On May 16 (Thu), "LINK-J Networking Reception UCLA Health: Partnering with Industry to Advance Healthcare" was held at Nihonbashi Life Science Hub. (Host: Life Science Innovation Network Japan, Inc. [LINK-J]; partners: UCLA Japan Center, UCLA Japan Alumni Association)
This event had the aim of building connections between, UCLA, the healthcare industry, and academic institutions. There were lectures and networking on the theme of partnerships between UCLA and industry to advance healthcare.
| Welcoming remarks | Mr. Kiyoshi Kurokawa (Professor Emeritus at the University of Tokyo and the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies) |
| Lecture 1 | Mr. Kazunori Kataoka (Vice-Chairman of the Kawasaki Institute of Industrial Promotion, Director General of the Innovation Center of NanoMedicine, Professor at the Institute for Future Initiatives, University of Tokyo) "More than 10 Years of Academic Exchange between the University of Tokyo/the Innovation Center of NanoMedicine and UCLA, and Its Fruits" |
| Lecture 2 | Ms. Johnese Spisso, MPA（President, UCLA Health CEO, UCLA Hospital System Associate Vice Chancellor, UCLA Health Sciences） "Innovating for Patient Care" |
| Lecture 3 | Ms. Desert Horse-Grant （Sr. Director, Research and Innovation UCLA Health / DGSOM） "Translation of Innovations" |
Welcoming remarks: Mr. Kiyoshi Kurokawa
Innovative Innovation in Japan and the United States
Lecture 1: Mr. Kazunori Kataoka
(Vice-Chairman of the Kawasaki Institute of Industrial Promotion, Director General of the Innovation Center of NanoMedicine, Professor at the Institute for Future Initiatives, University of Tokyo)
Mr. Kataoka spoke about the relationship between the University of Tokyo and UCLA, which started with a single email that came from UCLA in July 2006. In November 2007, the first joint symposium of The California Nano Systems Institute（CNSI） and the Center for Nano Bio Integration ; CNBI was held at UCLA, and more than 10 years of cooperation has followed after that.
Mr. Kataoka also introduced initiatives made by the Innovation Center of NanoMedicine (iCONM), Kawasaki Institute of Industrial Promotion, where he serves as Director General. COINS（Center of Open Innovation Network for Smart Health）, which is based at iCONM, is a center for open innovation whose manufacturing is leading the transformation to a smart life care society. He explained that they gather the latest writings and ideas from universities and companies in Japan and abroad with the aim of developing "products and services that change the future."
Ms. Johnese Spisso, MPA（President, UCLA Health CEO, UCLA Hospital System Associate Vice Chancellor, UCLA Health Sciences）
Ms. Spisso, who is President of UCLA Health, explained that they are an extremely large medical institution in their area, committed to research, education, and training. She also talked about initiatives such as how UCLA Health uses an Apple health app to efficiently share diagnostic data with patients.
Moreover, she discussed how the Center for SMART Health at UCLA (The UCLA Center for Systematic, Measurable, Actionable, Resilient, & Technology-driven Health) utilizes IT technology to work together in a variety of fields and to promote health.
Ms. Desert Horse-Grant （Sr. Director, Research and Innovation UCLA Health / DGSOM）
Ms. Horse-Grant explained that they had established an innovation fund in cooperation with not only the Department of Medicine but also the engineering, physical sciences, and life science departments in order to improve treatment, medical equipment/examinations, and digital technology across the campus. The goal of this innovation fund is to strengthen links between academia and industry, and swiftly introduce technologies and ideas to the market.
Some ideas have already been realized, such as fulfilling the wishes of patients in terminal care using VR technology.
The UCLA Biodesign Program was created under the motto "We won't hold back when it comes to providing better treatments to patients across the world." Working together with industry and the healthcare sector, they have established a place of learning at one of the world's best health institutions with the aim of providing patients across the world with more suitable treatments.
Q&A
After the 3 lectures, there was a question from the floor asking, "Are foreign startups eligible for the innovation fund, and what kind of supports exist for foreign startups?" Ms. Horse-Grant responded that "We also support foreign startups, so please don't hesitate to contact us."
There was a social gathering after the lectures. Participants commented that "I was moved to hear about UCLA Health in Japan" and "I appreciate that they told us in detail about how the funding works." We want to thank all participants from so many walks of life, including UCLA alumni, private businesses, and those affiliated with universities.
