東北大学は、1907年に創立された国立大学で、「研究第一」、「門戸開放」、「実学尊重」の三大精神を掲げ、革新的な研究成果の創出と優れた人材育成に力を注いでいます。2024年11月には「国際卓越研究大学」に認定され、国際的な視点と高度な専門性を備えた研究者の育成を推進し、学際的アプローチを通じて社会課題の解決に努めています。そこで、更なる戦略的取り組みとして、創薬分野に係る先端的な研究環境及び革新的な技術を活用し､企業等との共同研究を戦略的に促進する連携ネットワークの拠点としての役割を担う、「創薬戦略推進機構」を2023年12月に設置し、研究成果の社会実装の推進に資することを目的に活動しています。− Constructing an advanced clinical trial acceleration model to improve local patients' access to health care and strengthen domestic drug discovery capabilities
− Accelerate the construction of a medical network and medical data infrastructure starting from Tohoku University Hospital, promote research and development of new drugs and treatment methods through integrated analysis, and contribute to the world from Tohoku
We are pleased to announce that Takeda Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Osaka-shi, Osaka; President and CEO: Christophe Weber; hereinafter “Takeda Pharmaceuticals”) and Tohoku University Drug Discovery Strategy Promotion Organization (Location: Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture; Director: Hidero Harige; hereinafter “Tohoku University”) have recently begun a strategic partnership (hereafter, “Project Aoten”) aimed at building and utilizing an innovative clinical trial network.
Project Soten aims to simultaneously improve the efficiency of clinical development and improve patient access to health care over a period of 3 years from 2024/10 to 2027/9. Tohoku University Hospital constructs and integrates medical data infrastructure and develops digital tools for various analyses, etc., and utilizes regional medical networks and medical-related data stored there in clinical development. This is expected to speed up the identification and registration of patients suitable for participation in clinical trials led by Takeda Pharmaceuticals and the provision of opportunities for patients suitable to participate in clinical trials led by Takeda Pharmaceuticals. Furthermore, we believe that by optimizing clinical trials and clinical development plans, clinical development efficiency will be greatly improved, and expectations for clinical development in Japan from Europe and the United States will increase. Furthermore, it is expected that ideas for new pharmaceuticals and solutions will be created from both sides, and a virtuous cycle progressing to practical application will be created.
Scenes from the start of Project Soten
(From left: Yasushi Kajii, Takeda Pharmaceutical R&D Japan Region Head, and Hideo Harigae, Director of the Tohoku University Drug Discovery Strategy Promotion Organization)
Hideo Harigae, Director of the Tohoku University Drug Discovery Strategy Promotion Organization and Hospital Director, said, “Further expanding and utilizing the medical information and human networks we have accumulated in the Tohoku region in Project Soten is an important step that not only improves the quality of regional health care, but also contributes directly and indirectly to the acceleration of innovative treatment development in Japan and the world. We are looking forward to a strategic partnership with Takeda Pharmaceutical, which was founded in Japan and focuses on the practical application of innovations born from diversity.”
Takeda Pharmaceutical and Tohoku University have been promoting basic research on pharmaceuticals through joint research with Tohoku University Tohoku Medical Megabank Organization (ToMMO) to analyze the entire genome information of local residents, that is, the correlation between genetic background and changes in long-term health conditions. Project Soten is a development of such initiatives, and the accumulated knowledge and know-how will be utilized in drug development in Japan and around the world, aiming to eliminate drug lag and drug loss, and contribute to improving patients' access to medical care.
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＜Main features of Project Soten＞
- Integrated database: We aim to be able to quickly identify patients suitable to participate in clinical trials at Tohoku University Hospital and partner hospitals, which are base hospitals, by utilizing medical-related data obtained with the patient's consent through an information sharing system (Miyagi Medical Welfare Information Network: MMWIN) to which medical and welfare facilities in Miyagi prefecture are members.
- Digital tools: By developing and implementing next-generation tools that utilize AI technology, we will quickly and efficiently proceed with the identification and selection of patients, as well as the creation of data necessary for clinical development and application.
- Strategic collaboration: A strategic partnership between Takeda Pharmaceutical and Tohoku University will promote the identification and implementation of clinical trials and data integration required by the region. In addition, we will establish a collaborative system within university hospitals, partner institutions, and companies necessary for carrying out clinical trials.
＜About Takeda Pharmaceuticals＞
Takeda Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (TSE:4502/NYSE:TAK) aims to contribute to the health and bright future of people around the world. We are working to create innovative pharmaceuticals in major disease areas and business fields such as digestive system/inflammatory diseases, rare diseases, plasma-fractionated preparations, neuroscience (neuropsychiatric diseases), oncology (cancer), and vaccines. Together with our partners, we are working to deliver new treatment options and contribute to improving patients' quality of life by building a strong and diverse pipeline. Takeda Pharmaceutical, headquartered in Japan, is a leading research and development biopharmaceutical company based on the value (value) of putting patients at the center based on its own corporate philosophy. Based on values that have been shaped for over 2 centuries, we are active in approximately 80 countries and regions to fulfill our raison d'être (purpose) in society. For more information, see.
＜About Tohoku University＞
Tohoku University is a national university founded in 1907, and it has the three major principles of “research first,” “open doors,” and “respect for practical science,” and is focusing on creating innovative research results and developing excellent human resources. It was certified as an “International Research University of Excellence” in 2024/11, and is promoting the development of researchers with an international perspective and advanced expertise, and striving to solve social issues through an interdisciplinary approach. Therefore, as a further strategic initiative, we established the “Drug Discovery Strategy Promotion Organization” in 2023/12, which utilizes an advanced research environment and innovative technology related to the drug discovery field and plays a role as a base for a collaborative network that strategically promotes joint research with companies, etc., and is working with the aim of contributing to the promotion of social implementation of research results.
Furthermore, Tohoku University Hospital, which is the center of research in the medical field, has the mission of safely providing highly advanced medical care, developing advanced medical care, and developing human resources responsible for these as the cornerstone of medical care in the Tohoku region. The hospital is the first in Japan to be certified as a “clinical research core hospital,” and it is promoting world-class clinical research, drug discovery, and medical device development while cooperating with various companies by utilizing its strengths as a comprehensive university.
Media contacts:
Takeda Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
Yoneyama Yuko
TEL: 070-2610-6609
E-mail: [email protected]
Tohoku University Drug Discovery Strategy Promotion Organization
Platform Promotion Support Office
E-mail: [email protected]
Tohoku University Hospital
PR Office
TEL: 022-717-8032
E-mail: [email protected]
