Industry-Academia Collaboration, Research Support, and Research Bases

At the Keio University School of Medicine, University Research Administrators (URAs) in charge of intellectual property and industry-academia collaboration have been stationed at the Center for Integrated Medical Research since FY2014. URAs work in cooperation with relevant departments to provide support for the promotion of research.

The Research Park is a rental space within the Center for Integrated Medical Research that was completed in 2001. In principle, we provide a research environment (research space of approximately 90 to 121 square meters per unit) necessary for carrying out specific research projects under prescribed conditions for a maximum of five years (initial application for three years, extendable up to two years upon review). A maximum of 42 units can be operational. There are the following six types:

Research projects conducted by concluding a joint research agreement with a company

Research projects conducted by concluding a joint research agreement with a company derived from a Keio University-related startup that meets specific requirements

Projects premised on collaboration beyond the classroom/department level, aimed at promoting fusion research in different fields such as basic and clinical sciences, internal medicine and surgery, or the School of Medicine and the Faculty of Pharmacy

Research projects conducted through public projects from the government, etc.

Projects in which young researchers conduct research independently

Projects conducted by forming a consortium with multiple companies and research institutions, etc.

Research Departments are established for the purpose of advancing and enhancing research and human resource development through research activities at the School of Medicine, etc. They aim to respond quickly to social demands and changes in conditions regarding the university's social contribution through academic and industry-academia collaboration, and to contribute to the diversification and internationalization of research and human resource development systems. These Research Departments are divided into "Endowed Research Departments" and "Joint Research Departments."

Departments established and operated to conduct research using donations from individuals, corporations, and organizations

Departments established and operated to conduct research using research funds based on joint research agreements, etc., with companies, etc.

Keio University and JSR Corporation have constructed and will jointly operate the "JSR-Keio University Medical and Chemistry Innovation Center (commonly known as JKiC)," a joint research building with three floors above ground and one underground floor, positioned as a base for industry, academia, and medical collaboration on the Shinanomachi Campus (opened in 2017).

Such collaboration between a university school of medicine and a chemical materials manufacturer is an unprecedented attempt in the world. By having researchers from Keio University's School of Medicine and Hospital, which develop medical sciences and medical care as an integrated whole from basic to clinical stages, and chemical materials researchers from JSR, which positions the life sciences field as a strategic business and promotes the development of advanced materials and products, interact closely under the support of industry-academia-medical collaboration, we will realize a wide range of needs and advanced ideas in the medical field. We will create research and businesses that lead to the establishment and dissemination of new diagnostic and therapeutic technologies and medical support technologies that support a healthy and long-lived society.

On October 21, 2020, Keio University and RIKEN signed a Memorandum of Understanding on collaboration and cooperation based on the basic agreement concluded in 2008. The purpose is to promote co-creation by establishing a joint research base through their cooperation, expanding joint research opportunities, further promoting collaboration with industry, fostering human resources, and creating innovation, thereby contributing to the strengthening of Japan's research capabilities and industrial competitiveness.

Accordingly, the RIKEN-Keio University Shinanomachi Campus Joint Research Base has been established within the Shinanomachi Campus.