Move strengthens Konica Minolta’s advance into personalised medicine in Japan with next-generation screening capabilities
Konica Minolta, Inc. (Konica Minolta) today announces agreement with the University of Tokyo (UTokyo) and the National Cancer Center Japan (NCC) to research and develop the next generation Todai OncoPanel (TOP), a world-leading oncogenic panel test. This research collaboration enables Konica Minolta, which has primarily been expanding its gene diagnosis business in the United States, to fully enter into the field to advance the cancer genome medical system in Japan.
The research collaboration combines the knowledge of Ambry Genetics Corporation (AG), a Konica Minolta company, and its global gene diagnostic technology, with the TOP technology, to reinforce the informatics foundation technology of the TOP and develop a breakthrough, next-generation, comprehensive gene panel test with advanced functionality. The TOP has a large number of targets of oncogenic somatic gene mutations in the DNA panel and fusion gene detection analysis in the RNA panel. AG is the world leader in germ cell mutation detection technology and was among the first to commercialise RNA testing to assess germline mutations.
Professor Hiroyuki Aburatani, from the UTokyo Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology, will serve as the head of research and development, along with Professor, Hiroyuki Mano, current Head of Cell Informatics, NCC, who will participate in this research to further develop the RNA analysis function. The Todai OncoPanel was primarily developed by Professor Aburatani and Professor Mano.
Konica Minolta will advance quality control of medical examinations and development of highly accurate pairing examination methods[1]. In addition, Konica Minolta aims to provide a complete domestic gene analysis service by setting up a commercial laboratory in Japan in order to carry out the panel test developed through this joint research and development. This laboratory will enable the panel developed through this research to be implemented in Japan; provide clinicians in Japan a complete gene analysis service; and will expand the cancer genome information repository[2] from the Center for Cancer Genomics and Advanced Therapeutics (C-CAT) in Japan.
Through this exciting new collaboration, Konica Minolta, UTokyo and NCC will contribute to the elucidation of heritable mutations unique to the Japanese population; the development of innovative cancer treatment and diagnostic methods; the creation of new drugs; the improvement of quality of life (QOL) for patients; and will contribute to the need to limit increases in medical expenses.
We are delighted to join forces with the University of Tokyo and the National Cancer Center Japan to research and develop the next generation Todai OncoPanel. Leveraging the capabilities of Ambry Genetics, a top American genetic testing and analysis firm, and Invicro, a leading provider of drug discovery support services using AI technology, we believe Konica Minolta can help play an important role in the advancement of research and development of the cancer genomic medical system in Japan.
Kiyotaka Fujii, Senior Vice President and Executive Officer and President of Global Healthcare, Konica Minolta
www.konicaminolta.eu
