National Cancer Center Japan and Japan Investment Corporation (JIC) sign agreement to promote comprehensive collaboration

Overview

National Cancer Center Japan (“NCC”) and Japan Investment Corporation (“JIC”) concluded a comprehensive collaboration agreement on December 14, 2023, that is aimed at advancing the practical application of research and development outcomes within the medical field and the creation of next-generation industries originating in Japan.

The purpose of the agreement is for the NCC and JIC to collaborate and cooperate on the enhancement of advanced and specialized medical care and to create next-generation Japanese industries through the practical application of research and development outcomes in the medical field.

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Details of collaboration and cooperation

National Cancer Center Hospital East, which promotes the National Cancer Center Venture Incubation Program (“NCC VIP”), a program supporting startups originating in Japan who aim to commercialize innovative medical technologies in the field of cancer, and JIC Venture Growth Investments (“JIC VGI”), a subsidiary of JIC that invests in and supports startups, will jointly serve as the secretariat of the collaboration, and will plan and regularly check the progress of individual collaborative initiatives. Regarding these collaborative initiatives, NCC researchers will provide JIC VGI with information and advice on development strategy and scientific aspects, and JIC VGI will advise startups participating in the NCC VIP on capital structure, etc. to foster the development of startups in the fields of deep tech*¹ and life sciences.

Beyond their work to foster the development of startups, National Cancer Center Hospital East and JIC VGI will also work to mutually collaborate on an organization-wide basis on various opportunities to put innovative medical technologies to practical use, as well as on fostering the development Japan’s pharmaceutical and medical device industries.

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Comment from Hitoshi Nakagama, President, National Cancer Center

“Research in recent years has begun to reveal the extreme diversity and complexity of pathological conditions caused by cancer. In order to understand these complex cancer pathologies and provide more effective treatment for each cancer patient, a wide range of initiatives is required to develop new medical seeds. The conclusion of this agreement to promote comprehensive collaboration with Japan Investment Corporation (JIC) is a progressive initiative, and we expect it will accelerate the development of the Venture Incubation Program (VIP) that we have continued to promote centered on the East Hospital, and will enable the creation of innovative cancer medical seeds.”

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Comment from Keisuke Yokoo, President & CEO, JIC

“We are very pleased to have signed this agreement with the National Cancer Center today. We have high hopes that efforts to put the results of our research and development in the medical field to practical use will lead to the enhancement of advanced and specialized medical care and the creation of more next-generation industries in Japan. The JIC Group will continue working to build an ecosystem to foster startups in the life science and deep tech fields.”

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■About National Cancer Center

Established in 1962, National Cancer Center is a leading medical institution for cancer treatment and research in Japan. It is actively involved in medical investigator-initiated clinical trials and clinical research, and has a wealth of research results leading to the discovery of new drugs. National Cancer Center website:

https://www.ncc.go.jp/jp/index.html

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■About Japan Investment Corporation (JIC)

Japan Investment Corporation (“JIC”) was established on September 25, 2018, under the Industrial Competitiveness Enhancement Act. JIC’s investment focus areas are driving the creation of new businesses for Society 5.0, creating “unicorn startups”, leveraging promising untapped regional technologies and promoting business consolidation across industries and organizations. JIC provides risk capital to these areas through funds independently established by JIC and LP investment in private funds to promote open innovation and contribute to strengthening the competitiveness of Japanese industries and expanding the investmentecosystem.  

URL: https://www.j-ic.co.jp/en/

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*1 Deep Tech

Technology based on scientific discoveries obtained through research in specific natural science fields that, if commercialized or introduced into society, has the potential to have an impact on society, including potentially solving economic and social issues faced by a country or the entire world.