New research partnership targets disease diagnostics
Singapore, May 22, 2013 – ARKRAY, Inc. has set up its first Asian research center outside Japan in Singapore’s Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (IBN). The company will invest $9.1 million over a 5-year period in this research venture and collaboration.
Professor Jackie Y. Ying, Executive Director of IBN (picture on right) said, “We are delighted to announce our partnership with ARKRAY, which has a long history of leadership in medical technology. IBN identifies with ARKRAY’s vision of improving lives through scientific advancement and new technological discoveries. We are confident that our collaboration with ARKRAY will lead to new devices and advanced instruments for disease detection and monitoring.”
Mr Takeshi Matsuda, President and CEO of ARKRAY shared (picture on left), “ARKRAY is excited to embark on this new venture with IBN. We have chosen to set up our newest research center in Singapore because of IBN’s distinguished knowledge and expertise in a wide variety of scientific fields, and we believe we can find a lot of opportunities to produce synergy with IBN through a long-term relationship.
”IBN is a multidisciplinary national research institute that has carved a niche in the area of biodevices and diagnostics through the use of nanotechnology and bio-MEMS to fabricate innovative miniaturized platforms for early and accurate disease detection. Since it was founded in 2003, IBN has established an active portfolio of over 620 patents/patent applications. It has spun off six companies in the medical technology sector.
ARKRAY is a pioneer in the field of automated analysis systems. Founded in 1960, it is one of the world’s leading companies in diabetes monitoring devices. Based in Kyoto, Japan, its products are distributed in over 80 countries.
ARKRAY’s new research center incubated in IBN will employ 21 researchers and will focus on developing novel detection kits for infectious diseases.
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For interview requests or media queries, please contact:
Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology
Elena Tan
Phone: 6824 7032
Email: elenatan@ibn.a-star.edu.sg
Nidyah Sani
Phone: 6824 7005
Email: nidyah@ibn.a-star.edu.sg
ARKRAY, Inc.
President’s Office, Public Relations & Advertising Department
Akira Yamamoto
Email: arkray_pr@arkray.co.jp
About the Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology
Established in 2003, the Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (IBN) is spearheaded by its Executive Director, Professor Jackie Yi-Ru Ying, who was a Professor of Chemical Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1992‒2005). In 2008, Professor Ying was recognized as one of “One Hundred Engineers of the Modern Era” by the American Institute of Chemical Engineers for her groundbreaking work on nanostructured systems, nanoporous materials and host matrices for quantum dots and wires. Under her direction, IBN conducts research at the cutting-edge of bioengineering and nanotechnology. Its programs are geared towards linking multiple disciplines across engineering, science and medicine to produce research breakthroughs that will improve healthcare and our quality of life.
IBN’s research activities are focused in the following areas:
· Nanomedicine, where functionalized polymers, hydrogels and biologics are developed as therapeutics and carriers for the controlled release and targeted delivery of therapeutics to diseased cells and organs.
· Cell and Tissue Engineering, where biomimicking materials, stem cell technology, microfluidic systems and bioimaging tools are combined to develop novel approaches to regenerative medicine and artificial organs.
· Biodevices and Diagnostics, which involve nanotechnology and microfabricated platforms for high-throughput biomarker and drug screening, automated biologics synthesis, and rapid disease diagnosis.
· Green Chemistry and Energy, which encompass the green synthesis of chemicals and pharmaceuticals, catalytic conversion of biomass, utilization of carbon dioxide, and new nanocomposite materials for energy applications.
For more information about IBN, please visit: www.ibn.a-star.edu.sg.
About ARKRAY, Inc.
ARKRAY is a commercial company and has an interest, expertise and proprietary technologies and know-how in the fields of research, development, manufacturing, sales and service of health-care products and medical diagnostic systems.
'ARKRAY' is a combination of two words: ARK and RAY. 'ARK' is an ark or a large wooden boat. As Noah's ark saved every kind of living creatures in the Old Testament of the Christian Bible, an ark is considered a symbol of life. 'RAY' is another word for brilliance. It also means rays of light, a flash, and a twinkle. Together they mean the 'shine of life'.
ARKRAY's mission is to contribute to the health and well-being of people all over the world through the advancement of science and the discovery of new technologies.
For more information about ARKRAY, please visit: http://www.arkray.co.jp.