As part of their long term co-operation the Foundation for Biomedical Research and Innovation at Kobe (FBRI), the Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME at Hamburg (Fraunhofer IME) and a Japanese pharmaceutical company have concluded a Join Research Agreement on Drug Discovery for Dementia.
The treatment of dementia is especially in Japan and Germany with its aging populations a challenge for the societies. Both research organizations are working on regenerative medicine with various technologies. This Research Agreement is based on the work of the Taguchi lab at FBRI, having established a vascularization / activation method.
The ScreeningPort lab at IME is utilizing this technology and conducts High-Throughput-Screening and small molecule drug discovery for dementia. The contract period will be 3 years from July 2020. Details of this trilateral contract will not be disclosed.
Dr. Akihiko Taguchi, professor at the Institute of Biomedical Research and Innovation, Department of Regenerative Medicine Research, is the principal researcher and corresponding author of recent dementia research papers and comments “our joint publications in 2019 and 2020, exchange of visiting scientists and the stem cell seminar held in 2019 at Kobe have been important to reach this Research Agreement”.
Prof. Dr. Carsten Claussen, Head of the Hamburg site of Fraunhofer IME says “this agreement reflects our long-term commitment to an important international cooperation which is key to translating basic research into the clinic. We have already made progress during a visiting scientist exchange where some of the output has resulted in three research publications”.
The mutual collaboration was started in 2016 under the promotion of the Biomedical Cluster under Regional Industry Tie-Up project supported by Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) together with the Cluster Management organization Life Science Nord (LSN).
Within the BMBF Funding Programme to establish joint research centres with partners in the Asia-Pacific Research Area (APRA), this initiative has been funded as “German-Japanese Center for Collaborative Research in Neuroscience (C-CNS)”. Both Cluster management organizations will continue to explore further co-operation between the North German region and City of Kobe.
About the Foundation for Biomedical Research and Innovation at Kobe FBRI
The Foundation for Biomedical Research and Innovation at Kobe FBRI (President Tasuku Honjo, M.D.PhD) is charged with general coordinating functions to promote and facilitate collaboration and integration among industrial, governmental, academic, and medical sectors; to support R&D leading to advances in healthcare and their clinical application; and to work toward the construction of next-generation healthcare systems. Through these activities, the FBRI expects to contribute to the creation of innovative healthcare technologies and the formation and accumulation of healthcare-related industries in Kobe. The FBRI’s ultimate goals are to revitalize Kobe’s economy, enhance local residents’ wellbeing, and contribute to the international community.
About the Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME
The Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, with over 530 employees at its six sites in Schmallenberg, Aachen, Gießen, Münster, Frankfurt/Main and Hamburg conducts research in the field of applied life sciences from a molecular level to entire ecosystems, in the areas of pharmacy, medicine, chemistry, agriculture, as well as environmental and consumer protection. Our mission is the development and use of novel technologies for diagnosis and therapy of human and animal diseases as well as the protection of crop plants and food sources.
Fraunhofer IME ScreeningPort in Hamburg contributes with its expertise in assay development and drug discovery. For more information, see: www.ime.fraunhofer.de/en/Research_Divisions/business_fields_TM/screeningport.html
About Life Science Nord
The Life Science Nord Cluster of the Federal States of Hamburg and Schleswig-Holstein embraces over 500 biotech/pharma and medical technology companies and numerous research institutes. With a complete value chain – from basic and applied research, to clinical tests, to the market-ready end product the region offers a unique infrastructure. The cluster agency Life Science Nord Management GmbH brings together economy, research and politics in the north, activating expert knowledge from universities and research institutions while simultaneously maintaining a close relationship with companies in the region. It also offers advice and coordinates a variety of activities with the overall objective to further developing the Hamburg and Schleswig-Holstein region into an internationally leading Life Science Network.
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