Corporate
Profile

[Company strength]
Our company was established in July 2005 as a business venture originating from Osaka University. We have a history of about 10 years in our mainline business of consignment production of crystals from proteins and difficult-to-crystallize pharmaceutical candidate compounds (organic small molecules). Unique ideas based on cross-field collaboration under the free research environment of the university produced such innovative crystal growth technologies as crystal nucleation by laser irradiation and solution agitation. We built up a business model dedicated to difficult crystallization, and we are taking up the challenge of crystallization every day to improve our technical power. We are also continuing R&D for new crystallization technologies by joint research with Osaka University and other parties.

[Business description]
Our company is mainly engaged in three businesses based on our core technology of crystallizing proteins and organic small molecules that are pharmaceutical candidate compounds.
(1) Consignment crystallization of pharmaceutical candidate compounds (organic small molecules) and proteins, and consignment X-ray crystal structure analysis.
(2) Production service for genetically modified proteins and one-stop service for drug development support.
(3) Development, manufacturing, and sales of physicochemical equipment (product names: Crystal Catcher, Crystal Remover, Micro Knife, Gel Catcher, Crystallization Plate, etc.).


[Industry]
R&D on consignment

[Strength of products/technologies]
Static storage had been considered to be good for protein crystal growth. Our new crystallization technology uses such unique techniques as laser irradiation and solution agitation to proactively control crystal growth, unlike the conventional technology. Our technology has improved the probability of success from about 20% by conventional methods to about 70%. The superiority of our technology and our achievements with it are globally known in the field of consignment crystallization services for proteins and difficult-to-crystallize organic small molecules. The extensive experience, knowledge, and know-how we have accumulated so far have led to a consignment crystallization service with high added value.

[Representative's message]
In the past decade we have received consignment orders from more than 90 companies, which are mainly pharmaceutical, chemical, and food manufacturers. Our steady improvement of customer satisfaction is increasing with repeat customers and also new customers. We are confident that our consignment crystallization service is making us known in the market and forming a solid sales foundation. There are needs for crystallization in other industrial fields. We will make ourselves ready to receive orders from other fields and contribute to society as a comprehensive crystal service company.

[Company structure for market development/overseas expansion]
We have been strengthening our customer support service since our foundation by developing sales channels in Japan and abroad. This is done through a work support contract with Mitsubishi Corporation, which is one of our stockholders. Our consignment service is now limited to within Japan. However, crystallization by laser irradiation is patented as our core technology in the United States and Europe.

[Market share/Ranking]
We are the only company that crystallizes proteins and organic small molecules on consignment.

[Awards and media coverage]
[Awards]
The 5th Bio-Business Competition Japan, Grand Prize (2005); Senshu Ikeda Bank New Business Grant Prize of Excellence (2005); the 16th Nikkei BP Technical Award, Grand Prize (2006); The 4th Merit Award Winners for Industry-Academia-Government Collaboration, Minister of State for Science, Technology and Innovation Policy Award (2006); the 20th Advanced Technical Grand Award of Originality, Special Prize (2006); the 1st Monozukuri Collaboration Award, Special Prize (2006); the 5th Japan Bio-Venture Award, Osaka Scientific Instruments Association Prize (2007); Prize for Science and Technology (Research Category), awarded by the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (2008); the 15th Technology Award by the Japanese Association for Crystal Growth (2008); The 44th Ichimura Prize in Science for Excellent Achievements (2012); The 29th Award for Papers of the Japanese Association for Crystal Growth (2012); the 25th SME Excellent New Technology and Innovative Product Award, Prize of Excellence (2013); the 6th Conference of the Laser Society of Japan, Prize of Excellence (2014).

[Media]
Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun, Nihon Keizai Shimbun, Nikkei Sangyo Shimbun, Yomiuri Shimbun, Asahi Shimbun, Mainichi Shimbun, Sankei Shimbun, and many others.


[Joint research and development]
Osaka University: Development of protein crystal growth technology; research on crystallization of proteins and organic small molecules, and X-ray crystal structure analysis; and research concerning development of new protein crystallization technology. Implementation of new protein crystallization technologies, such as crystal nucleation by laser irradiation and solution agitation, and R&D concerning the crystallization of organic small molecules and crystal polymorphism.

[Main Clients / Business History (domestic)]
We do business with about 90 domestic Japanese companies, which are mainly pharmaceutical, chemical, and food manufacturers.