【Group photo】From Left: Dr. Mochizuki from BIKEN, Dr. Itakura, Prof. Sawa, Prof. Suzuki, Prof.Koh from IBS

On June 17, 2026, Professor Gou Young Koh, Director of the Center for Vascular Research at the Institute for Basic Science (IBS) , Republic of Korea, and Dr. Naoki Mochizuki, Executive Director of The Research Foundation for Microbial Diseases of Osaka University (BIKEN), visited IVReD.

Professor Hirofumi Sawa, Director of IVReD, introduced our mission and emphasized the importance of international collaboration in strengthening preparedness against infectious diseases. He also highlighted IVReD’s major research achievements to date and outlined its future research and development strategies. Following the introduction, Dr. Yukari Itakura presented her ongoing basic research aimed at developing an oral vaccine against rabies.

The visit concluded with an active discussion, during which participants exchanged views on current research findings and future research directions. The productive dialogue is expected to strengthen future collaboration and further advance vaccine research and development.

【Director Hirofumi Sawa presenting an overview of IVReD】

【Discussion】

Later that day, Professor Gou Young Koh delivered a lecture entitled “Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) Exit and Outflow: Meningeal Lymphatic Drainage” at the 827th Seminar of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, held in the Lecture Hall of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University (17:00–18:00).

Approximately 30 researchers and students attended the seminar. Professor Koh presented his latest research findings, followed by a lively discussion that provided an excellent opportunity for academic exchange among participants.

【Poster for the lecture】