According to Fuji Market Research, the energy drink market was driven by Red Bull Japan. Yoghurt drinks topped sales of 100 bill Yen in the same period. Nikkei Biotech news release, June 30, 2014
RIKEN’s K-supercomputer is world’s number 1 in large-scale graph analysis (Graph500)
At the International High-Performance Computing Conference ISC 2014 in Leipzig, RIKEN’s K-computer came out as number one in graphic analysis, ahead of IBM, Julich and Tianhe. RIKEN news release, June 24, 2014
RIKEN Fantom consortium finds protein CCL2 to enhance pluripotency of human induced pluripotent stem cells
The effect is observed if the chemokine CCL2 is added tot he culture of mouse or human iPS cells. The effect is believed tob e based on activating hypoxia related genes. RIKEN news release, June 24, 2014
Takara Bio ties up with iHeart Japan on iPS-cell-derived drug discovery research
The arrangement is limited to Japan and Asia and covers the development of drugs based on iPS-derived tissue. Takara Bio news release, June 24, 2014
Takasago and Amyris develop new fragrance materials based on farnesene
After successful completion of a feasibility study, Takasago will work on commercialization of these compounds based on Amyris trans-ß-farnesene obtained from engineered yeast Amyris news release, June 6, 2014
NIAS will start GEM silkworm breeding in open facility by mid-July, 2014
The National Institute of Agrobiological Sciences (NIAS) announced that the experimental design for studies in open systems are complete. It is hoped to develop new business for sericulture farmers, e. g., in Gunma Prefecture, a world cultural heritage center for silk industry. Nikkei Biotech news release, June 23, 2014
Teijin and Chemo-Sero-Therapeutic Research Institute (Kaketsuken) develop sheet-type fibrin sealant for surgery
The joint-development project combines KAKETSUKEN’s recombinant thrombin and fibrinogen know-how with the Teijin Group’s high-performance fiber and pharmaceutical technologies, with the aim of creating the world’s first recombinant fibrin sealant on electrospun fiber sheet. The product KTF-374 is bio-absorbable and need not be removed after use. Teijin news release, June 20, 2014
Takeda stops development of prostate cancer drug TAK-700
TAK-700 (orteronel) is an inhibitor of testosterone biosynthesis (a sterol 17,20-lyase inhibitor). Results in phase III tests were disappointing. Takeda news release, June 19, 2014
J-TEC announces success for autologous skin replacement in Epidermolysis bullosa
Clinical trials for autologous skin tissue treatment of Epidermolysis bullosa, an inherited skin disease, were successfully completed. J-TEC news release, June 19, 2014
Kyowa Hakko Kirin starts clinical trials on Alzheimer-directed peptide antibody
The clinical phase I tests, using an anti-Aß antibody developed by Kyowa Hakko Kirin subsidiary Oncotherapy, will be done in Belgium. They cover Alzheimer’s disease in a prodromal phase Kyowa Hakko Kirin news release, June 19, 2104