In our country, which is facing a super-aged society, there is an urgent need to advance medical innovation towards the formation of a healthy society with longevity. To achieve this goal sustainably, it is crucial to foster the development of pioneering medical technologies, including pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and regenerative medicine, and to establish robust platforms to facilitate their effective dissemination and implementation for the improvement of public health.
In this context, in April 2011, our center was established at Kyoto University Hospital with the primary objective of serving as a catalyst for the development of groundbreaking medical equipment, supported by “the Advanced Innovation Base Establishment Program” of METI (the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry). This building, which is equipped with rental laboratory space for academia-industry research projects, spans over five floors above ground and one below, with a total floor area of approximately 4,635 m2. Capitalizing on this dynamic atmosphere of open innovation, where we nurture collaborative partnerships between academic researchers and corporate entities, we are committed to expediting the commercialization of cutting-edge medical devices and technologies.
Furthermore, in April 2020, iACT (the Institute for Advancement of Clinical and Translational Science) was established via a strategic organizational restructuring aimed at bolstering the clinical research support system within our center and enhancing our ability to effectively tackle the increasingly complex challenges associated with medical device development, particularly in the realm of clinical research.
Since its establishment, the Center has been instrumental in the development of a variety of medical devices, including a state-of-the-art diagnostic modality that leverages innovative visualization technologies. Moreover, we conduct comprehensive human resource development programs aimed at advancing medical data utilization capabilities for the industry and provide our own research and development grants for medical devices. Our center’s core policy is to facilitate industry-government-academia collaboration and enable the rapid translation of innovative medical devices from clinical research to practical applications, spanning early diagnosis to treatment and encompassing compliance with regulations, including the Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Act. Building on this foundation, we aim to leverage the expertise of the Kyoto University and its affiliated hospital to further advance the utilization of medical information and promote the widespread adoption of cutting-edge medical technologies beyond traditional medical devices, such as regenerative medicine. We firmly believe that the medical equipment, technology, and personnel developed through our center will significantly contribute to the delivery of safe and high-quality healthcare.
Finally, we would like to express our sincerest gratitude to METI for generously funding the construction of our building, as well as to Canon Inc for their kind donations. Our endeavors are made possible through the collaborative efforts of individuals from Kyoto City and numerous organizations. We humbly request the privilege of your unwavering support going forward, while once again expressing our heartfelt appreciation for your partnership.
April 1, 2023
Etsuro Hatano, M.D., Ph.D.
Director,
Clinical Research Center for Medical Equipment Development (CRCMeD),
Institute for Advancement of Clinical and Translational Science（iACT),
Kyoto University Hospital
Etsuro Hatano, M.D., Ph.D.
Director
Clinical Research Center for Medical Equipment Development (CRCMeD),
Institute for Advancement of Clinical and Translational Science（iACT),
Kyoto University Hospital