Others
SGG(SNBL Global Gateway)
Centered around our facility in Washington State, USA, we are leveraging our long-standing CRO and Translational Research (TR) businesses to launch the SNBL Global Gateway (SGG) project, which maximizes our robust network with academia, investors, and professional companies in both Japan and the United States. Through this project, we promote research, human resource development, business incubation, and information dissemination, aiming to create new businesses from a global perspective.
This project is being promoted jointly with the SBI Group, which has a wealth of experience in global investment, focusing not only on the operation of business incubation facilities but also on fund management. By collaborating with several prestigious academic institutions in Japan and the United States, we accelerate the social implementation of research outcomes through the creation of university-based venture companies. At the same time, we support the growth of Japanese companies aiming to enter the US market and American companies planning to enter the Japanese market, creating new business opportunities for both sides.
By combining the experience and strengths of both the SNBL Group and the SBI Group, and maximizing the synergy between our business incubation and fund operations, we will drive the expansion and growth of our businesses.
Gemseki Investment
Our subsidiary, Gemseki Investment Co., Ltd., serves as a general partner to establish investment limited partnerships, actively providing funding through strategic investments in venture companies engaged in the research and development of pharmaceuticals and medical devices. In addition, our Gemseki Business Division strongly supports business development activities essential for the growth of venture companies and academia, such as building partnerships and licensing activities.
The main objective of both businesses is to support the growth and enhance the value of venture companies and academia, which often have limited management resources such as funding and personnel. We aim to discover promising drug discovery and technology seeds from around the world—still unrecognized but with great potential—as "raw gems," refine them, and transform them into valuable new drugs and medical devices—"jewels." To promote the creation of innovative pharmaceuticals and medical devices and support their growth, the SNBL Group has established a one-stop support system, contributing to the advancement of global healthcare.
Development of Artificial Seed Production for Glass Eels
SNBL is engaged in the development of artificial seed production for Japanese eels on Okinoerabu Island in Kagoshima Prefecture. "Seed" refers to juvenile fish used in aquaculture. While eel farming uses glass eels as seed, currently only wild glass eels caught in estuarine areas are used, and artificially produced glass eels have not yet been utilized.
Due to declining populations, the Japanese eel was designated as Endangered IB (species facing a high risk of extinction in the near future) on the IUCN Red List in 2014. Because of their rarity, glass eels are also known as "white diamonds," and issues such as poaching have arisen.
If mass production through seed production becomes possible, it will enable the full-scale commercial farming of Japanese eels, contributing to market stabilization, the prevention of overfishing of natural resources, and the preservation of Japan's food culture and marine resources. Additionally, it is expected to contribute to the local economy of Okinoerabu Island as a new industry.
New Initiatives for Improving Public Health
SNBL has been promoting research to advance the use of RWD (Real World Data) by establishing a joint research course at Juntendo University for three years starting in 2020.
RWD refers to data routinely collected in the medical and health fields. With the advancement of digital technology, the digitization of clinical data has enabled the collection of large volumes of RWD; however, the lack of standardization and structuring of this data remains a challenge.
We are actively supporting the commercialization of digital technology and RWD by leveraging our long-established network with pharmaceutical companies, medical institutions, and academia. The increased use of RWD is expected to contribute to improving the efficiency of clinical development for new drugs, controlling rising healthcare costs associated with an aging population, enhancing the quality of health management and preventive services, and ultimately improving public health and realizing a sustainable social security system.
