The Innovation Center of NanoMedicine (iCONM), the third major pillar of the Kawasaki INnovation Gateway (KING) SKYFRONT opens in April 2015.

iCONM is the only research institute of nanomedicine in Japan. Activities at the institute are focused on research and development of innovative medical technologies using nanometer scale polymeric compounds known as “smart nanocarriers” in order to address a broad range of medical issues.

One of the research objectives is to reduce the mortality rate associated with intractable cancer tumors—which do not respond well to conventional therapies—by means of new targeted therapy using anticancer-drug-loaded nanocarriers designed to deliver drugs directly to cancer cells. Due to their extremely small size, nanocarriers can pass through tissues of the body, which is not possible for other compounds. The nanocarriers therefore hold great potential for applications to neurological disorders including Alzheimer's disease.

Led by Professor Kazunori Kataoka of the University of Tokyo, research and development of nanomedicine at the iCONM will be carried out in collaboration with researchers from other universities and industrial partners.

Please refer to the feature article (video) in the March 2015 issue of Kawasaki Skyfront iNewsletter for more information.

Innovation Center of NanoMedicine (iCONM) led by Professor Kazunori Kataoka

figure caption:Innovation Center of NanoMedicine (iCONM) led by Professor Kazunori Kataoka