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The objective of this consortium is "concrete efforts for social implementation of 3D bioprinting technology for the production of cultured edible meat. Through collaboration across companies, the consortium will promote "development of applications of 3D bioprinting technology," "establishment of an integrated value chain from production to distribution," and "contribution to the development of laws and regulations through collaboration with government ministries and private companies.
In addition, we will focus on "information dissemination to promote sei-katsu-sha understanding," including an exhibition at the 2025 Japan International Expo, with the aim of realizing the world's first use of cultured meat for human consumption.
Background and Prospects for the Establishment of the "Cultured Meat Future Creation Consortium
The consortium members consist of an "Operating Partner," which is responsible for technology development, collaboration with government ministries and agencies and related organizations, and external information dissemination; an "R&D Partner," which engages in joint research in specific technological areas; and a "Social Implementation Partner," which disseminates information to promote cultured meat-related technologies and products. The "Operating Partners" will be Osaka University, Shimadzu, ITOHAM Yonekyu, Toppan Printing, and Sigmaxis. The Consortium invites organizations from diverse fields to participate as "R&D Partners" and "Social Implementation Partners.
Recruitment:s-matsusaki@chem.eng.osaka-u.ac.jp
In August 2021, Osaka University and Toppan Printing Co. published a paper on a technology for 3D printing different fibrous tissues (muscle, fat, and blood vessels) and integrating them together. This technology will be used as the basis for a new 3D printing technology that will be developed by Osaka University and Toppan Printing Co. Based on this technology, Osaka University, Shimadzu, and Sigmaxis signed a collaboration agreement in March 2022 for the "social implementation of 3D bioprinting technology" and started efforts for its practical use.
The newly established "Cultured Meat Future Creation Consortium" will further develop these collaborations and accelerate technological development through the participation of Itoh Ham Yonekyu, which has long-standing expertise in cultured meat. Prior to the establishment of this consortium, Osaka University, Shimadzu, ITOHAM Yonekyu, Toppan Printing, and Sigmaxis signed an agreement in January 2023 for the "social implementation of edible cultured meat technology by 3D printing" and established a framework for activities.
In conjunction with the establishment of this consortium, Osaka University, ITOHAM Yonekyu, and Toppan Printing have opened the "Joint Research Chair for Social Implementation of Cultured Meat" on the Suita Campus of Osaka University. This Joint Research Chair and the Osaka University-Shimadzu Analytical Innovation Collaborative Research Institute, established in December 2019, will serve as the Consortium's research promotion base.
The five parties plan to co-sponsor the "Osaka Healthcare Pavilion Nest for Reborn" at the Osaka/Kansai Expo, where Osaka Prefecture, Osaka City, and others will be exhibiting their activities, and to display their automated cultured meat production equipment. We are also considering offering cultured meat produced with 3D bio-printing technology to visitors who wish to receive it. Through our activities at the Osaka-Kansai Expo, we will present cultured meat as one of the "foods of the future" that will reduce the environmental burden and solve the global shortage of protein, and promote sei-katsu-sha understanding of this concept.
Through the activities of this consortium, the five parties will contribute to solving environmental and food problems, improving people's health, and proposing food for the future.
About Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University
Role as an operating partner: promoting the development of 3D bioprinting technology
Professor Noriya Matsuzaki
URL:. http://www.chem.eng.osaka-u.ac.jp/~matsusaki-lab/
About Shimadzu Corporation
Role as an operating partner: Automation of 3D bioprinting technology, analysis and evaluation of the taste and aroma of cultured meat produced by 3D bioprinting technology, promotion of development of peripheral technologies such as analysis related to culture, development of media suitable for automated production, organization and maturation, monitoring and feedback of culture process
| name of company | Shimadzu Corporation |
| Establishment | September 1917 (founded in March 1875) |
| Location | 1, Nishinokyo Kuwabara-cho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto |
| representative | Yasunori Yamamoto, President and Representative Director |
| uniform resouce locator | https://www.shimadzu.co.jp |
About ITOHAM YONEKYU HOLDINGS Co.
Role as an operating partner: Provision of meat cells as a basis for high-quality cultured meat, eating and sensory evaluation of cultured meat produced by 3D bioprinting technology, and promotion of development of peripheral technologies such as organization and maturation.
| name of company | ITOHAM YONEKYU HOLDINGS Co. |
| Establishment | April 2016 |
| Location | 1-6-21 Mita, Meguro-ku, Tokyo |
| representative | Isao Miyashita, President and Representative Director |
| uniform resouce locator | https://www.itoham-yonekyu-holdings.com |
About Toppan Printing
Role as an operating partner: Optimization of muscle and fat fiber structure for 3D bioprinted cultured meat production technology, development of extracellular matrix materials (bioink and binding material), and promotion of development of peripheral technologies contributing to primary packaging, etc.
| name of company | Toppan Printing Co. |
| establishment | 1908 (founded January 1900) |
| Location | 1-3-3, Suido, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo |
| representative | Hideharu Maro, President and Representative Director |
| uniform resouce locator | https://www.toppan.co.jp |
About Sigmaxis
Role as an operating partner: Project management office for collaboration and progress management among companies and organizations with peripheral technologies and know-how.
| name of company | Sigmaxis Corporation |
| Establishment | October 1, 2021 (Business started in 2008) |
| Location | 9F Toranomon Towers Office, 4-1-28 Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo |
| representative | Representative Director and Co-Chairman: Hiroshi Ota, Representative Director and Co-Chairman: Yasuhiko Hayasaka |
| uniform resouce locator | https://www.sigmaxyz.com/sx/ |
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