■ Sponsored Session: Title: Bridging Science and Business: A Corporate Perspective on Collaboration Speaker: Hiroyuki Kanda Global Product Leader of Life Science Product Division, Rigaku Corporation
Hiroyuki Kanda, Global Product Leader of Life Science Product Division at Rigaku Corporation, delivered the presentation titled “Bridging Science and Business: A Corporate Perspective on Collaboration.” He emphasized the importance of collaboration between industry, academia, and government in advancing scientific innovation. Kanda introduced Rigaku Corporation, a company established in 1951, headquartered in Tokyo, and specializing in manufacturing scientific instruments, particularly X-ray technology.
From the lecture slides: Rigaku = 理学= SCIENCE
Kanda highlighted the concept of “Lab to Fab,” which represents the transition from laboratory research to fabrication and commercialization. He illustrated this through a successful collaboration between Rigaku and JEOL in developing the Synergy-ED, an electron diffraction system. This system enables the determination of 3D molecular structures from nanoparticles, offering new insights into pharmaceuticals. The project, initiated on May 25, 2020, was completed and launched within a year, showcasing the efficiency of collaboration.
From the lecture slides: “Fab to Lab”
He acknowledged the role of academia in the early stages of research and development, citing valuable feedback from Professor Susumu Kitagawa of Kyoto University. The Synergy-ED prototype was used to establish a part of the early proof of concept with Kitagawa’s laboratory members. Later, the Synergy-ED prototype was installed in Kitagawa’s laboratory. Kanda noted that while the scientific level in Japan is high, the number of scientific papers submitted by Japanese researchers is relatively low compared to their European counterparts. He attributed this to challenges in budget, agility, and intellectual property management.
Kanda proposed the creation of an open innovation platform, free from biases towards academia or industry, with the government acting as a neutral facilitator. Such a platform would address the challenges of financial support and regulatory flexibility, enabling agile decision-making and activities, he said. He emphasized the need for genuine collaboration to bridge science and business, contributing to the advancement of humanity.
In response to questions, Kanda explained that the collaboration with JEOL originated from discussions between the companies’ leadership. He highlighted the importance of having opportunities for discussion to identify promising projects and products. Kanda concluded by reiterating the significance of collaboration in transforming scientific discoveries into real-world applications, underscoring Rigaku’s commitment to such initiatives.
神田氏は、「Labo to Fab（ラボからファブへ）」という概念を紹介し、これは研究室での基礎研究を製造・商業化へと移行させるプロセスを指すと述べた。その具体例として、リガクと日本電子（JEOL）の協力によって開発された電子回折システム「Synergy-ED」を挙げた。このシステムは、ナノ粒子から分子の3次元立体構造を決定することを可能にし、医薬品研究に新たな知見をもたらす。プロジェクトは2020年5月25日に開始され、1年以内に完成・市場投入された。この迅速な開発は、協力の効率性を示す好例であると神田氏は述べた。
■ Sponsored Session: Title: From Discovery to Impact: Translating Noster’s R&D into Real-World Healthcare Solutions Speaker: Adarsh Sandhu, Board of Directors, Chief Scientific Officer (CSO), R&D Division, Noster Inc.
Adarsh Sandhu, Chief Scientific Officer at Noster Inc., delivered a compelling talk titled “From Discovery to Impact: Translating Noster’s R&D into Real-World Healthcare Solutions.” In his presentation, Sandhu emphasized the indispensable role of interdisciplinary collaboration in translating fundamental scientific discoveries into tangible healthcare applications.
Adarsh Sandhu at SJM2025
Introducing the concept of the microbiome, he explained how gut microbiota—microorganisms residing in the human digestive tract—play a crucial role in health by metabolizing dietary components into bioactive compounds known as metabolites. He described the gut as a dynamic microfactory, where these microbial processes generate metabolites with profound physiological effects.
Sandhu highlighted Noster’s core mission: to understand the functional roles of gut bacteria and their metabolites, and to harness this knowledge to guide dietary interventions and therapeutic innovations. He underscored the growing body of research linking gut health not only to metabolic disorders such as diabetes but also to neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s.
A particular focus of his talk was Noster’s pioneering work on postbiotics—metabolites produced by beneficial bacteria. He detailed the company’s innovation in biomanufacturing HYA, a key metabolite derived from natural oils, with potential applications in both pharmaceuticals and functional foods. This breakthrough has led to the development of HYA-50F, a functional food product now entering the market.
Sandhu elaborated on the biotransformation process, where selected bacterial strains and enzymes convert oils into therapeutically relevant metabolites. These compounds, he noted, show promise in modulating hormone production to treat metabolic diseases. He also acknowledged the critical support of research institutions such as Kyoto University and Keio University, and government agencies including the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO), in advancing Noster’s R&D efforts.
Beyond product development, Dr. Sandhu spotlighted Noster’s commitment to fostering global scientific collaboration. He introduced the Noster and Science Microbiome Prize, an international award recognizing outstanding young researchers in the microbiome field. He shared examples of ongoing partnerships with scientists across the United States and United Kingdom, including projects addressing gastrointestinal challenges in premature infants.
In closing, Sandhu reflected on the increasingly interdisciplinary nature of microbiome research, now enriched by contributions from physicists, mathematicians, and artificial intelligence experts. He extended an open invitation to professionals across fields to contribute to Noster’s mission. His presentation underscored the transformative potential of microbiome science and the vital importance of collaboration in shaping the future of healthcare.
さらにサンドゥー氏は、国際的な研究交流にも力を入れていることに触れ、世界中の若手研究者を対象とした「Noster and Science Microbiome Prize（Noster＆サイエンス・マイクロバイオーム賞）」を通じて、国際的な連携を深めていると述べました。英国や米国の研究者と連携し、未熟児の腸の健康課題など、世界的な医療課題の解決に取り組んでいる事例も共有されました。
■ Opening: Title: AAAS and Science Publishing – Latest Global Trends Speaker: Bill Moran Publisher of the Science Family of Journals
Bill Moran, the publisher of the Science family of journals, delivered the presentation titled “AAAS and Science Publishing – Latest Global Trends.” He began by expressing gratitude for the opportunity to speak and introduced key members from AAAS and Science who were present in the audience. These included Holden Thorp, the editor-in-chief; Meagan Phelan, the communications director; Roger Goncalves, the associate director for international collaborations; and Brian Lynn, the director of EurekAlert. Each of these individuals were available for private discussion with the audience.
Bill Moran, Publisher of the Science Family of Journals
Moran emphasized AAAS’s mission-driven approach, focusing on advancing science and serving society. He highlighted the VAST (The Vision for American Science and Technology) initiative, which was launched to address science policy in the U.S. This initiative, led by CEO Sudip Parikh and other industry leaders, aims to unleash the full potential of science and technology by building a strong and adaptable workforce and driving breakthroughs to enhance global competitiveness and national security. He suggested that VAST could serve as a model for Japan and other countries to address current scientific challenges.
From the lecture slides: The Vision for American Science & Technology (VAST), 2025 URL: https://www.vastfuture.org/
In addition, Moran reflected on the changing global scientific landscape, particularly China’s commitment to research and development as a percentage of GDP, which he contrasted with the relative percentage decline in the U.S.
Moran stressed the importance of basic research, which is crucial for innovation but currently underfunded. He highlighted the need for policies that ensure research security while remaining open and streamlined. Additionally, he discussed the challenge of talent retention and acquisition in Japan, suggesting that bringing in international students could be a strategic move to bolster the workforce. Furthermore, Moran introduced the concept of science diplomacy, which uses science as a tool to foster international collaboration and dialogue. He mentioned a collaborative project with the Royal Society, focusing on science diplomacy in an era of disruption, which seeks to bring governments together to discuss policy and promote science without borders. This initiative underscores the importance of international cooperation.
From the lecture slides: Science diplomacy in an era of disruption
To conclude, Moran reiterated the importance of collaboration in advancing science and addressing global challenges. He quoted Helen Keller, stating, “Alone, we can do very little, but together we can do a lot,” to emphasize the need for collective efforts in the scientific community.
■ Opening / オープニング 演題：AAAS and Science Publishing – Latest Global Trends（AAASと科学出版－最新のグローバルトレンド） 演者：Bill Moran（ビル・モラン） Publisher of the Science Family of Journals
Moranは、AAASの使命主導型のアプローチを強調し、科学の進展と社会への貢献に焦点を当てていることを説明。彼は、米国の科学政策に取り組むために立ち上げられた「VAST: The Vision for American Science and Technology」イニシアチブを紹介した。この取り組みは、CEOのSudip Parikhと他の業界リーダーによって主導されており、強靭で柔軟な人材を育成し、科学技術の潜在力を最大限に引き出すことで、世界的な競争力と国家安全保障を高めることを目的としている。Moranは、このVASTが日本や他国にとっても、現在の科学的課題に取り組むためのモデルとなり得ると提案した。
講演スライドより：Science diplomacy in an era of disruption
最後にMoranは、科学の進展と地球規模の課題への対応には協力が不可欠であると改めて強調した。そして、ヘレン・ケラーの言葉「Alone, we can do very little, but together we can do a lot（一人ではほとんど何もできないが、共に力を合わせれば多くのことができる）」を引用し、科学コミュニティにおける協働の必要性を訴えて講演を締めくくった。
