Message from the CEO
A new society created by stem cells
SCAD was established in May 2014 with the aim of practically available on the research outcomes of pluripotent stem cell (ES/iPS cell) research conducted at Kyoto University’s (former) Institute for Frontier Medical Sciences (current Institute for Medical and Biological Sciences) and Institute for Integrated Cell-Material Sciences (iCeMS). Research starting from ES and iPS cells, which are called pluripotent stem cells or pluripotent cells and have the ability to differentiate (change) into cells of various organs and tissues of the body, will be incorporated into social systems such as medical care and drug discovery industries, and many people can benefit from the research results when they are put to practical use.
On the other hand, implementing advanced technology into society requires not only expertise in a specific field, but also a wide range of knowledge and experience. Especially in new fields, many discussions, trials, and explorations are required before practical application can be realized. For this reason, in addition to the members transferred from Kyoto University, we are working to deepen the transferred technology and ensure sufficient reliability as a commercial technology through the participation of members with diverse knowledge and experience, and we are also actively promoting the global expansion of these businesses.
Furthermore, based on the one-of-a-kind technologies developed independently for practical use and on joint development, collaboration, and support with external organizations, we are developing and commercializing new cell products and new treatment methods, and will continue to return the results of our research to society toward the realization of a “new society created by stem cells”.
Vision
We will contribute to the growth of a healthy society by promoting ”cell therapy” and “iPS drug discovery”.
Mission
Mission We will provide innovative and effective therapies through stem cell-applied technologies. Furthermore, we will contribute to the progress of practical regenerative medicine based on the technologies developed and optimized here.
Objectives
Provide new therapies for difficult-to-treat injuries and diseases through the use of advanced cell culture technology.
We create new value and businesses by promoting technological integration/development through collaboration with companies seeking to expand into cell-related fields.
| Company name | Stem Cell & Device Laboratory, Inc. (SCAD) |
| Locations | Head Office OFFICE-ONE Shijo Karasuma 11F, 480, Niwatoriboko-cho, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto 600-8491 Japan Phone：+81-75-744-1114 |
| IHK Office 4F Med-Pharm Collaboration Building, Kyoto University 46-29 Yoshida-Shimo-Adachi-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501 Japan Phone：+81-75-754-8910 | |
| Foundation year | May 29, 2014 |
| History | May 2014 Stem Cell & Device Institute, Inc. established. July 2014 Laboratory (now R&D Office) established at Creation Core Kyoto Mikuruma May 2023 R&D Office relocated to Med-Pharm Collaboration Building, Kyoto University |
Team
CEO
Kensuke Kato
Kensuke Kato, PhD. is the founding CEO of SCAD. From his initial experiences at the Agency of Industrial Science and Technology (currently AIST) and Hitachi Mechanical Engineering Research Laboratory, Dr. Kato has accumulated more than 20 years of experience in product and business development in high-technology fields including life science. Through the establishment of his own start-up backed by the Tokyo Institute of Technology in 2008, he supported a wide range of companies—from electrical and material manufacturers to public research institutions—with the formulation and execution of their new business development strategies. In 2014, Dr. Kato established the Stem Cell & Device Laboratory (SCAD) in Kyoto, Japan.
He specialized in business strategies for new technology commercialization at the Tokyo Institute of Technology (PhD., Management of Technology), and studied in Management of Technology at the University of Tokyo, graduate school of engineering. He has served as visiting professor at Osaka Metropolitan University, Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University (APU), and assistant professor at the University of Tokyo, Graduate School of Frontier Science. He also served as Director of Japan Society for Research Policy and Innovation Management (JSRPIM).
Director, Chief Advisor
Norio Nakatsuji
Prof. Nakatsuji is considered one of the pioneering stem cell researchers in Japan. After graduating from Kyoto University’s Faculty of Science with a PhD. in 1977, Prof. Nakatsuji conducted several research stays in the United States and the United Kingdom. During his professorial careers at the National Institute of Genetics and at Kyoto University’s Institute for Frontier Medical Sciences, Prof. Nakatsuji carried out the pioneering development and differentiation of diverse cell types, including embryonic stem (ES) cells, germ cells, and neurons. In fact, he led the Kyoto University team that established the first human ES cell line in Japan and distributed them to other scientists free of charge.
In 2003, Prof. Nakatsuji founded the university-originated start-up company Reprocell, which accomplished a successful IPO in 2013. From 2003 to 2007, he served as the Director of Kyoto University’s Institute for Frontier Medical Sciences. In 2007, he founded Kyoto University’s Institute for Integrated Cell-Material Sciences, an institute which advances cross-disciplinary research and technological innovation based on cell biology, chemistry and physics. In 2014, he also established the Kyoto Stem Cell Innovation, Inc., and currently serves as its CEO. Prof. Nakatsuji is also the Director General of Nakatsuji Foresight Foundation, which is a non-profit organization established to support society and young leaders of the next generation by advancing programs relating to education, science and technology.
Director
Kazuhide Konishi
Kazuhide Konishi, PhD. has experiences in drug discovery fields in Novartis Pharma and Taisho Pharmaceuticals after working as a postdoctoral fellow at Chemistry Department, the University of Virginia in the United States. And then, he worked in foreign-affiliated venture capital to support the commercialization of early seeds and ventures centered on regenerative medicine and drug discovery-related projects. Currently, he is a representative director of a chemical software company which is founded by own him in 2015, and CEO of Kyo Diagnostics KK. since 2019, which is a technology startup from Kyoto University. He graduated from the Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyoto University in 2000. PhD (Pharmaceutical science), pharmacist, MBA and registered management consultant.
Advisers
Hirofumi Suemori, PhD
Former Associate Professor, Institute for Life and Medical Sciences, Kyoto University
Ikuro Suzuki, PhD
Professor, Department of Electronics, Tohoku Institute of Technology
Kazuyuki Yamate (MBA)
Head of Digital Transformation Div., NIPPON SHINYAKU CO., LTD.
OZEKI Tamane, PhD
Associate Professor, Institute of Urban Management, Graduate School of Urban Management Department, Osaka Metropolitan University