Entrepreneurial Support Program(EntryCourse)
GTIE GAP Fund 2024 Entry Course 2nd
Entry course is the GAP fund of the first step to start a business in the near future for researchers and students of GTIE universities. Here is the list of successful teams which receive Entry Course funding in 2024.
Click here for details of the open call
Development and Application of Novel Artificial Nucleic Acids Therapy
This research aims to develop innovative artificial nucleic acids capable of simultaneously regulating multiple mRNA expressions as a new therapeutic approach for chronic inflammatory diseases. Conventional therapies have faced challenges such as non-responders and secondary failure cases during long-term treatment because they strongly inhibit only single factors. In contrast, this technology enables moderate and simultaneous control of multiple disease-related genes using newly designed artificial nucleic acids.The technology is expected to serve as a new therapeutic option for patients who do not respond to existing treatments.
The service for fabrication of digital dentures -Science Tokyo Lab-
This research project, led by Prof. Manabu Kanazawa of Institute of Science Tokyo, aims to develop an innovative digital denture fabrication service using the custom disc method. This method uses CAD software and a 3D printer to fabricate a disc customized for each patient, which is then milled by a milling machine to fabricate a high-precision denture. Compared to conventional denture fabrication methods, it is expected to reduce fabrication time and improve fit accuracy. In particular, it is characterized by its high adhesive strength between the denture base and the artificial teeth, and its excellent work efficiency and cost performance. This technology is also expected to contribute to the efficiency of the dental laboratory industry. The project aims to complete technical verification and customer hearings by September 2025, with the final goal of establishing a start-up company.
Development of software device that supports infant cry and sleep problem using wearable sensors
Mammalian infants stop crying and are induced to sleep by holding and rocking (the Transport Response). This project aims to implement SciBaby, a wearable sensor-based program that supports infant sleep using the transport response and automatically record infant states. In the BtoC version, SciBaby Home, we will develop entertainment features such as music playback, a score-ranking system, and easy integration with social media, to create this cutting-edge device fun too. The BtoC version of SciBaby Biz will operate childcare appliance based on sensor outputs to be used by parents, nursery staff and paediatricians.
Development of a Novel Neutron Capture Therapy Agent for Practical Applications in Refractory Cancer Treatment
Boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) is a cutting-edge, minimally invasive cancer-selective treatment that was first approved in the world in March 2020 in Japan for the treatment of "unresectable locally advanced or locally recurrent head and neck cancers." Currently, only a single boron agent, BPA, has been approved. However, the development of novel boron agents is urgently needed to address BPA-insensitive cancers. In this study, we aim to develop a new neutron capture therapy agent, PBC-IP, to expand BNCT indications for BPA-insensitive cancers. This will enable its application to malignant brain tumors, a refractory disease for which no effective treatments are currently available.
Development of a brain tumor treatment device using alternating magnetic fields
We have discovered that alternating magnetic fields (AMF) at a specific frequency (２３0 kHz) possess anti-tumor effects on various types of cancer cells, including malignant gliomas, pancreatic cancer, and breast cancer. Furthermore, we identified that the AMF acts on the mitochondria of cancerous cells, promoting the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and inhibiting proliferation signals, thereby exhibiting anti-tumor effects. No adverse effects were observed in normal cells. We are applying this technology in the treatment of malignant gliomas with poor prognosis, advancing the practical application of a revolutionary brain tumor treatment device through industry-academic and medical-engineering collaborations. A prototype of a human-use AMF treatment device has been completed. Additionally, an AMF treatment device for animals is also complete, and at the animal hospital, treatment is progressing for pets diagnosed with cancer, with some showing favorable outcomes. With the support of this project, we aim to achieve an early startup.
Development of a web system to optimize the treatment of depression
Depressive disorder is considered to be a disease that places a significant social and economic burden on society. Optimizing the treatment of depressive disorder is an important issue. Our objective is to develop a web-based system designed to support the treatment of depressive disorders. This system comprises two components: a model that predicts the efficacy of various treatments (e.g., psychopharmacotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, etc.) and a chatbot specialized in mood disorders. The utilization of this web system is anticipated to result in the more optimized treatment of depression through the following mechanisms: 1. empowering patients to actively engage in determining their treatment plan, 2. fostering positive doctor-patient relationships, 3. enhancing patient understanding of their disease, and 4. promoting shared decision-making (SDM).
Non-destructive Terahertz Sensing of Steel Corrosion under Coating
Terahertz waves have the characteristics of both the transparency of radio waves and the linearity of light waves, along with the feature that their photon energy is very weak, approximately at room temperature. Because of its weak energy, it is expected to be able to detect very slight corrosion and contamination on metal surfaces.
Japan has approximately 730,000 bridges, and the number of bridges that are over 50 years old will rapidly increase to about 80% in 20 years, indicating significant aging. Although it is important to prevent corrosion of steel materials in order to extend the service life of bridges, visual inspection is currently the mainstream method, and a non-destructive inspection method that can detect the deterioration of steel materials from under the coating is desired. Furthermore, as an appropriate non-destructive inspection technology to overcome for budget and engineer shortages, we will establish and verify the feasibility of terahertz wave sensing technology for detecting corrosion of steel materials under coatings.
Development of a real-time histamine sensor using molecularly imprinted polymers
In order to ensure the freshness and safety of marine products, major food retailers on the west coast of the United States are requiring processors to measure the concentration of the toxic substance histamine. This trend is expected to spread to other developed countries. However, conventional analytical methods such as immunoassays require long and complicated operations, making it difficult to carry out alongside the processing of marine products. The representative has invented a molecularly imprinted carbon paste electrode that generates a current dependent on the concentration of the target substance by memorizing the molecular structure of the target substance on the electrode. In this project, we will apply this technology to develop a disposable sensor that can obtain the histamine concentration within 40 seconds of contact with fish meat and secure a sales network for this sensor, mainly on the west coast of the United States.
Transdermal drug delivery device with multi-frequency ultrasound irradiation
In this project, transdermal drug administration technology using ultrasound aims to achieve minimally invasive and safe administration of macromolecular drugs. This technology reduces the pain and stress of injections for patients and animals, leading to a business model for medical device venture companies that interact with pharmaceutical companies and patients. Currently, the main method of administering macromolecular drugs is by injection, which is painful and stressful for patients, however, this project proposes a technology to irradiate kHz and MHz band ultrasound, which is promising for efficient and deep drug administration. That is, this technology combines convenience and safety, providing unique value that exceeds current microneedles and other devices.
Development of an endoscopic biopsy technique utilizing bubble dynamics for minimally invasive and convenient lung cancer diagnosis
The aim of this project is to develop advanced cellular medicines based on intracellular mitochondria delivery technology. In the entry course, mitochondria-rich mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) will be prepared using intracellular mitochondria delivery technology, and their therapeutic efficacy will be evaluated in liver cirrhosis model mice. In addition, this project also aims to develop mitochondria-rich MSCs based cell sheets for disease treatment. Through these activities, we will demonstrate that intracellular mitochondria delivery technology will be useful for improving the effectiveness of cellular medicines, contributing to the development of advanced cellular medicines.
Reviewers
- ・
Hiroyuki Ishii
(Professor, Faculty of Science and Engineering and Director, Center for Entrepreneurship ) - ・
Koichi Eguchi
(Project Professor, Shibaura Institute of Technology ) - ・
Daisuke Katagiri
(Professor, Academic Research & Innovation Management Organization at Graduate School of Global and Transdisciplinary Studies, Chiba University) - ・
Mikio Kawahara
(Partner, University of Tokyo IPC) - ・
Munetoshi Sakai
(Deputy Director(Head of Industry-Academia Collaboration Division)/ Associate Professor, Research and Innovation Center, Ibaraki University) - ・
Katsuto Takagi
(The University of Electro-Communications) - ・
Masaki Nakagawa
(Chief University Research Administrator, Appointed Professor and Emeritus Professor at Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology) - ・
Yoshitaka Nishino
(Professor, Headquarters for International Industry-University Collaboration, University of Tsukuba) - ・
Takuya Nojima
(Project Associate Professor, Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Keio University) - ・
Mitsuko Hirata
(Professor, Department of Business Administration at Tokai University) - ・
Note:
(The reviewers are listed according to a Japanese alphabetical order. Their affiliations are at the time of review. )