OMU News

Osaka Metropolitan University and Shionogi & Co., Ltd. have concluded a comprehensive collaboration agreement aimed at promoting the development of a city resilient to infectious diseases, and held a signing ceremony on March 3, 2025.

Based on this agreement, OMU aims to establish the “Osaka Model” of industry-academia-government-residents collaboration, centered on the Osaka International Research Center for Infectious Diseases (OIRCID). This model will focus on constructing a clinical research network, promoting human resource development, and advancing joint research, thereby contributing to the improvement of public health and the maintenance and enhancement of people’s health in Osaka Prefecture and beyond, both domestically and internationally.

From OMU, President Masahiro Tatsumisago, Director of OIRCID Professor Hiroshi Kakeya from the Graduate School of Medicine, and Deputy Director of OIRCID Professor Shinji Yamasaki from the Graduate School of Veterinary Science attended the signing ceremony. From Shionogi & Co., Ltd., Representative Director, President and CEO Isao Teshirogi; Senior Executive Officer John Keller in charge of R&D; and Vice President of the External Collaboration Department Wataru Imamura participated.

Following President Tatsumisago’s address, President Teshirogi gave a presentation. This was followed by an introduction of OIRCID’s initiatives and an explanation of joint research aimed at building the “Osaka Model” of industry-academia-government-residents collaboration by Director Kakeya. Finally, Shinichi Fukushima, Chairperson of University Public Corporation Osaka, expressed great expectations for future collaborations.

OMU will leverage its urban think tank functions to contribute to solving various social issues, including infectious disease countermeasures and the development of specialized human resources, not only in Osaka but also domestically and internationally, through co-creation with industry, academia, government, and the community, aiming to realize a city resilient to infectious diseases.

Collaboration Initiatives:

1. Education, research, awareness activities, information gathering, and dissemination from an international perspective.
2. Strengthening the public health system.
3. Preparedness and response measures for infectious disease crises.
4. Policy support or recommendations directly linked to Osaka Prefecture or Osaka City regarding infectious disease countermeasures.
5. Exchange and development of researchers and students.
6. Other initiatives that contribute to the objectives of this Agreement.

Contact

Global Strategy Division
Email：gr-glo-strategy[at]omu.ac.jp
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