Kobe University applied to the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) for a “Project for the Establishment of Facilities for Industry-Academia-Government Collaboration and Joint Research through Cooperation among Regional Core and Distinctive Research Universities” (as part of the second supplementary budget for FY 2022), which supports developing facilities necessary for the implementation of strategies to enhance research capabilities and focus on strengths, distinctive research and hubs for social implementation centers in core and distinctive research universities. The project was adopted on April 21, 2023.

The project applied for by Kobe University is to develop a facility to promote open innovation and incubation in the field of bio-manufacturing by integrating bio-production engineering and digital technology in the Kobe Biomedical Innovation Cluster. The university has been in the process of publicly soliciting applications to acquire land in the Port Island area for the construction of the facility, and officially concluded a land purchase agreement with the City of Kobe on October 10, 2023. Construction of the facility will now proceed in earnest.

Rendering of the "Bio Manufacturing Co-Creation Center"

Concept of the Digital Biotechnology and Life Science Research Park

The construction of this facility will establish a system to seamlessly conduct everything from basic research to the creation and nurturing of global startups and will strongly promote the formation of an innovation ecosystem that will serve as the foundation of the university's research strategy. For companies, a research environment will be provided that includes cutting-edge equipment and facilities related to “bio manufacturing,” the fostering of outstanding bio researchers, and a support system for the creation of intellectual property and startups.

Specific results expected after the development of the project are (1) the creation of one or two new start-ups per year, (2) an increase in joint and funded research due to the advancement of biomanufacturing-related companies (from the current ¥900 million to ¥1.5 billion by 2032), and (3) an increase in employment (from the current 81 to 400 by 2032) due to the creation of new start-ups.

Furthermore, the Kobe Center for Medical Innovation (KCMI) and Creative Lab for Innovation in Kobe (CLIK) are located in the surrounding area, and it is expected that the synergistic effect of the facilities to be developed by Kobe University will lead to further innovation in various fields, including the biomanufacturing area.
Through the development of this facility, the university will link the results of its research on biomanufacturing to innovations in solving social issues in Japan and abroad and creating new industries, including start-ups, while also strengthening the functions of the university itself.

Contact

■Division for the Promotion of Industry-University Cooperation
　Mail：ksui-sangakukan_g@office.kobe-u.ac.jp　 Tel：078-803-5455