Latest news with #OkayamaUniversity
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
From Seattle to Chiba: Okayama University Taps AGC Biologics' Global Pathway for New Therapeutic
SEATTLE & CHIBA, Japan, July 17, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--AGC Biologics, your friendly CDMO expert, today announced a new service agreement with Okayama University, a prominent national university in Japan. This project will leverage AGC Biologics' global network, with the mammalian cell line development capabilities in Seattle, USA, and cGMP mammalian manufacturing facility in Chiba, Japan, working together to advance a new therapeutic program for the university. Under the agreement, AGC Biologics will perform cell line development with its proprietary CHEF1™ expression platform in Seattle. CHEF1's track record includes the production of more than 55 different molecules and the development of five commercial products brought to market. The program will then be transferred to the company's facility in Chiba for process development for clinical trials in 2026. The collaboration between its Asian and U.S. sites highlights AGC Biologics' ability to offer research institutions a seamless, global pathway from early-stage development to clinical manufacturing. "This project is a perfect example of our winning global blend, combining the world-class cell line development excellence in Seattle with the most-advanced cGMP-compliant mammalian cell culture manufacturing capabilities available in Japan," said Susumu Zen-in, General Manager of AGC Biologics' Chiba facility. "By providing a high level of global standard expertise and an emphasis on flexibility, we're able to effectively serve prestigious academic institutions like Okayama University working to bring vital new medicines to patients." Okayama University selected AGC Biologics for its integrated global network and its unique position in Japan. The Chiba facility offers mammalian cell culture-based services to serve the needs of customers from Japan and the surrounding regions. This partnership underscores AGC Biologics' commitment to supporting academic and research institutions by providing the technical creativity and specialized services needed to solve complex challenges and advance important new therapies. To learn more about AGC Biologics' global network of services, visit About AGC Biologics AGC Biologics is a leading global biopharmaceutical Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) with a strong commitment to delivering the highest standard of service as we work side-by-side with our clients and partners, to provide friendly and expert services. We provide world-class development and manufacturing of mammalian and microbial-based therapeutic proteins, plasmid DNA (pDNA), messenger RNA (mRNA), viral vectors, and genetically engineered cells. Our global network spans the U.S., Europe, and Asia, with locations in Seattle, Washington; Boulder and Longmont, Colorado; Copenhagen, Denmark; Heidelberg, Germany; Milan, Italy; and Chiba and Yokohama, Japan. We currently employ more than 2,600 Team Members worldwide. AGC Biologics is a part of AGC Inc.'s Life Science Business. The Life Science Business runs 10+ facilities focused on biopharmaceuticals, advanced therapies, small molecule active pharmaceutical ingredients, and agrochemicals. To learn more, visit View source version on Contacts AGC Inc. Corporate contact: info-pr@ AGC Biologics press contact: ksills@ Error while retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data
Business Wire
6 days ago
- Business
- Business Wire
From Seattle to Chiba: Okayama University Taps AGC Biologics' Global Pathway for New Therapeutic
SEATTLE & CHIBA, Japan--(BUSINESS WIRE)--AGC Biologics, your friendly CDMO expert, today announced a new service agreement with Okayama University, a prominent national university in Japan. This project will leverage AGC Biologics' global network, with the mammalian cell line development capabilities in Seattle, USA, and cGMP mammalian manufacturing facility in Chiba, Japan, working together to advance a new therapeutic program for the university. Under the agreement, AGC Biologics will perform cell line development with its proprietary CHEF1™ expression platform in Seattle. CHEF1's track record includes the production of more than 55 different molecules and the development of five commercial products brought to market. The program will then be transferred to the company's facility in Chiba for process development for clinical trials in 2026. The collaboration between its Asian and U.S. sites highlights AGC Biologics' ability to offer research institutions a seamless, global pathway from early-stage development to clinical manufacturing. 'This project is a perfect example of our winning global blend, combining the world-class cell line development excellence in Seattle with the most-advanced cGMP-compliant mammalian cell culture manufacturing capabilities available in Japan,' said Susumu Zen-in, General Manager of AGC Biologics' Chiba facility. 'By providing a high level of global standard expertise and an emphasis on flexibility, we're able to effectively serve prestigious academic institutions like Okayama University working to bring vital new medicines to patients.' Okayama University selected AGC Biologics for its integrated global network and its unique position in Japan. The Chiba facility offers mammalian cell culture-based services to serve the needs of customers from Japan and the surrounding regions. This partnership underscores AGC Biologics' commitment to supporting academic and research institutions by providing the technical creativity and specialized services needed to solve complex challenges and advance important new therapies. To learn more about AGC Biologics' global network of services, visit About AGC Biologics AGC Biologics is a leading global biopharmaceutical Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) with a strong commitment to delivering the highest standard of service as we work side-by-side with our clients and partners, to provide friendly and expert services. We provide world-class development and manufacturing of mammalian and microbial-based therapeutic proteins, plasmid DNA (pDNA), messenger RNA (mRNA), viral vectors, and genetically engineered cells. Our global network spans the U.S., Europe, and Asia, with locations in Seattle, Washington; Boulder and Longmont, Colorado; Copenhagen, Denmark; Heidelberg, Germany; Milan, Italy; and Chiba and Yokohama, Japan. We currently employ more than 2,600 Team Members worldwide. AGC Biologics is a part of AGC Inc.'s Life Science Business. The Life Science Business runs 10+ facilities focused on biopharmaceuticals, advanced therapies, small molecule active pharmaceutical ingredients, and agrochemicals. To learn more, visit
Asahi Shimbun
01-07-2025
- Health
- Asahi Shimbun
Researchers find a cause of ALS, raising hopes for new treatments
A Japanese research team has discovered a cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a progressive, terminal disease that gradually weakens muscles throughout the body. The researchers found that when a gene that maintains protein quality stops functioning, motor neurons become damaged, leading to familial ALS—a form of the disease that runs in families. The discovery by the joint team, led by associate professor Toru Yamashita and professor Hiroyuki Ishiura from the Medical School at Okayama University, raises hopes for the development of new treatments. The results of their study were published on July 1 in the international scientific journal Acta Neuropathologica. ALS is a rare disease in which the motor neurons responsible for controlling muscle movement degenerate and decrease. As signals from the brain telling the body to move fail to reach the muscles, muscles begin to atrophy, eventually impairing even breathing. In Japan, it is estimated that there are more than 10,000 ALS patients. About 10 percent of these patients also have a family history of the disease, classified as familial ALS. The research team analyzed the genes of three patients with familial ALS. All three were found to have mutations in a gene known as DNAJC7. The functions of this gene are to repair damaged proteins and to prevent abnormal proteins from accumulating. Previous studies have confirmed that many ALS cases involve abnormal accumulation of a protein called TDP-43 in the cytoplasm of neurons in the cerebral cortex. The patients in this study were also found to have TDP-43 accumulations. Further experiments using cultured cells confirmed that when DNAJC7 does not function properly, abnormal aggregation of TDP-43 increases—while enhancing the function of DNAJC7 reduced the accumulation of TDP-43. 'We have now discovered that when the DNAJC7 gene does not function correctly, the abnormal aggregation of TDP-43 increases, leading to familial ALS,' Yamashita said. 'Because boosting the functions of DNAJC7 reduced the aggregation, our findings could lead to future treatments.'
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Scientists make remarkable discovery after studying common crop soil: 'Opens up new possibilities'
Silicon (Si) is one of Earth's most abundant elements and has been described as only quasi-essential for most land plants, but studies have shown that rice, wheat, and other grasses rely on it to defend against environmental stressors. A Japanese research team led by Dr. Naoki Yamaji of the Institute of Plant Science and Resources at Okayama University has uncovered a key signaling protein called Shoot-Silicon-Signal (SSS) that works to regulate the intake and distribution of this valuable element, the university wrote in a post on "Optimization of Si makes more stress-tolerant crops. It contributes to the productivity and sustainability of agriculture," said Yamaji, per the report. These plants stock up on silicon to bolster their immune system, and its presence fosters healthy growth. Biotic factors like fungal infections and climate-related stressors such as drought, salinity, and extreme heat or cold can be problematic for their growth, and plants rely on Si to improve their defenses. A 51-82% reduction in crop productivity across the globe in recent years can be attributed to these climate-driven stress factors, and these insights into silicon's role may help fight food insecurity. As the summary explained, SSS is a homolog of florigen, which is a hormone responsible for flowering in plants. While that handles plant development, SSS is hard at work regulating silicon. If the element is abundant in the soil, its levels in the plant drop and the plant adjusts accordingly. Using the Shoot-Silicon-Signal as a marker, scientists can monitor a plant's requirements and optimize Si fertilization to produce more resilient crops that are better suited to handle environmental stresses. "This discovery opens up new possibilities for improving Si management in crops, particularly in regions where Si availability in soil is lowered by cultivation," Yamaji further detailed. "By better understanding how plants regulate Si, we can design more efficient fertilization strategies and enhance crop resilience globally." Similar research has revealed the inner workings of how seedlings regulate growth as they search for sunlight, which could help crops like corn and soybeans grow more efficiently. Which of these factors would be your main motivation for installing solar panels? Energy independence Lower power bills Helping the planet No chance I ever go solar Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Other studies have pinpointed a hormone that could trigger deeper root growth for crops in arid regions that have difficulty thriving. Rice, wheat, and other similar crops could benefit greatly from this insight into silicon's role in their survival, as those staples serve as the foundation of many diets across the globe. In India, these crops provide around 50% of the population's daily energy requirements. "Si is not just an element that plants accumulate, it's an adaptive tool that helps them thrive and survive. By harnessing the power of Si, we can help ensure a more sustainable and productive agricultural future," Yamaji said. Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the latest innovations improving our lives and shaping our future, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Japan Times
06-02-2025
- Science
- Japan Times
Japanese rice fish detect UV rays with pituitary gland
Japanese rice fish detect ultraviolet rays from sunlight directly with the pituitary gland and turn their bodies black for protection, a team has found. The findings by the team, including University of Tokyo associate professor Shinji Kanda and Okayama University assistant professor Keita Sato, were published in the U.S. journal Science recently. Recent research had found that vertebrates including fish have receptor proteins that can detect light in cells other than those in their eyes, but their purpose was unknown. The team suspects that animals with almost translucent bodies may have yet more systems to detect light directly. The surface of Japanese rice fish's body has pigment cells that receive a hormone from cells in the pituitary gland and synthesize melanin. Cells in the gland contain the so-called Opn5m receptor protein. The team succeeded in observing the release of melanocyte-secreting hormone from Opn5m by shining light with the same wavelength as ultraviolet A on Japanese rice fish.
