getgood scientists from overseas involved in and bring out theirpotential, Japanese scientists are encouraged to communicate
with foreign scientists. We are thinking every day about how
to ignite chemical reactions between the scientists.
NAGAI: In last year, we have changed the language from Japanese to English on the General meeting that all the COINS'
participating institutions gather and demonstrate their research, and the retreat training camp for human resource development. Foreign scientists have come to speak more actively
and come up with ideas, havenʼt they? I also think that thislays the groundwork for drawing a future in which Japanesescientists will play active roles overseas.
ATSUMI: Several people from iCONM oﬃce also participatedin the last online workshop. The theme was a “Proposal forstart-ups in the post-COVID era”, which makes me feel that

4 | NanoSky VOL.8 DECEMBER 2020

insects, but pests increased in a diﬀerent environment and it
suddenly stopped growing. I keenly felt that without an “ecosystem”, it wouldn't grow up like it should. Besides, we need toreconsider assembling key players for “with / post corona”, andour institute by online lab. tour.
NAGAI: If the equipment and operation method are properlybuilt, research should be done online. Our center is close to theparable to universities, and the excellent environment where

Haneda International Airport, also it will connect with Kawa-

researchers can interact, such as magnet areas. We are work-saki side by a bridge next year. I really want to take advantage

ing with experts in intellectual property and communicationof this great strength and online networking.

support. From now on, we will develop routes that can access

ATSUMI: It is time for the big change in iCONM. When you

the ecosystem in Japan or overseas beyond King SkyFront.

come in about two years, I think it will be changed a lot by

NAGAI:An environment has been cultivated in which aca-

then.

demia startups play a central role for engaging in innovative

SHIMAZAKI: It must be changed. About 70 institutions suchresearch, and I have the expectation that innovation will comeas Biotech and Healthtech have accumulated in King SkyFront,

from such a place. I hope the time will come when major phar-but social science approach is missing to run the ecosystem,

maceutical companies, including those from overseas, will line

and it would be nice to have some universities to come as well,up at iCONM to buy drug seeds in not so long future.

wouldnʼt it? I hear that some people want to have a library. It

SHIMAZAKI: India will become the third largest country inwould be nice if there was an IP management oﬃce where you

GDP in the world in 30 years. Nigeria will come into the top

could consult with the entire King SkyFront.

10 in 2100. The countries with large population of younger

NAGAI: I think it would be nice to have horizontal cooperation

people have power. On the other hand, elderly people need toand communication between institutions so that you can talkwork hard in Japan. It would be appreciated to foster manywith acquaintances of other institutions when you take a walk.

talents who can bridge Japan and the world through iCONM.

SHIMAZAKI: Nice if there are café, beer house, Izakaya, Yakitoriya and so on.
NAGAI: It might be good to serve alcohol once a week at
iCONM.
ATSUMI: Entrepreneurs, investors, scientists, artists, and all

As for communications I think it is necessary to strengthen thestrategy to acquire license partners from all over the world forsocial implementation from now on.
ATSUMI: Going back to the ﬁrst subject, even when I get older, I imagine I will be working actively. In Tonomachi and thesort of people interacted at a venture cafe in Boston. On every

world, I hope that elderly people can maintain their health byThursday, there are events such as pitches and they provide“In-Body Hospitals” anytime, anywhere with a small burden,

free beers up to three, thus it was crowded with many people.

and realize well-being to participate in society.

It's good just to go to listen to the talk, use it as a networking
place, or just to go for a beer after work.
For example, we could organize an event that one scientist

gives 2-3 slides presentation for 5 -10 mins on late afternoon on■ Thank you.

( Interviewer：Science Writer KOJIMA Ayumi )Thursday at iCONM so that we could interact with the people
we donʼt contact daily work. Online would be nice as well.

■ Tell us about your expectation and future vision
for iCONM.
ATSUMI: iCONM has great research facilities which are com-

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Interview

Create COVID-19 Vaccine Using the
Combination of Partially DoubleStranded mRNA and Nanomachines
In 2018, Dr. UCHIDA Satoshi reported that converting parts of messenger RNA(mRNA), which is originally single-stranded, into double-stranded increases
its immunostimulatory effect. And when COVID-19 started spreading, he began
researching and developing a preventive vaccine using this information. We asked
Dr. UCHIDA about the characteristics of this vaccine.

UCHIDA Satoshi, M.D., Ph.D.

Deputy Principal Research Scientist
Kawasaki Institute of Industrial Promotion Innovation Centerof NanoMedicine (iCONM)
Associate Professor
Medical Chemistry, Graduate School of Medical Science,
Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine

The World’s First mRNA Vaccine
Against COVID-19

production of cytokines—was higher than that of the single-stranded mRNA.
On the other hand, the partially double-stranded mRNA almost maintained the ability
to produce antigen proteins, and the ability to produce cytokines was much higher
than that of the single-stranded mRNA. “This mRNA produces antigen proteins, andthe double-stranded areas seem to activate the immune system at the same time, so

It has been about a year since the first case of COVID-19 was reported in China.

we thought it could be a candidate for vaccines.” Subsequently, using chicken egg

The research and development of vaccines have become a global race. Many types

albumin as antigen proteins, he examined its ability to produce antibodies in miceof vaccines prevent virus infections: those that inactivate or attenuate the pathogenic

and its safety and confirmed its immunostimulatory effect in human dendritic cells.

virus, those that genetically modify some of the proteins of the virus, those that

Another major feature of the mRNA vaccine developed by Dr. UCHIDA and his

express antigen protein genes in another virus such as adenovirus, and plasmid DNA

team is that it does not need adjuvants. Adjuvants are usually essential in vaccines

vaccine that expresses antigen protein.

because they take in antigens and activate immune cells. However, conventional

And lastly, a new type of vaccine that is getting a lot of attention—vaccine based

adjuvants cannot be used in mRNA vaccines. “Vaccines are widely used in healthy

on mRNA that expresses antigen proteins. There are safety concerns regarding

people, and because high safety standards are required of adjuvants, its approval for

attenuated vaccines because they use live pathogens, and inactivated vaccines

use in new products is difficult to get,” said Dr. UCHIDA.

must tackle effectiveness issues. On the other hand, mRNA vaccines pose no risk

Apart from the moderate immunostimulatory effect that RNA has, this mRNAof infection, proteins can be designed quickly to match the pathogen, and thevaccine is more immunostimulatory than before due to being partially double-

introduction into antigen-presenting cells is easy as well. Additionally, genotoxicity

stranded, making it adjuvant-free.

that can damage the host cell genome may emerge in plasmid DNA vaccines andThis information on partially double-stranded mRNA is applied to the COVID-19

viral vector vaccines, but there is no risk of this with mRNA vaccines as they do notvaccine. COVID-19 is an RNA virus consisting of a single-stranded RNA viralenter the cell nucleus.

genome. When it infects a cell, it adopts a double-stranded RNA structure (Fig. 2).

Dr. UCHIDA is a member of Theme 3 of the COINS project and is researching

The activation of the immune system due to this double-stranded RNA structure ismRNA vaccines. Moreover, this vaccine is unique in that it uses partially double-

an important immune response to the virus. “Our vaccine utilizes this mechanism tostranded mRNA, which is originally single-stranded (Fig. 1).

induce immunity against COVID-19,” said Dr. UCHIDA.

Adjuvant-Free mRNA Vaccine Born
From Partially Double-Stranded mRNAAt the same time, to compensate for the drawback of mRNA being unstable in vivo,
polymeric micelles are used as nanomachines to house mRNA vaccines. Dr. UCHIDA
said, “Research and development on the use of nanomachines for cancer treatment
and regenerative medicine are in progress. The idea of using nanomachines for

Dr. UCHIDA wanted to find out what would happen if RNA was converted to double-

vaccines has been around since COINS started, but as research progresses in

stranded, so he began his research around 2015. He intended to create a nucleic acidpractice, various benefits have been revealed.” Currently, the mRNA vaccines against

medicine by using RNA to modify mRNA and said, “It is not technically difficult

COVID-19, with clinical trials being conducted, are all encased in lipid nanoparticles,

to combine RNA with mRNA and make it double-stranded, but barely anybody

which have an adjuvant effect.

researched it because it was predicted that double-stranded mRNA would lose its

However, when administered by intramuscular injection, many of them leak out of

ability to translate proteins and would not be able to express proteins.”

the muscle, resulting in their distribution throughout the body. Lipid nanoparticles

When he changed the mRNA design in practice by converting the entire length or aare particularly concentrated in the liver and spleen, and Dr. Uchida said, “Somepart of it into double-stranded and conducted experiments using cultured dendritic

hypotheses state that this contributes to the effectiveness of vaccines, but thecells of mice, he found out that the ability to produce antigen proteins was weakened

expression of antigen proteins in the liver and spleen and the activation of the immune

in full-length double-stranded mRNA, whereas the immunostimulatory effect—thesystem throughout the body may give rise to side adverse effects such as damaging

6 | NanoSky VOL.8 DECEMBER 2020

Fig. 1 Vaccine Using Partially Double-Stranded RNA

Fig. 2 Double-Stranded RNAs have strong
immunostimulatory eﬀects.

An mRNA vaccine under development. The poly(A) strand is combined with thepoly(U) strand, which is the complementary strand. This creates partially doublestranded RNA, which greatly increases the immunostimulatory effect compared tosingle-stranded mRNA. At the same time, it maintains the ability of single-strandedmRNA in protein expression. To protect the mRNA, which is unstable in vivo, from
RNA-degrading enzymes and to enhance its retention in the muscle, it is deliveredin nanomachines.

Single-stranded RNA viruses, including COVID-19, produce double-stranded RNA
structures when they infect cells.

of various organs of the whole body. Our goal is to use nanomachines that stay andThis April, iCONM partnered with the Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical

express proteins only in the muscle.” In other words, the use of nanomachines will

Science, which oversees the design of mRNA derived from COVID-19 and theincrease safety. “The mRNA is degraded within a few days of administration, so theexperiments on viruses and genetically modified animals, while Dr. UCHIDA andimmunostimulatory effect will not last long. Therefore, we believe that side adverse

his team focus on the design of polymeric micelles and administration methods. Dr.

effects are unlikely to occur,” explained Dr. UCHIDA.

UCHIDA said, “Now, my job is to advance the research beyond the basic stages

Acceleration of Research ThroughiCONM’s Research Support System

and into a more advanced stage for clinical development.”
Social implementation is an important mission of COINS. Dr. UCHIDA is awareof it, and he said, “Many companies that are now researching and developing
vaccines have worked on vaccines for emerging infectious diseases such as Ebola

Dr. UCHIDA started conducting research at iCONM in 2015, accelerating mRNAvirus and Zika virus. Therefore, they were able to act quickly against COVID-19.

and vaccine research. Currently, he is acting as the supervisor for several scientists.

We also donʼt plan on forgetting the threat once it is gone and would like to build“iCONM, the research center of the COINS project which Iʼm a member of, isa foundation that will allow us to act swiftly if something were to happen in thewell-equipped and has many experimental facilities, creating a research-friendly

future.” The use of foreign vaccines also means that a lot of money will ﬂow out ofenvironment. Normally, a single block functions as a single laboratory, but at iCONM,

Japan. “Local vaccines are important not only from a business perspective but also

researchers who share a common theme, such as nanomachines or mRNA, can talkbecause Japanese citizens will be the first to receive them,” stated Dr. UCHIDA.

with each other. They can even request someone good at a specific experiment to

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about an opportunity to develop vaccines.

do it for them. I would often look around for people when I go to iCONM,” said Dr.

mRNA vaccines have never been approved before and their efficacy and safety

UCHIDA.

are obscure, so the situation is tough. However, Dr. UCHIDA is going all out withHe also said, “Scientists constantly think about publishing papers properly, but wea big team, including COINS and iCONM scientist, research support organizations,donʼt have any intellectual property strategy. Itʼs nice to have experts who evenand pharmaceutical companies.
( Notes：Science Writer KOJIMA Ayumi )amateurs can consult with at COINS and iCONM,” indicating that he feels reassured
by the fact that COINS and iCONM are strengthening their research support
through methods such as intellectual property strategy and public relations. Patents

PROFILE UCHIDA Satoshi

relations any more than I know about patents. Iʼve seen research making progress as

He graduated from School of Medicine, University of Tokyo in 2007 (M.D.) and completed
Internal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo in 2013 Ph.D.
(Medicine). After working as a project assistant professor at the Graduate School of
Medicine, The University of Tokyo, he joined Kawasaki Institute of Industrial Promotion
Innovation center of NanoMedicine (iCONM) as a visiting scientist, and also became aproject assisitant professor of Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo.
He has been in his current position since September 2020.

a result of publicities, and Iʼm aware of its power. Being able to consult closely with

Reference

public relations experts is helpful in terms of promoting not only the research results＊1 S. Uchida et al., Designing immunostimulatory double stranded messenger
RNA with maintained translational activity through hybridization with poly A
sequences for eﬀective vaccination. Biomaterials 150 162-170 (2018)

related to partially double-stranded mRNA and polymeric micelles have been appliedfor, with some of them already granted.
He has benefited from public relations as well. “I donʼt know anything about public

but also individual researchers,” said Dr. UCHIDA.

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Topics

Research Topics

Nano-DDS (Epirubicin-loaded nanomedicines)
beat immune checkpoint blockade resistancein Maligant Brain tumors (Glioblastoma).
Chemo-immunotherapy using nano-DDS (Epirubicin-loaded nanomedicine) and immune checkpoint inhibitors (anti-PD1 antibody)
deplete inoculated GL261 glioblastoma (GBM) and all mice with transplanted glioblastoma survived for more than four months.
Particularly, the combination with nano-DDS even showed a remarkable anti-tumor effect against CT2A GBM (PTEN negative
GBM), which is resistant to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI)1 alone. The number of tumor-inﬁltrating lymphocytes (TILs)2 has
increased greatly and effectively attacked cancer cells, while myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs)3, which interfere withimmune responses, have reduced signiﬁcantly. Furthermore, mice were rejected after glioblastoma rehallenge (re-inoculation).

KINOH Hiroaki, Ph.D.
Principal Research Scientist/ Deputy Head
Kawasaki Institute of Industrial Promotion
Innovation Center of NanoMedicine

GBM is a brain tumor with an extremely fast progression andincrease in the accumulation of epirubicin in tumor tissue as comparedpoor prognosis (5-year survival rate: 10.1%). Although the clinicalto administration of epirubicin alone. Additionally, when the AUC6 ofdevelopment of several compounds as drug candidates is in progress,

normal brain tissue and tumor tissue was compared, we found out it

there is currently no drug therapy that can signiﬁcantly improve

was 67 times higher in tumor tissue, indicating that the bioavailability ofsurvival. Namely, patients with abnormalities in the PTEN gene4, one ofnanomicelles (Epi/m), in which epirubicin is encapsulated in polymeric

the cancer suppressor genes, are highly resistant to immune checkpoint

micelles, is signiﬁcantly higher in GBM tissue, and that side eﬀects from

inhibitor (ICI) therapy and have high medical needs.

epirubicin can be reduced.

PTEN gene is known to mutate in GBM as well as endometrial cancer

In models with GBM cells of normal PTEN gene (GL261-luc) transplanted,

and is believed to be present in nearly 40% of GBM patients. In our

the administration of Epi/m 5mg/kg + anti-PD-1 antibody 5mg/kg

study, we also observed that 40% of GBM mouse models with normal

resulted in the survival of all models for more than 70 days, showing

PTEN genes survived for more than 70 days after ICI administration (alla remarkable prolongation of survival. (In the control group, all models

models in the control group died within one month), while those models

died within 30 days. The administration of anti-PD-15 mg/kg alone

with altered PTEN genes showed resistance to ICI therapy (all models

resulted in 40% surviving for more than 70 days, and Epi/m 5mg/kg

administered with ICI also died within one month).

alone resulted in 80% surviving for more than 70 days.) In contrast,

We know that at the cellular level, PTEN-deﬁcient cells (CT2A-luc)

in models in which GBM cells with altered PTEN (CT2A-luc) wereexpressed about ﬁve times more PD-L1 than that of normal cells (GL261-

transplanted, only 30% survived for more than 70 days at the same dose,luc), which is thought to be responsible for the resistance to ICI therapy.

and no clear life-prolonging eﬀect was observed. (In the control group,

It is known that anthracycline anticancer drugs suppress PD-L1

all models administered with anti-PD-1 antibody 5mg/kg died within 30

expression in breast cancer. We thought that if epirubicin, a common

days, and 50% of the models administered with Epi/m 5mg/kg survived

anthracycline anticancer drug, could be eﬀectively delivered to the GBM

for more than 35 days.)lesion, the eﬀects of ICI could be enhanced. Therefore, together with ICI,

Next, we increased the dose to Epi/m 15mg/kg + anti-PD-1 antibody

we conducted chemoimmunotherapy5 using nanomicelles that contain

5mg/kg, and when we assessed the survival rate, we found out that 90%

epirubicin in polymeric micelles.

of the models survived for more than 70 days, conﬁrming a remarkable

Epirubicin is an anticancer drug that inhibits cell division by directly

life-prolonging eﬀect. (In the control group, all models died within 30

binding to DNA. It has cytotoxic properties through the inhibition ofdays, while 90% of those administered with antibody 5mg/kg died within

topoisomerase II and has adverse eﬀects on organs and hematopoietic

30 days, and 50% of those administered with Epi/m 15mg/kg survived

organs throughout the body. However, when we performed intravenous

for more than 40 days.) Moreover, we observed signiﬁcant viable

administration of polymeric micelles containing epirubicin into mice

rejection of PTEN-deﬁcient GBM cells when we re-transplanted themtransplanted with CT2A-luc in the brain, it resulted in a 160-foldinto the long-lived mice. (Reference 1)

8 | NanoSky VOL.8 DECEMBER 2020

Fig. ICD7 Polymeric Micelles Encapsulated with Induced Epirubicin Overcome Anti-PD-1
Antibody Resistance in PTEN-Negative Glioblastoma Respective Captions of ABCD

(Epi/m). These micelles are in Phase I and II clinical trials.

The eﬀects of Epi/m, anti-PD-1 antibody (a-PD-1), and antitumor activities
of Epi/m and PD-1 against PTEN-negative orthotopic CT2A-luc tumors were
presented in the form of the mice s survival. The combination of Epi/m anda-PD-1 eradicates the tumor and provides long-term immunological memory.

Immunoﬂuorescence microscopy images of CD8+ T cells, M1-like

Evaluation by ﬂow cytometry. CD8+ T cells, CD8+ T/Treg ratio, M1-likemacrophages, and dendritic cell inﬁltration in CT2A tumors after

macrophages, and mature dendritic cells after treatment with Epi/m, anti-

treatment with Epi/m, anti-PD-1 antibody (a-PD-1), and Epi/m andPD-1 antibody (a-PD-1), and Epi/m+a-PD-1. The combined administration ofanti-PD1-1 antibody (a-PD-1).

Epi/m and aPD-1 increased the level of anti-tumor immune cells in the tumor.

The scheme of polymeric micelles encapsulated with pH-sensitive

Glossary of Terms＊1

Immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI)

When T cells inﬁltrating cancer tissues approach cancer cells, they express a ligand called PD-L1 on
the surface of the cancer cells. It is known that when this PD-L1 binds to the PD-1 receptor on thesurface of T cells, T cells lose their ability to attack cancer cells. Drugs that inhibit the binding of PDL1 are called immune checkpoint inhibitors. In this study, we used the anti-PD-1 antibody in mice.

＊2

Tumor-inﬁltrating lymphocytes (TILs)

For T cells, a type of lymphocyte, to be able to recognize and attack specific cancer cells, theymust inﬁltrate cancer tissues and encounter the cancer cells. In refractory cancers, however, somemechanisms can prevent T cell inﬁltration.
For immune checkpoint inhibitors to work successfully, T cell activation and a suﬃcient number of TILs
to induce it are essential.

＊3

Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells (MDSCs)

Cancer cells secrete immunosuppressive substances and induce the production of immunosuppressive
cells in the bone marrow. As a result, cells that attack cancer cells, such as T cells and dendritic cells,
are inactivated, and cancer cells can avoid the immune system. For immune checkpoint inhibitors to beeﬀective, T cell activation is essential. To this end, the number of MDSCs needs to be reduced.

Reference＊4 PTEN (Phosphatase and Tensin homologue deleted on chromosome 10)
A tumor suppressor gene that negatively regulates the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, which promotes
the proliferation of genes and cells. Abnormal expression of this gene, such as mutations, frequently
promotes malignant transformation of cells and creates an environment where disease progression is
likely to occur in cancer tissues.

＊5

Chemoimmunotherapy (CIT)

A combination of chemotherapy and immunotherapy for cancer. It is a cancer treatment method that
attacks cancer cells by improving the attacking power of T cells that attack cancer cells and weakening
cancer’s defense response to reduce its attacking power.

＊6

AUC (area under the concentration-time curve)

It refers to the area bounded by the curve representing the change in drug concentration over time (drugconcentration in blood-time curve) and the horizontal axis (time axis). Since we cannot directly measure
the amount of drug that has entered the bloodstream, we use AUC.

＊7

Immunogenic Cell Death (ICD)

Certain types of anticancer drugs and agents, such as epirubicin, kill cancer cells in a manner that has
a higher chance of eliciting an immune response than normal necrosis or apoptosis. This cell death is
known as immunogenic cell death. Several mechanisms have been reported, including the exposure ofmolecules on the cell membrane surface, which makes them the targets of the immune system.

1. H. Kinoh, S. Quader, H. Shibasaki, X. Liu, A. Maity, T. Yamasoba, H. Cabral, K. Kataoka, Translational nanomedicine boosts anti-PD-1 therapy to eradicate orthotopic PTENnegative
glioblastoma. ACS Nano 14 Issue 8 10127-10140 (2020)

NanoSky VOL.8

DECEMBER

2020|9Heart to Heart Talk
by iCONM Foreign
Scientists

The anxiety we had
before coming to Japandisappeared because of thepeople around us

Theo：Thatʼs wonderful. In my case, I continue

had no communication problems but on theto study the language and keep the motivation

administrative side, the staff in the iCONM

alive by reading books. Japanese is one of the

management office were not very accustomed tomost difficult languages in the world, but I figure

foreigners at first, but now they are able to talkthat it really helps living here and immersed withlittle by little and they are fully supportive of us.

Theo：At the beginning, I struggled with thethe culture. It's not easy, but it may be a fruitful

They will help us with all sort of things such as

language. There are formal and informal forms inendeavor.

housing, family, and visa application, etc. The

Japanese language. Trying to learn these two

administration office also helped me apply forfor me.

There is a full support
system for both researchand life aspect

Saed：The problem I had was the cultural

Saed：When I first arrived in Japan in 2013,

population growth rate among other Japanesebarrier in communication. I first came to Japan

Japanese universities were not yet ready tocities. Also, there are progressive aspects such as

as a student. It was not that easy to communicate

accept international students, but my experience

the early enforcement of hate crime laws.

well with people around me at the beginning.

was completely different when I came to iCONM

Sabina：I think in 10 years, places where I

Sabina：I was very lucky to have beautiful

in 2018. I was amazed because there was astayed in Tokyo and Kawasaki area alreadypeople around me. My daughterʼs friendʼs mum

strong facilitation and support system for foreign

improved quite a lot. So many people can speaktranslated school-related communications inresearchers.

English now in the city.

English and every week she gave it to me.

Sabina：Yes, thatʼ right. I came to iCONM first

Everyone was so helpful and did it selflessly.

at the time of establishment. There were many

That is the reason may be why I have been

foreign scientists in the laboratory, and I could

iCONM is a melting pot ofdiversity that is inspiring

living here for so long.

always speak English about my research, so I

Saed：All three of us are the same in that weforms simultaneously and choosing when and to
who to use them with had been particularly hard

10 | NanoSky VOL.8 DECEMBER 2020

“Kakenhi” (Grands in Aid for Scientific research).
Saed：Kawasaki City, where King SkyFront andiCONM are located, has one of the fastest

The world’s best R & D hub"Innovation Center of NanoMedicine(iCONM)" in life science field. As
COINS members, young scientists
from all over the world genuinely
talked about their research andprospects.

joined iCONM to do research with Professor
Kazunori Kataoka. The great thing about
working here is the diversity of people and thefact that all the instrumentation I need for myresearch is in this building. For us as scientists,having state-of-the-art equipment and facilities isvery attractive.
Sabina：Yes, I agree. The King SkyFront has
many unique research institutions and facilities
and is very inspiring. The iCONM is a paradisefor scientists in the nanomedical science field.
Theo： iCONM is undoubtedly diverse. We havescientist from India, Belgium, Mexico, China,
Jordan, Bangladesh, and Indonesia to name a few.
It's also great to have a summer internshipstudent program. Personally, it is a very goodlearning experience. You can also get powerfulresearch support here. At the press conference, I
had a great support from the staff of the COINS
Research Promotion Support office in making
slides for my presentation, seeing me struggling
with the various technical Japanese terminologies

Theo

SabinaB o rn in I n d o n e sia . H e c a m e to
Japan in 20 0 8. Received a PhD
from the University of Tokyo in 2013.
After participating in Kataoka Lab,h e c a m e to iC O N M . P revio u sly
working on DNA nanostructures, henow focuses on mRNA vaccine forcancer and infectious diseases.

Born in Bangladesh. She came to Japan
in 2010. Received a PhD from Griffith
University, Australia in 2007. After working
in Katao ka L a b, at the U niversit y ofTokyo, she moved to iCONM. Currently
developing nanomedicine based drug for
malignant glioblastoma and pediatric brain
tumors.

Tockary, Theoﬁlus A., Ph.D. Quader, Sabina, Ph.D.

Saed

Abbasi, Saed, Ph.D.
Born in Jordan. He came to Japan
in 2013. After obtaining a PhD from
Hokkaido University in 2 018 , hejoined iCONM. Researching one-shotand permeant treatments based on
genome editing. He is also developing
a vaccine for COVID-19.

to use. Thanks to that, I was able to make a very

developed countries. We do not havesuccessful presentation.

established nanomedicine research in

Saed： I had experience in applying for patent

Bangladesh, drug delivery field is quite new.

here and process was very fast and very smooth.

Recently, I made a proposal with a Bangladesh

We have a specialized team here at iCONM to

professor who actually wants to visit iCONM

bridge between the patent application authority

for research. If everything goes well, myand the researchers.

expertise could be used for both countries.

Theo：Unlike other research institutions, iCONM

Saed：iCONM provides us with funds and good

has facilities related to organic synthesis, cell

opportunities to collaborate or to expand our

culture, pharmacological experiments, etc. all

network and one example is the COINS Seminar.

these under one roof, so we can learn about fields

It is a good opportunity to expand our networks

other than our own. We also have medicalwith well-known researchers from all over the

doctors who may share with us on whatʼs reallyworld.

expected of our research from patients. This is

Theo： I have so much expectation for theimportant for advancing research.

business incubation in iCONM. Such activity

Saed：It is very multidisciplinary research teamrequires support on patent issues. iCONM'sof pharmacists, chemists, engineers, and medical

patent support team will provide this support for

doctors. It is like a melting pot of different

patent applications not only in Japan, but also

expertise, all working to develop the same goal.

Europe and the United States. In the future, I

Theo：It is very diverse not only terms offoresee that this patent support can be easily

nationality but also in terms of the researchextended to countries where growth is expected,

background, skills.

such as Asia and ASEAN countries.

iCONM makes a push toscientists’ dreams and passions

Sabina：We innovate something here and at theSaed： iCONM is going to set a new strategy forpeople who are in this field.

same place, we have an opportunity to make itreality. I think this is maybe the dreams of theattracting incubation and start-ups. It iswonderful that the results of the basic research
we are currently conducting will lead to startups
here. The facility itself was built based on thisidea, half of the building is for academic researchand the other half is for social implementation.
Sabina：So in this case, we can expect that ourinnovation, also has a chance to make a start-up,
isnʼt it? It is wonderful that the results of thebasic research we are currently conducting willlead to start-ups here. The facility itself wasbuilt based on this idea, half of the building is
for academic research and the other half is forsocial implementation. Bangladesh is a relatively
young country, only 40 years old. We have very
little basic innovation, so what we are doing
now is may be taking the technology from
NanoSky VOL.8

DECEMBER

2020

| 11

Listen to

COINS�
Members

TSUCHIYA Chieko
I transmit the appeal of DDS drugs to investors, a newconcept that combines engineering and medical science
invented by Dr. KATAOKA Kazunori, Director General of
iCOMN, and create the value of bio-ventures.

My job andHead of CEO's Oﬃce
NanoCarrier Co., Ltd.

Create corporate value by transmitting newtechnologies created by iCONM to investors

I involved in the early stages of research,acid medicine created by iCONM, and have

Currently, I’m in charge of IR, which is expected toabsorbed new values. Through drugs that eﬃciently

create corporate values through the transmission ofincluding studying the manufacturing methods oftransport mRNA—which is also getting a lot of

the appeals of a company to investors. Support

micelle formulations. At NanoCarrier, we never lackattention as a vaccine—and other nucleic acids

from investors is essential for drug development

people who are passionate about creating andthat are expected to lead the future of medicine

ventures to be proactive. I will continue to take indelivering innovative drugs. Since micelle

into cells, we promote the development of

new values created at iCONM and promote

formulation is a new concept, we encounter many

innovative therapeutic drugs for targets that could

activities that communicate the appeal of innovative

issues during its development. Nonetheless, we

not be targeted before. Although the members oftechnologies to not only scientist but also investors.

have made steady progress by integrating thethe clinical development team feel a sense ofknowledge of members with rich experience inmission to put the drugs to practical use as soon as

pharmaceutical companies, and now, several latepossible using the experience gained in thephase clinical trials are being conducted.

development of micelle formulations, they also feel

joined NanoCarrier in 2000 and was

I also feel a high level of expectation as we haveexcited about this challenge.

been contacted by patients who want to take partI believe the products I have researched will reachin clinical trials. Furthermore, we have integrated

patients and contribute to their health and well-with AccuRna, which aims to complete the nucleic

being.

When I was studying
the manufacturingmethod and evaluation
method of NC-6004

DIRISALA Anjaneyulu, Ph.D. iCONM Research Scientist

Think Big to Engineer Nano

Based on the concept of "InBody Hospitals", we areconducting research on
incorporating specific genes
using smart supramolecular
nanomachines designed
according to the purpose.

T “imagination is the highest form of

revolutionary solutions to health problems such asdeliver keynote lecture on“Engineering In-Body

research”. One recent example of scientificpredictive, preventive, and personalized medicine

Hospitals”in the India-Japan S&T webinar series.

imagination is the visionary concept of Prof.

which aid the realization of a disease-free society;Also, I delivered a presentation on core research

KATAOKA’s “In-Bo dy Hospit als”, whichd) cutting-edge research with world-class state-of-themes of iCONM to Indian university students. I

constantly ignites my inspiration to think big tothe-art instrumentation. India has emerged as theam thankful for the opportunity to meet many

he legendary Einstein once said:

scientific thrust but also leadership qualities; c)

symposium. Later, Prof. Kataoka was invited toengineer nanomachines that aid the realization ofworld’s ﬁfth-largest economy and is projected toworld-renowned experts and listen to their successthe“In-Body Hospitals”. I was born and raised in

become the second-largest economy by 2050,

stories through the COINS seminar series.

India and received double Master’s degree inwith a majority of the population under the age ofBiochemistry and Medical Biotechnology. Next, I

25. This encourages us to invite Indian students

went onto obtain Ph.D. in Bioengineering from thevia youth exchange programs. I had an opportunity

University of Tokyo. Later, I had an opportunity toto streamline the partnership between iCONM andcontinue my research on engineering

the Department of Science and Technology,

nanomachines. After spending 5 years at theGovernment of India, via S&T partnership initiatives

iCONM, I can unequivocally say that iCONM is aorganized by the Embassy of India, Tokyo.

unique research institute wherein researchers canFollowed by this partnership, the Minister ofexperience a) the multidisciplinary science with

Economy and Commerce par ticipa t ed in

the multicultural background; b) not only aroundtable networking of the 6th COINS

12 | NanoSky VOL.8 DECEMBER 2020

With Prof. MATYJASZEWSKI, Prof. KATAOKA, andcolleagues after the COINS seminarrewarading
OHTAKE Tomoyuki

Research & Technology Development Group Leader
Corporate R&D Division, I&S Department
NOF CORPORATION

Supporting Advanced Research andDevelopment Through High-Purity Polymers
and Collaborative Creations

We are developing new polymers for DDS,
regenerative medicine and tissue engineering. I
hope the high-purity materials will contribute to
the progression of advanced medicine

N development in the pharmaceutical andto create and nurture new businesses without

We would like to contribute to the progress of thebeing bound by existing our businesses. Its firstadvanced medical and pharmaceutical industry

medical industry by providing high-quality

target is on the advanced pharmaceutical andthrough collaborative creations with everyone onpolyethylene glycol (PEG) derivatives and lipid

medical industry fields. Located in the King

providing new polymers as well, on top of PEG
and MPC derivatives.

OF C o r p o r a t i o n p u r s u e s b u s i n e s sderivatives for DDS and methacryloyloxyethyl

SkyFront area, where many life sciences

phosphorylcholine (MPC) polymer derivatives forcompanies have gathered, and with leading

diagnostic reagents and medical devices. Until

researchers of this industry, iCONM is truly at thenow, the DDS Laboratory has participated inforefront of development. As a chemical

COINS on developing and supplying block

manufacturer, we would like to support all forms

polymers for various polymer micelles, andof development by making polymers purer,

starting from this year, as our new department for

improving them, and providing samples. We are

the new business development, of which I’m aafraid that we have not been able to introduce

member, we have also set up a laboratory inourselves due to COVID-19, but please feel free

iCONM and joined COINS.

to contact us if you have any problems related to

The new department is an organization that aims

polymers.

KARIYA Yuko
I support research activities
a t i C O NM t h r o u g h t h emanagement of common
laboratories, common
equipment, and laboratory
animals of iCONM.

With members of the New Business Development Oﬃce,
NOF Corporation at iCONM Room

Innovation Center of NanoMedicine (iCONM)
Management Department, Innovation Support Group
Laboratory Management Team

Support research withaccumulated know-how

I since I got involved in thesmoothly and safely. In addition to receiving

abnormality in an animal, appropriate animal

legal training on safety and health, animal

experiments can be done from the viewpoint

establishment of an animal facility for the ﬁrst

experiment ethics, and biosafety, the newlyof animal welfare.

time in the project of Dr. KATAOKA Kazunori,appointed scientists also attend workshop on

I will continue to support the scientist with myDirector General of iCONM.

how to use the laboratory. Compliance isutmost for their greater results.

In the beginning, I was only engaged inguaranteed by conducting research activities

looking after animals as a veterinarian, but

in accordance with these contents.

t has been already more than 10 years

after the establishment of iCONM, I became

When using the equipment, it is possible toin c h a r g e o f m a n a g in g e x p e r im e n t a l

use it smoothly and systematically by using

equipment, and here I got still managed to be

the online reservation system and borrowing

here with the help of our scientist though

the key of the equipment with an ID card.

struggling to handle unfamiliar analysis

Furthermore, since who, when, and which

equipment.

equipment was used is accumulated as data,

At iCONM, where various companies,

it can easily grasp the situation if a trouble

universities, and research institutes conduct

occurs and charge the usage fee. At the

research under the one roof, all kinds of eﬀort

animal facility, staﬀ with specialized skills inare input to obtain the maximum outcome forcare of laboratory animals, and in order toeveryone to use laboratories and equipment

notify scientists immediately when there is an

I check condition of every single animal every day.

NanoSky VOL.8

DECEMBER

2020

| 13

ACTIVITY REPORTTopics June 2019 – September 2020

◦6.14.2019【Activity】12th General Meeting was held.

◦6.24.2019【Press release】"J-Startup" by public and private! The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry
has newly identified 49 companies as startup support companies and announced their press. COINS's
venture company Braizon Therapeutics is among the 49 companies.
◦6.25.2019【Activity】COINS Seminar #45 was held at iCONM.
Speaker: Dr. MIYAGISHI Makoto, Group Leader, Molecular Composite Medicine Research Group,Biomedical
Research Institute, Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST)
Title: " Development of screening method of nucleic acid aptamer, and its application to finding of DNA/RNA
catalyst"◦6.28.2019【Information】"Nanomachines that carry nucleic acid medicine for fundamental treatment ofhereditary intractable disease. Launched crowdfunding for R&D and disease enlightenment."◦7.1.2019【Activity】Deputy Director-General Mr. YAMAWAKI of the MEXT and participants of the JapanChina OTC exchange meeting visited COINS, iCONM.
◦7.4.2019【Press release】Tokyo Medical and Dental University has made a press release that a manuscript"Enhancement of Motor Function Recovery After Spinal Cord Injury in Mice by Delivery of Brain Derived
Neurotrophic Factor mRNA" by Dr. ITAKA Keiji, COINS Theme 3 leader, Professor, Tokyo Medical and Dental
University, et al. has been published online in "Molecular Therapy-Nucleic Acids" on June 28, 2019.
◦7.8.2019【Coverage】 The article about the research team of Dr. ITAKA Keiji (Professor, Tokyo Medical and
Dental University), was appeared in Qlife Pro.
◦7.15.2019【Coverage】The article about the research team of Dr. ITAKA Keiji, was appeared in Nikkei
Shimbun Electronic version and Nihon Keizai Shimbun.
The research theme was “Recovery by spinal cord injury mouse RNA administration”.
◦7.15.2019【Coverage】An interview article “ From DDS to ‘In-Body Hospitals’ practitioner of medicalindustrial collaboration” of Dr. KATAOA Kazunori, Director General of iCONM has been published in themagazine Pharmaceutical Economics.
◦7.15-17.2019【Activity】 Dr. KATAOKA Kazunori, Director General of iCONM gave a keynote speech at"Symposium on Innovative Polymers for the Nanomedicine of the 21st Century" held at Jena in Germany.
◦7.17-19【Activity】Mr. IWASAKI, Vice-Director gave a lecture at “International Modern Hospital Show 2019”.
◦7.26 – 27.2019【Coverage】An article about Dr. . MATSUMURA Yasuhiro (Chief, Division of Developmental
Therapeutics, EPOC, National Cancer Research Center), member of our center's COINS project, waspublished in the evening paper Fuji.
26th：A new treatment "DDS" that strikes cancer cells and breaks through barriers
27th：Interstitial Targeting Therapy to Challenge High-grade Cancer◦7.31.2019【Activity】The COINS Seminar #46 was held.
Speaker: Dr. Nuno M. NEVES, Associate Professor, University of Minho /Vice Director of 3B's.
Title: Nanoparticles and Nanofibrous Scaffolds Combined with Stem Cells for Advanced Therapies◦7.31.2019【Coverage】An interview articles about Dr. OCHIYA Takahiro (Professor, Tokyo Medical University,
Visiting Researcher, National Cancer Center Research Institute) who is a member of COINS was publishedin Nihon Keizai Shimbun Electronic Edition and Nihon Keizai Shimbun (date of July 31, 2019). The interview
title was “Early cancer test in blood, ‘garbage’ breaks through (report), can cancer be overcome (3)”.
◦7.31.2019【Activity】Participants in industrial location practical workshops, President of the Darma Persada
University, Indonesia, and second-year students of science department, Kawasaki city Hight School for
Science and Technology visited iCONM.
◦8.1.2019【Activity】”King SkyFront Summer Science Event 2019,” organized by Kawasaki City, was held

◦8.5.2019【Coverage】An article “Aiming for cells and tissues that interfere with the efficacy of “Cancer allies”
commented by Dr. MATSUMURA Yasuhiro (Chief, Division of Developmental Therapeutics, EPOC, National
Cancer Research Center) who is a member of COINS was published in Nihon Keizai Shimbun Electronic
Edition and Nihon Keizai Shimbun.
◦8.5.2019【Coverage】An article about Dr.ITAKA Keiji (Professor, Tokyo Medical and Dental University), wasappeared in Daily pharmaceutical industry. A title of the article was “mRNA medicine" breaks or attention
strain following nucleic acid medicine”.
◦8.6.2019【Coverage】An article “Discovering the phenomenon of drugs gathering in cancer, maintaining
the effectiveness of anticancer drugs (trajectory of innovation)” commented by Dr. MATSUMURA Yasuhiro(Chief, Division of Developmental Therapeutics, EPOC, National Cancer Research Center) who is a memberof COINS was published in Nikkei Business Daily Electronic Edition and Nikkei Business Daily.

Translational Research Center, Keio University School of Medicine.
Title: " PRDM14 silencing by siRNA combined with an innovative nanoparticle reduced tumor formationand metastasis "◦9.11.2019【Award】Dr. MATSUMOTO Akira, (Associate Professor, Tokyo Medical and Dental University),
received 68th SPSJ Annual Meeting of the Publicity Award.
Title：Microneedle type “just stick” artificial pancreas: dramatically improved invasiveness, stability,
economy and aesthetics◦9.13.2019 【Coverage】 An interview with Dr. AKINAGA Shiro, President of AccuRna, Inc. the main
project COINS, was published in the Nikkei Business Daily. A title of the article was “Dr. AKINAGA Shiro,
President of AccuRna, Inc. “NuclAeic acid medicine in clinical settings”.
◦9.15.2019【Coverage】An articles about Dr.Masamune Ken ( Professor,Tokyo Women's Medical University)
published in the magazine Pharmaceutical Economics. A title of the article was “Integrate information topredict postoperative. Practitioner of medical-industrial collaboration”.
◦9.26.2019【Activity】iCONM decided October 2019 to be "Compliance Awareness Month" and conduct
activities to promote compliance with research ethics and use of public research expenses.
◦9.28.2019【Coverage】The TV program “Seimeiiji no Kaname Exosome” which Dr. OCHIYA Takahiro(Professor, Tokyo Medical University, Visiting Researcher, National Cancer Center Research Institute ),Tokyo Medical University appeared was released on NHK E-TV "Science ZERO".
◦9.30.2019【Activity】The members of Kawasaki Saginuma Rotary Club visited iCONM.
◦10.9-11.2019【Activity】iCONM had an exhibition booth at “BioJapan 2019”.

◦10.10.2019【Coverage】An article about Dr. ANRAKU Yasutaka (Project Professor, The University ofTokyo), was appeared in JSTnews. A title of the article was “Pioneer scientist ―Opens up his own way
keeping his teacher's words as spiritual nourishment.”◦10.16.2019【Coverage】An interview with Deputy Director, Mr. IWASAKI was broadcasted on BS TV Tokyo“Nikkei Plus 10”.
◦10.16.2019【Coverage】An article of the COINS’ venture companies Braizon Therapeutics, Inc. waspublished in Chemical Daily. The title was “Braizon develops childhood brain tumor drugs in-house,
applying DDS to known anticancer drugs”.
◦10.18-19.2019【Activity】COINS Retreat Camp 2019 “Looking ahead to globalization and the arrival of the
AI era” was held at the Shonan Village Center.
◦10.21.2019 【Coverage】 An interview article “Research goal is In-Body Hospital” with Dr. KIMURA
Hiromichi (Project Leader of COINS) was published in The Chemical Daily.
◦10.24.2019【Activity】COINS seminar #49 was held. Lecturer: Dr. Rainer HAAG (Chair, Professor of
Organic and Micromolecular Chemistry, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Freie Universität
Berlin, Germany) Title: Multivalent Nanosystems and Supramolecular Dendritic Architectures.
◦10.25.2019【Press release】A press conference was held by Dr. KATAOKA Kazunori, Director General of
iCONM, Dr. OSADA Kensuke (Senior Scientist of QST) and Dr. TOCKARY Theofilus A. (Research Scientistof iCONM). A novel technology has been developed to convert the double helix structure of DNA into asingle strand of DNA (ssDNA), roll it into a compact form, and encapsulate it inside a smart nanomachine.
This research result was published in "ACS Nano" This article was introduced in the Chemical Daily,
Nikkei Biotech ONLINE and Nikkei Beyond Health, etc.
◦10.28.2019【Coverage】An interview article “Brain tumor treatment with nanomachine” of Dr. QUADER
Sabina, Senior Research Scientist of iCONM, was published in The Chemical Daily.
◦10.31.2019【Activity】CEA France, Hong Kong Trade Development Council, participants of National
Association of science and mathematics research meeting and high school students from Philippines
visited iCONM.
◦11.2.2019【Activity】A public talk session was held at Miraikan.

◦11.8.2019【Coverage】An article about “Analysis of exosomes one by one” Dr. ICHIKI Takanori, Professor,
The University of Tokyo, a leader of COINS Theme 4, was appeared in The Nikkei Business Daily.
◦11.11.2019【Coverage】An article about “Nanomachine is the growth engine” of Dr. KATAOKA Kazunori,
Director General of iCONM, was published in The Chemical Daily.
◦11.15.2019【Coverage】An interview article of Dr. KATAOKA Kazunori, Director General and Mr. IWASAKI
Hirokazu, Deputy Director was published in the magazine “Pharmaceutical Economy”. A title was “Don't
let technology dying in large companies medical-engineering practitioners⑩”.

◦8.8.2019【Coverage】An Interview article with Dr. TOSU Mariko, President of COINS venture companies
Blazon Therapeutics, Inc. was published in Nikkei Beyond Health.

◦11.21.2019【Information】Dr. KATAOKA Kazunori, , Director General of iCONM, has been selected to 2019
Highly Cited Researcher in Clarivate Analytics (Web of Science).

◦8.8.2019【In formation】COINS' venture company Braizon Therapeutics, Inc. was selected as one of the ten
startups as the recipients of support measures under the first round of a call for applicants for the FY2019
IP. They will be able to receive support of an “IP Mentoring Team” consisting of selected experts in the fieldsof business and IP for help to develop IP strategies for accelerating their businesses.

◦11.21.2019【Coverage】Yomiuri Shimbun covered the matters that we presented at the press conference
held on October 25. The article entitled as "A New Carrier for Gene Therapy – Development of An Artificial
Vector Capable of Also Encapsulating Larger-Sized Genes"◦8.15.2019【Coverage】An article about Dr. SOGA Kouhei (Professor, Tokyo University of Science) who is amember of s COINS published in the magazine Pharmaceutical Economics. A title of the article was “In-vivo
imaging with near-infrared. Practitioner of medical-industrial collaboration”.
◦8.19-22.2019【Award】Dr. Junjie Li, a JSPS Postdoctoral Fellow for Research in Japan received CASNNBest Poster Award at Chinese-American Society of Nanomedicine and Nanobiotechnology 2019 Annual
Conference held on August 19 – 22 in Hangzhou, China.
◦8.20.2019 【Information】 AccuRna Inc. announced that the company enters into a Feasibility Study
Agreement with Astellas Innovation Management LLC subsidiary of Astellas Pharma Inc for the use ofdelivery system of polymer micelle1 loaded with messenger RNA (mRNA) under pre-clinical developmentby AccuRna.
◦8.21.2019【Activity】Mr. HIRAI Takuya（Minister in charge of Information Technology Policy, "Cool Japan"
Strategy, the Intellectual Property Strategy, Science and Technology Policy, Space Policy” visited KingSkyFront.
◦8.28.2019【Activity】COINS Seminar #47 was held.
Part1: Speaker Dr. IWATA Hiroo, Eng. / Manager, Strategy Research Support Section of Center of Innovation
Program, Kyoto U. Title: " Cell Lego "Part2: Speaker: Dr. Peilin CHEN, Professor / Research Fellow, Research Center for Applied Sciences,
Academia Sinica, Taiwan. Title: " Isolation of Rare Cells: Toward Noninvasive Diagnostic "◦11.22.2019【Coverage】An article of interview with Mr. TAKAHASHI Tomohiro, Director of Kawasaki City
Waterfront International Strategy Department, about the past, present and future of King SkyFront where
iCONM is located was published in Nikkei Beyond Health.
◦11.25.2019【Activity】iCONM and Braizon Therapeutics, Inc. held a luncheon seminar at the 41st Annual
Meeting of The Japanese Society for Biomaterials.
◦11.25.2019【Award】Ms. NAKAMURA Noriko (2nd year doctoral course, Graduate School of Engineering,
The University of Tokyo) received the Outstanding Poster Award 2019 at the 41st Annual Meeting of The
Japanese Society for Biomaterials (11 / 24-26 @ Tsukuba).
Title: Interaction analysis between target membrane proteins and ligand molecules attached to thepolymeric micelle with different molecular weight of hydrophilic shell◦11.30.2019 【Activity】 A Principals Association of Kanagawa Prefectural Senior High School andparticipants of Ministry of Foreign Affairs Japan–German Young Professional Exchange Program visited
King SkyFront.
◦12.1-6.2019【Information】The iCONM introduction video was broadcasted by digital signage at MRS
Autumn meeting in Boston.
◦12.6.2019【Activity】COINS Seminar #50 was held at iCONM.
Speaker: Dr. Kris MATYJASZEWSKI／J.C. Warner University Professor of Natural Sciences, Carnegie
Mellon University Title: “Bio-related ATRP”.

◦8.31.2019【Activity】The members of Kawasaki City Elementary School Japan Social Study Research
Association, Foundation for Biomedical Research and Innovation at Kobe, Ministry of Finance, Japan
Budget Bureau and the students of Seiritsu Gakuen High School visited iCONM.

◦12.9.2019【Coverage】An interview article ’People and topics’ Have a transparent relationship with theinstitution that further expand” of Mr. MIURA Atsushi, Director of the Kawasaki Institute of Industrial
Promotion was published in the Chemical Daily.

◦9.5.2019【Activity】COINS Seminar #48 was held at iCONM.
Speaker: Dr. TANIGUCHI Hiroaki, Project Associate Professor, Keio Cancer Center & Clinical and◦12.13.2019【Activity】The 6th COINS Symposium was held. Theme: King SkyFront Bridges the World.

14 | NanoSky VOL.8 DECEMBER 2020

Activity Report◦12.17.2019【Activity】COINS Seminar #51 was held.
◆Part 1: Speaker: Dr. Michael BAUER／Director, Jena University Hospital, Dep. Anesthesiology &Intensive Care Medicine Title: Nano on ICU: Overcoming limitations for the treatment of organ failure◆Part 2: Speaker: Dr. Adrian T. PRESS／Group leader, Jena University Hospital, Nanophysiology
Group Title: Raman spectroscopic imaging reveals changes in the micellar conformation dictating
pharmacokinetic properties◦12.17.2019【Coverage】An article of President & CEO of LabCentral Dr. Fruehauf, who gave a talk at the
6th COINS Symposium, was published in the Chemical Daily.
◦12.28.2019【Coverage】An interview for TV TOKYO "Admatic". The program will be on air on Saturday,
January 4, 2020.
◦1.1.2020【Coverage】TV Kanagawa “Love Kawasaki” broadcasted the scene that Mr. IWASAKI Hirokazu,
Vice-Director of iCONM and Dr. Saed Abbasi, Research Scientist from iCONM introducing iCONM to Mr.
Fukuda, the Mayer of Kawasaki.
◦1.10.2020【Coverage】Content of the 6th COINS Symposium was covered by Nikkei Beyond Healthfocusing on mRNA medicine. Title: Focus on the potential of mRNA medicine.
◦1.21.2020【Coverage】Lectures by Dr. NISHIYAMA, Professor. Tokyo Institute of Technology and Dr.
Muragaki, Professor. Tokyo Women's Medical University at the 6th COINS Symposium were covered by
Nikkei Beyond Health focusing on "medicine X device".
◦1.23.2020 【Coverage】 Dr. NOMOTO Takahiro, Assistance Professor and Dr. NISHIYAMA Nobuhiro,
Professor, Tokyo Institute of Technology (iCONM Principal Research Scientist) and their research groupsucceeded in nearly eliminating mouse tumors by adding poly(vinyl alcohol), the main component ofliquid glue, to a p-boronophenylalanine (BPA) and using it for Boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) in
collaborative research with iCONM, Kyoto University and STELLA PHARMA. The results were publishedin the US science journal "Science Advances" Many articles on this subject were published in the media
such as Asahi Shimbun Digital, Nihon Keizai Shimbun, Nikkei Beyond Health and Jiji Press.
◦1.28.2020【Activity】13th COINS General meeting was held.

◦2.3.2020【Coverage】An article of Dr. KIMURA Hiromichi, Project Leader of COINS, “King SkyFront
providing networking opportunities to create a new industry” was covered by Yakuji Nippo.
◦2.5.2020【Coverage】Contents of the presentations of Dr. KATAOKA Kazunori and Dr. MIYATA Kanji atthe 3rd Link-J/UCSD Life Science Symposium "Engineered Nanomedicine: Drug Delivery Systems andPlatforms" were covered by Answers News.
◦2.19.2020【Coverage】An interview article of Dr. ATSUMI Hiroshi, Head of business development and thesocial implementation of research at iCONM was covered by Yahoo Japan's special issue.
◦3.1.2020【Coverage】Dr. NISHIYAMA Nobuhiro, Senior Researcher, Prof. Institute of Innovative Research,
Tokyo Institute of Technology has been introduced in a medical industry magazine "Iyaku-Keizai".
◦3.4.2020【Coverage】NOF Corporation which announced that its open innovation base for the life sciencebusiness will be open in iCONM this spring, was introduced in The Chemical Daily as “NOF Corporation
to iCONM: Open innovation base focusing on advanced and regenerative medicine will be open in
Kawasaki”.
◦3.23.2020【Coverage】Dr. MURAYAMA Atsushi, Professor. Tokyo Institute of Technology, Life Science andEngineering was featured in "Nikkei Business" magazine.
◦3.26.2020【Activity】Mr. KOMINE, Executive Director of Yokohama Bank and the course students of
Leading Graduate School, Chiba University visited iCONM in February.
◦3.26.2020【Coverage】Research for overcoming intractable cancer using nanomachines in combination
with ultrasound for intractable cancer, effective in experiments was featured in Nikkei Sangyo Shimbun.
◦4.1.2020【Press conference】Kawasaki City and the Kawasaki Institute of Industrial Promotion launched apress release regarding the start of cluster operation of Tonomachi King SkyFront.
◦4.1.2020 【Coverage】 The research of Dr. TOCKARY Theofilus A., iCONM research scientist was
introduced in RikeLab. The research title was “The world's first established technology to convert doublehelical DNA into a single strand, compactly round it, and encapsulate in a smart nanomachine”.
◦4.2.2020【Coverage】Dr. Kazuko TOH (Research scientist)'s collaborative research group of iCONM
including Dr. UEKI Ryosuke, Assistant Professor, Dr. UCHIDA Satoshi, Project Associate Professor,
Dr. CABRAL Horacio, Associate Professor, Dr. SANDO Shinsuke, Professor, the Graduate School ofEngineering, The University of Tokyo have developed a cell growth factor replacement compound thatshows high biological activity in living organisms. The results were published in the US science journal"Science Advances".
◦4.8.2020 【Coverage】 An interview article of Dr. ITAKA Keiji, Professor, Tokyo Medical and Dental
University was published. The title of the article was “ mRNA drug: Promising for novel corona virus / Ask
Dr. ITAKA Keiji, The Chemical Daily”.
◦4.22.2020【Activity】An inner-communication event was held using a web conference system.

◦4.28.2020【Coverage 】An article about smart Nanomachines and “In-Body Hospitals was introduced in
Deutsche Well, a state news agency in Germany. A title of the article was “COVID-19: Nanomachines tobe deployed to fight next viral pandemic”.
◦5.1.2020【Award】Dr. TAKEMOTO Hiroyasu, Assistant Professor, Tokyo Institute of Technology, a visiting
scientist, COINS Theme 5, received the 2019 Award for Encouragement of Research in Polymer Science,
the Society of Polymer Science, Japan.
◦5.7.2020【Coverage】A comment by Dr. MORIMOTO Takuya, iCONM Theme Leader, Kao Institute oftechnology was posted in Asahi Shimbun. A title was “Discover new type coronavirus antibody Expected
to apply to diagnostic agents and test agents”.
◦5.12.2020【Award】Dr. KATAOKA Kazunori, Director General, iCONM including Dr. MIYAZAKI Takuya
from Kanagawa Institute of Industrial Science and Technology (KISTEC), Dr. CABRAL Horacio Associate
Professor, Dr. NAGAMATSU Takeshi, Associate Professor, Dr. SUUKI Kensuke from The University ofTokyo, have developed nanomedicine for chemotherapy during pregnancy. With this nanomedicine, we
can treat intractable diseases like preeclampsia and preterm birth without drug distribution in fetus. Thispress release received the Publicity Award from the Public Relations Committee of the Polymer Societyof Japan.
◦5.20.2020【Press conference】Dr. KATAOKA Kazunori, Director General, iCONM, Dr. TSUMOTO Kouhei,
Professor, University of Tokyo, Dr. ANRAKU Yasutaka, Visiting Scientist, iCONM / Project Associate
Professor, The University of Tokyo, Dr. YOKOTA Takanori, Professor, Tokyo Medical and Dental University
and their research group designed and synthesized smart nanomachine® that efficiently deliver antibody
drugs into the brain and succeeded in demonstrating the suppression of amyloid β aggregation in brain
parenchyma at low doses in Alzheimer-type dementia model mice, and a joint press conference was held.
This research result was published in "ACS Nano"
Paper title: Dual-Sensitive Nanomicelles Enhancing Systemic Delivery of Therapeutically Active
Antibodies Specifically into the Brain.
◦5.22.2020【Activity】COINS Seminar #52 was held online. Speaker: Dr. NISHIYAMA Nobuhiro, Professor,

for Chemistry and Life Science, Institute of Innovative Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology Title:
Development of Medical Nanomachines Based on Fine Design of Functional Polymers.
◦5.29.2020【Coverage】The contents of the COINS seminar # 52 held online on 5/22 was published in"Iyaku-tsushin".
◦6.4.2020【Coverage】iCONM started collaborative research with the Tokyo Metropolitan Institute ofMedical Science on April 1st 2020. It aims to create technology for the rapid development of mRNA
vaccine integrated with an adjuvant function to be prepared for the recurrence of the new coronavirus(COVID-19), and /or further mutated species of “coronavirus”. Articles regarding this research was
published in numerous media such as Nikkei Biotech, Jiji Press, and Yakuji Nippo, and were broadcast
on TV Kanagawa.
◦6.11.2020【Activity】14th COINS General meeting was held online.

◦6.17.2020【Coverage】An article about the press release announced jointly with Graduate School ofEngineering, The University of Tokyo on 4/2 was published in the Yakuji Nippo.
◦6.18.2020【Coverage】ICONM and AccuRna Inc. were introduced in the special feature of Nikkei Beyond
Health. A title was Closely watch mRNA drugs for the development of a novel coronavirus vaccine.
◦6.26.2020【Coverage】The research group of Dr. MATSUMOTO Akira, Associate Professor and Dr.
MIYAHARA Yuji, Professor, Institute of Biomaterials, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (COINS Theme
4) developed a closed-loop artificial pancreas device, which was combined with glucose-responsive gel
and hollow fiber for hemodialysis. Their research was introduced as “Fully synthetic artificial pancreas
device, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Nagoya University, etc. developed” in The Science News.
◦6.26.2020【Coverage】For the first time in the world, iCONM has succeeded in controlling the clearanceof gene therapy drugs at the liver sinusoidal wall by developing a reagent for the selective and transient
coating of the liver sinusoidal walls. This was collaborative research with the National Institute forQuantum Science and Technology and Department of Bioengineering, Graduate School of Engineering,
The University of Tokyo. A press conference was held. This research result was published in "Science
Advances" Articles on this research have been published in numerous media such as Jiji Press, Oncology
Tribune, and Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun.
◦7.10.2020【Coverage】ICONM was introduced in "Case Study of Unique Lab Design(3/4)" by MEXT.
iCONM is Chapter 2, Case No.15.
◦7.17.2020 【Coverage】 Dr. UCHIDA Satoshi, iCONM Visiting Scientist (Project Assistant Professor,
Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo) was interviewed by German media Ruptly andthe interview was delivered online.t".
◦7.19-20, 2020【Coverage】An interview article of Dr. KATAOKA Kazunori, Director General, iCONM on“Smart Nanomachines and mRNA” was carried in Tokyo Shimbun and Chunichi Shimbun.
◦7.20.2020【Coverage】Dr. UCHIDA Satoshi, iCONM Visiting Scientist was introduced in TV Tokyo "Stairsof Quest".
◦7.27.2020【Coverage】iCONM collaborating with the Department of Bioengineering, Graduate School ofEngineering, The University of Tokyo, developed the world's first drug delivery system that suppresses
accumulation in peripheral tissues and delivers drugs only to brain tissues. This have been published inmany media such as PHARM TECH JAPAN ONLINE.
◦7.27.2020【Information】A paper published in PNAS on July 23, which was first authored by Dr. CARTER
Daniel Gonzalez of iCONM Kataoka-Kino Lab, was selected as “Editor's Choice” by an US medical media“BioWorld Science”.
◦7.27.2020【Coverage】An article of AccuRna Inc. one of the participating organizations of the main
project COINS, was published in the Nikkei Shimbun.
◦8.4.2020【Coverage】iCONM demonstrated a new therapeutic option for glioblastoma (GBM), which is a
type of brain tumors, in mice in a collaboration study with the Department of Bioengineering, Graduate
School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo and held a press conference. This research result was
published in ACS Nano and the related article was carried in many medias such as Nihon Keizai Shimbun,
Nikkei BioTech and Iyaku Keizai.
◦8.12.2020【Coverage】An article of a press release jointly announced by The University of Tokyo andTokyo Medical and Dental University was carried in Koureisha Jutaku Shimbun.
◦8.14.2020【Coverage】An article about Dr. MATSUMURA Yasuhiro, Chief, Division of Developmental
Therapeutics, EPOC, National Cancer Center, who is a member of COINS, was published in Katei Gaho.
◦8.14.2020【Coverage】For an information on coronavirus, an interview article of Dr. KATAOKA Kazunori,iCONM Director General published in the Chunichi Shimbun on July 20 was published in "MYTTLINE", atown magazine in Tajimi City, Gifu Prefecture.
◦8.18.2020【Activity】Dr. DIRISALA Anjaneyulu, who is a research scientist of iCONM gave a lecture to
the undergraduate and graduate students, majoring biochemistry, biotechnology, and pharmaceuticalsciences at KL University in India.
◦8.19.2020【Award】Dr. MIYATA Kanjiro, leader of COINS Theme 1 (Associate Professor, Graduate Schoolof Engineering, The University of Tokyo) and Dr. NISHIYAMA Nobuhiro (Professor, Institute of Chemistry
and Life Sciences, Tokyo Institute of Technology) won the "2020 2nd Materials and Devices Joint ResearchAward" from the Network Joint Research Center (NJRC) for Materials and Devices with researchers of
Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo and the researchers of Nishiyama Lab.
◦8.20.2020【Information】iCONM Linkedlin page was launched for English speakers and released theintroduction and movie of iCONM.
◦8.21.2020【Coverage】The article of the press briefing jointly announced with The University of Tokyo on
8/4 was published in Nikkei beyond Health and The Science News. “The effect of cancer immunotherapy
provides a dramatic improvement with Nanomachines | Nikkei Beyond Health 8/19/2020”. “Effective in
combination with immune checkpoint inhibitor and nano-DDS | The Science News (8/21/2020)”.
◦9.1.2020【Award】Dr. MATSUMOTO Akira, Associate Professor, Tokyo Medical and Dental University,
won the Asahi Kasei Award 2020 on July 14.
◦9.2.2020【Coverage】Cancer Institute Hospital for the Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research (JFCR)
has started an investigator initiated clinical trial (First In Human study) on September 2, 2020 with antibreast cancer therapy (SRN-14/GL2-800) containing siRNA. An article relating this was carried in many
medias such as Nikkei Medical and Iyaku Tsushinsha.
◦9.2.2020 【Coverage】 Regarding the review “An overview of nanomedicines for neuron targeting”
published by Dr. QUADER Sabina , Senior Research Scientists of Nanomedicine, Vol. 15 (6) on July 3rd,was published as an interview article in the scientific media Neuro-Central with co-responsible author Dr.
RODRIGES Rosalia, Associate Professor, Faculty of Science, University of Catalonia, Spain.
◦9.3.2020【Activity】Kawasaki City Council Members visited iCONM.

◦9.8.2020【Coverage】A report on the technology that efficiently delivers antibody drugs into the brain by"Braizon Therapeutics, Inc. was appeared in Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun.

NanoSky VOL.8

DECEMBER

2020

| 15

Activity Report◦9.10.2020【Activity】India-Japan Webinar on Nanotechnology was held.

◦9.15.2020【Coverage】A paper by Dr. MIYAZAKI Takuya, a visiting scientist of iCONM (Kataoka/ Kinoh Lab) et al. was published in the issue on August 19 of Advanced Healthcare Materials
and his design was utilized for the cover page.

◦9.15.2020【Coverage】The newsletter "KAWASAKI Coastal Area News" Vol.25 has
been published by Kawasaki City. As a cover story, there was a roundtable talk on theimportance of industry-academia-government collaboration and its synergies by Dr.
KATAOKA Kazunori, Director General, iCONM, Mr. OKABE Nobuhiko, Director General,
Kawasaki City Institute for Public Health and FUKUDA Norihiko , Mayor of Kawasaki
city.

Turn adversity into chance! Establish a new online communication way
Under the coronavirus pandemic in 2020, many changes were required in
the operation of COINS . In a situation where people could not gather, wequickly established an operating system for smooth online meetings and held
many events. Starting with the "Online tea party" that was held to rebuild theconnection that had been fading due to continuous remote work, the "Online
General meeting" in which all participating organizations participated toreport on progress and exchange opinions, “Online workshop” that aiming
human resource development and communication, we were able to promote
cooperation and cross-cultural exchange within and between institutions. In
addition, we actively developed outreach activities, such as holding COINS
seminars in which Dr. NISHIYAMA Nobuhiro was a lecturer, and a press

Online workshop that arious members participated (September 2020)

brieﬁng session in which researchers took the stage.
In the age of New Normal, we will try to utilize the know-how cultivated throughthese activities to work on the COINS management in addition to face-to-facecommunication.

Stretching exercise in front of the PC during a break! @General meeting(June 2020)

Press release for thesis presentation (June 2020)

Editor’s NoteThe NanoSky Vol.1 – Vol.7 have introduced six themes of COINS project. This issue introduces a new approach to develop
COINS' "Mono and services that change the future",“Development of the new coronavirus infectious disease preventive
vaccine”,“Future medicine from COINS”, and“Roundtable talk with foreign scientists ”. The COI program will end in end of
March 2022, however, iCONM is working to establish an ecosystem that gathers resources from all over the world and to
become independent while adhering to COINS' vision and mission toward the realization of“In-Body Hospitals”in 2045. We
hope that this issue will convey the passion of COINS members and let more people know about iCONM. The COINS will
reborn and we will continue to push forward as it goes. We sincerely hope that everyone will overcome this new coronavirus
pandemic.
A next NanoSky will be the last issue. Please don’t miss it.
(Editor-in-chief YOKOYAMA Miyako)

Edited by NanoSky Editorial committee（SHIMAZAKI Makoto, YOKOYAMA Miyako）
Writer： KOJIMA Ayumi
Camera : TANAKA Aki
Design : Studio L Co., Ltd., Studio R Co., Ltd.
Copyright : KAWASAKI INSTITUTE OF INDUSTRIAL PROMOTION

Vol.

Published by Center of Open Innovation Network for Smart Health (COINS),
Innovation Center of NanoMedicine (iCONM),
KAWASAKI INSTITUTE OF INDUSTRIAL PROMOTION,
3-25-14, Tonomachi, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Pref. JAPANTEL: +81 44 589 5785 / FAX: +81 44 589 5789
http://coins.kawasaki-net.ne.jp/