A Guide to the Association for the Promotion of Bio-Industry in the Kinki
Region
[Outline]
Founded : March 6, 1985
Objectives: To facilitate close cooperation among industry, academic institutions and government toward the goal
of devising and implementing measures to promote bio-industry in the Kinki region. This region contains a number
of biotechnology-related enterprises (e.g., pharmaceutical, food, and chemical companies) and universities conducting
top-level research in the field of biotechnology.
Committee members: 110 (30 from academic organs, 20 from government, and 60 from industry)
Member companies: 45 companies (as of May 1999)
Membership fee: 120,000 yen/year
[Activities]
1. Coordination of support of biotechnology industrialization
Coordination is provided to support the industrialization of biotechnology.
The aim is to make efficient use of the results of novel biotechnology-related research and development activities
at universities, national and other public research institutes, research-oriented corporations, private research
institutes, etc., and the cumulative potential of bio-related industries, as represented by the chemical and food
industries.
To this end, specially assigned coordinators organize the promotion of industrialization. This is accomplished
in part by matching technological seeds to the needs of small and medium-sized enterprises and new ventures. The
coordinators also contribute to bringing about innovation by devising research and development projects and proposing
new systems. In line with these coordinating activities, the following actions will be taken.
(1) Coordination of the resolution of industrial needs and issues
Information is collected on industrial needs, and attempts are made to match the industrial needs to the technological
seeds. In addition, the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises and new ventures is facilitated by matching
these enterprises to external resources, proposing public subsidy systems, and helping enterprises to apply for
subsidies.
(2) Coordination of the industrialization of biotechnology seeds
Biotechnology seeds (technology maps) are prepared and made public, and opportunities are provided for exchange
of information to facilitate matching of the seeds to industrial needs.
(3) Coordination of the organization of technology development projects
Details of techniques and the feasibility of implementing them are evaluated for the selected research themes below,
and study groups are organized to promote R&D and joint research projects on these themes. Teams that contain
industrial, academic and governmental members are organized in these study groups, with emphasis laid on technical
seeds and needs. The most suitable public measures and systems are proposed for themes with high industrialization
potential.
Selected themes:
- environmental protection
- medical care and social welfare
- health and food stuffs
- measuring and evaluating technology
(4) Consultation desk for small and medium-sized enterprises
There is a consultation desk in the Secretariat of the Association for the Promotion of Bio-industry in the Kinki
Region, which has an office in the Osaka Science and Technology Center. Representatives of small and medium-sized
enterprises can meet with advisors at this desk to discuss their companies' needs, problems, etc.
2. Exchange of information and biotechnology PR activities
To facilitate the exchange of information and interpersonal relationships among members of the committee, the organization
will sponsor lectures given by outside lecturers and field trips related to biotechnology. It will also conduct
PR activities to promote community understanding of biotechnology.
(1) Lectures and field trips
The organization will sponsor lectures by outside lecturers and field trips to promote exchange of information
and interpersonal relationships among the members of this association. Lectures and field trips cover, for example,
environmental issues, food supplies, pharmaceutical products, recent administrative trends and measures related
to biotechnology, and trips to recently highlighted research institutes, business enterprises, etc.
(2) Special seminars and training (with financial support from the Japan
Keirin Association and in cooperation with the JBA)
- Sponsors bio-seminars and exhibitions for senior high school students and other interested people
- Provides opportunities for senior high school students to have experiences related to biotechnology
(3) Newsletters (issued approximately twice a year)
- Bring the latest information, including news on exchange meetings, research group activities, and other related
topics.
(4) Creation of an Internet home page
The Association for the Promotion of Bioindustry in the Kinki Region Home
Page is contained within the home page of the Osaka Science and Technology Center. It provides information on biotechnology-related
exchange meetings, study groups, etc.
3. Proposals for technology development projects and systems
Through the project-making coordinating actions described above in 1, we will combine the technological seeds of
universities and national and other public research institutes with industrial needs, and organize study groups
made up of industrial, academic, and governmental members, with the goal of enhancing bio-tech industrialization.
Organizing project creation by involving industrial, academic, and governmental
personnel;
Evaluating the technological aspects of research themes and the feasibility of industrializing these technologies;
Proposing research and development projects and systems.