Central Institute for Experimental Animals has received the Minister of Health and Medical Strategy Award at the 3rd Japan Medical Research and Development Award for "Contribution to R & D in the medical field by developing cutting-edge laboratory animals". A commendation ceremony was held at the Prime Minister's Office on January 10, 2020, and a commendation certificate and shield were awarded by Masaaki Taira, Deputy Minister for Health and Medical Strategy.

The Japan Medical Research and Development Award is awarded for deepening the public's interest and understanding, as well as increasing the incentives of researchers, etc. by honoring achievements for cases that make great contributions to the promotion of research and development in the medical field. The Minister's Award for Health and Medical Strategy is awarded to "Cases with outstanding achievements (1 case)".

<Overview of Central Laboratory for Laboratory Animals>

Since 1995, Central Institute for Experimental Animals have been working on the development and commercialization of state-of-the-art laboratory animals for about 25 years. For example, the poliovirus receptor, which exists only in humans and monkeys, for testing the virulence of live polio vaccines polio mouse with a somatic gene integrated into the mouse chromosome was jointly developed with WHO and others and put into practical use.

In addition, the use of rasH2 mice developed by RIKEN has enabled the reduction of the carcinogenicity test performed in the final stage of drug development from the usual two years to six months. Central Institute for Experimental Animals developed immunodeficient NOG mice and started a new animal experiment system called humanized mice.