The Institute for Vaccine Research and Development (IVReD) at Hokkaido University has been newly selected for the “Research and Development Platform Project for Pharmaceuticals and Other Products for Responding to Infectious Disease Crises” administered by the Strategic Center of Biomedical Advanced Vaccine Research and Development for Preparedness and Response (SCARDA) of the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED).
This project was based on the “Strategy for Strengthening the Development and Production Systems for Medical Countermeasures (MCM) such as vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics for Infectious Disease Crises,” which was approved by the Cabinet on March 24, 2026. The initiative aims to establish world-class research and development hubs to facilitate a rapid, nationwide response to infectious disease emergencies. It also seeks to build robust R&D frameworks for MCM during non-emergency periods, thereby strengthening and advancing research efforts geared toward practical application.
Building on these achievements, IVReD has collaborated with the Influenza Virus Research Center at the National Institute of Infectious Diseases (NIID), Japan Institute for Health Security (JIHS), to contribute to Japan’s national stockpile of pre-pandemic influenza vaccines. This effort included the use of a highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (H5N1) strain first isolated from a wild red fox in Japan.
Furthermore, through a joint research partnership with Shionogi & Co., Ltd., IVReD has gained experience in the development of therapeutics, including the successful implementation of the oral COVID-19 treatment, ensitrelvir fumarate. Leveraging this expertise, IVReD will comprehensively advance the development and practical implementation of MCM, including diagnostic methods.
To achieve these goals, IVReD will establish an “All-Hokkaido University” collaborative framework. This initiative will integrate researchers and research support personnel from a diverse range of fields and organizations, including Hokkaido University Hospital, the Graduate School of Medicine, the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, the Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine, the Institute for Genetic Medicine, the International Institute for Zoonosis Control, the Graduate School of Public Policy (HOPS), and also the Integrated URA Office, etc. By bringing together expertise from different fields, we aim to establish a research and development platform that supports all aspects of infectious disease control, from vaccine-based prevention to testing, diagnosis, and treatment.
Furthermore, we will use our newly established small-scale GMP facility for clinical-grade protein production to advance research and development and manufacture investigational products in preparation for future infectious disease emergencies.
IVReD will continue to strengthen the research and development system to rapidly translate basic research findings into preclinical studies, clinical trials, and practical applications. We will also further expand our collaborations with research institutions, government agencies, and industry partners in Japan and around the world. Through these efforts, we aim to accelerate the development of vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics to prepare for future infectious disease threats and contribute to improving global public health.
+++++++
The text of this source website was prepared in Japanese and has been translated using Google Translate. No automated translation is perfect. This translation is provided “as is.”
The attribution requirements for Google Translate require that we provide the following additional disclaimer language, without modification:
THIS SERVICE MAY CONTAIN TRANSLATIONS POWERED BY GOOGLE. GOOGLE DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES RELATED TO THE TRANSLATIONS, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING ANY WARRANTIES OF ACCURACY, RELIABILITY, AND ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND NONINFRINGEMENT.
+++++++