Osaka University DeepTech Showcase

*In-person program

Osaka University in Japan is one of the top universities creating research seeds and strong Japanese deep tech startups, contributing to and solving social issues worldwide.

Promising new startups have launched recently in cutting-edge fields such as quantum computing, laser fusion, and regenerative medicine from Osaka University and Osaka University Venture Capital.

Don’t miss out on this chance to connect with six researchers and four startups and be part of the conversation shaping the future of innovation!

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Startup Presenters

Thinker Inc. | Takeshi Fujimoto, Division Manager, Global Business Development Division

【Robot Hand Sensor Development Project Using Proximity Sensors】

– Due to the decline in the working population, production sites are being forced to further automate, but there are many tasks that require dexterity that conventional robots cannot handle, and creating dexterous robots that can respond independently to diverse changes in circumstances is a major challenge.
– Our proximity sensors simultaneously measure the distance and inclination of the target object, enabling non-contact sensing at close ranges from the robot’s fingertips to the workpiece.
– We aim to use proximity sensors to improve the dexterity of the robot arm’s hands and realize a world where dexterous robots abound everywhere.

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Atransen Pharma | Nobuhiro Andrew Kawai, PhD, President & COO

Atransen Pharma, established in 2022 based on research results from Osaka University, is engaged in the research and development of novel cancer treatments focusing on L-Type Amino Acid Transporter (LAT1). The company has a pipeline of novel LAT1 inhibitors, APL1101 and APL1202 for next-generation Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT). APL1101 is a small molecule compound with potent antitumor effects through LAT1 inhibition, and is currently in preclinical development.

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MyImmune | Florian Hauer, CEO

MyImmune is a groundbreaking AI-powered healthtech platform that decodes the immune system to revolutionize diagnostics, therapeutic discovery, and R&D. By leveraging a patented algorithm, MyImmune detects disease signatures from immune cells with unprecedented precision, enabling the identification of hard-to-diagnose conditions like cancer and autoimmune diseases through a simple blood test. This platform eliminates the need for invasive biopsies, allowing the detection of countless diseases simultaneously. With scalable, lab-friendly protocols, MyImmune can outperform traditional liquid biopsies in sensitivity and versatility, offering new horizons in diagnostics and therapies based on the immune system. Backed by an international team of experts, MyImmune’s mission is to disrupt the future of healthcare.

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JiMED | Masayuki Hirata M.D., Ph.D. & M.Eng., Professor,
Department of Neurological Diagnosis and Restoration, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine

JiMED Inc. is creating innovative healthcare solutions using Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) technology that connects the brain to external devices. Our goal is to achieve a society without barriers imposed by physical limitations and to realize valuable human augmentation for patients and those around them.
Leveraging the research developed by Professor Hirata and his team at Osaka University, we are developing a wireless implantable BCI (wiBCI®).
By using wiBCI, patients can control external devices such as PCs or robots simply by thinking. This technology enables patients who have lost communication or motor functions due to severe neurological diseases or traumatic injuries to communicate with others or support their movements.
The manufacturing development has already been completed, and we are preparing for clinical trials. Moving forward, JiMED plans to enhance and expand its services by increasing the range of external applications that connect to wiBCI.

Researchers

Yoichi Hoshimoto | Associate Professor, Graduate School of Engineering, Center for Future Innovation

【Hydrogen purification technology using liquid organic hydrogen carriers (LOHC)】

– Hydrogen is an essential energy carrier for achieving a green and sustainable future. The amount of hydrogen production and, hence, consumption will increase significantly in the mid- to long-term future. Thus, the development of a technology that reduces the environmental impact of hydrogen production processes should be highly valuable.
– A characteristic feature of our technology includes simultaneous purification and storage of hydrogen in LOHCs from a variety of crude hydrogen sources without using conventional energy-consuming purification processes. In addition, our technology can also produce high-purity hydrogen (99.999%).
– We would like to contribute to realizing a hydrogen society by providing a new hydrogen purification system that can also be used for on-site production of hydrogen in a sustainable manner.

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Hiro Tabata | Specially Appointed Researcher, Research Center for Solar Energy Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering Science

【Bio-manufacturing using chemically synthesized sugars produced from CO2】

– Biomanufacturing technology uses microbes to produce high-value-added substances, which holds great promise for advancing carbon neutrality.
– Currently, the raw materials for biomanufacturing are sugars derived from biomass sources like corn and sugarcane. However, producing sugar through agriculture can lead to competition between manufacturing and food production.
– Our unique and novel technology aims to synthesize sugars that do not rely on agriculture, significantly enhancing the sustainability of biomanufacturing.

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Katsumasa Fujita | Professor, Department of Applied Physics

【Practical application of rapid-freezing devices for optical observation】

– The development of high-resolution cell observation technology has made it possible to analyze the internal structure and environment of cells at the molecular level. However, it is difficult to observe a moving biological sample at a specific moment and match that information in time and space. Our technology allows samples observed under an optical microscope to be rapidly frozen at any time, making it possible to obtain information on the state of the sample and various biomolecules with high resolution and high sensitivity.
– We hope to greatly contribute to quality control in basic biological and medical studies, regenerative medicine and pharmaceuticals through the manufacture and sale of our rapid freezing devices for optical observation.

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Yuki Tamagawa, MD | Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Department of Cardiovascular Surgery

【Development of a nerve stimulation device for early weaning the patients from the ventilator in intensive care unit.】

– Each year, approximately 120,000 patients require mechanical ventilation in intensive care units due to various illnesses. While patients can be weaned off mechanical ventilation if their underlying conditions improve, this support often extends for prolonged periods. As a result, their ability to breathe may significantly decline, making
extubation challenging. Currently, there are no effective treatments available, leading to extended mechanical ventilation and increased mortality rates.
– We are developing a novel catheter-based device that stimulates the phrenic nerve in patients receiving mechanical ventilation. Our device has the potential to shorten the duration of mechanical ventilation, reduce complications and mortality rates, save hundreds of billions in healthcare costs, and lighten the burden on medical staff involved in patient rehabilitation.

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Gajanan S. Revankar | Specially Appointed Assistant Professor, Graduate School of Medicine, Division of Medicine

【Developing a patient-centered AI app for early dementia detection】

– Dementia is one of the biggest medical challenges across the globe right now. With no cure, early diagnosis and detection are key to alleviating the symptoms and rehabilitating the individual. However, identifying the disease in the early stages is costly and not necessarily patient-centric.
– Our technology not only identifies early dementia but also distinguishes between two of the biggest dementia subtypes – Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). We have succeeded in developing a smartphone-based behavioral AI system called “maya-mind” that enables inexpensive and simple identification with highly accurate imaging-level diagnosis.
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In Cooperation with

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Supporting Organizations

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