• ABOUT US

Synplogen Co., Ltd. is a synthetic biology startup established in February 2017, originating from Kobe University’s Graduate School of Science, Technology and Innovation. Using our proprietary DNA synthesis technologies OGAB™ and Combinatorial-OGAB, we provide DNA synthesis and DNA library construction services, and as a biofoundry specializing in gene therapy, “Gene Therapy Biofoundry™”, we also provide design, development and analysis services for gene therapy products such as viral vectors and mRNA.


service

Services

DNA SYNTHESIS SERVICES

DNA SYNTHESIS SERVICES

OGAB™ can be used to synthesize DNA of various lengths up to 100 kbp, as well as complex DNA syntheses with features such as high/low GC content and repeat sequences. We also design and construct large and diverse DNA libraries tailored to our clients’ needs using Combinatorial-OGAB.

DNA SYNTHESIS SERVICES
GENE THERAPY BIOFOUNDRY

GENE THERAPY BIOFOUNDRY

We provide Gene Therapy Biofoundry™ services related to commercializing research for gene therapy products (Chemistry, Manufacturing and Control: CMC). In addition, through collaborations with domestic and overseas development partner companies capable of GMP-compliant manufacturing, we have established an integrated development and manufacturing value chain that will contribute to early entry into clinical trials and early commercialization of innovative gene therapy products.

GENE THERAPY BIOFOUNDRY

Company Overview

Company

Company Name
Synplogen Co., Ltd.
Address
Head Office / R&D Center:
CLIK 4F, 6-3-7 Minatojima-Minamimachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe 650-0047 Japan
Founded
February 21, 2017
Paid-in Capital
¥3,247.28 million (Incl. capital reserves)
Business Domain
Custom DNA synthesis and Gene Therapy Biofoundry services
Board of Directors
Representative Director, CEOKazuhiko Yamamoto
Kazuhiko Yamamoto graduated from Hitotsubashi University, Faculty of Commerce and Management, in1988. After working for Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. and Nomura Research Institute, Ltd., he was in charge of finance and management strategy at several companies. In 1998, he founded an independent venture capital firm and became a representative director. As a venture capitalist specializing in the early stage, he engaged in investment and development of startup companies, while also providing consulting services on M&A and financial strategies as a corporate finance expert. In April 2016, he was appointed as a professor at Graduate School of Science, Technology and Innovation, Kobe University. He has served as a director of Synplogen since September 2018, and appointed as a Representative Director of Synplogen in December 2021.
Director, CTONaoyuki Yamada, PhD
Naoyuki Yamada graduated with a master degree from Graduate School of Science, Chiba University in 1990, and received a doctorate in agriculture from The University of Tokyo in 2007. He joined Ajinomoto Co., Inc. in 1990. As a specialist in analytical chemistry, he engaged in R&D of analytical and structural analysis technologies for biopharmaceuticals, food enzymes, and managed advanced analytical research group and cell culture media development group for six years as an associate general manager. From 2017 to 2022, he served as a manager in the Drug Discovery and Development Division of Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED), engaged in funding and management of national R&D programs for drug development and gene therapy. He has served as a director of Synplogen since April 2022.

[Concurrent positions]
Visiting Professor, Graduate School of Medical Life Science, Yokohama City University
Part-Time Lecturer, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences
Expert Researcher, Center for Science and Technology Foresight and Indicators, National Institute of Science and Technology Policy
Director, Executive Research FellowKenji Tsuge, PhD
Kenji Tsuge graduated from Saitama University, Department of Environmental Chemistry in 1993, and received a doctorate from Tokyo Institute of Technology, Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Science and Engineering in 1998. After a postdoctoral fellow at Mitsubishi Kagaku Institute of Life Sciences, he worked as an assistant professor at Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Keio University. From 2016 to 2020, he served as a project associate professor at Kobe University, Graduate School of Science, Technology and Innovation, and has served as a visiting associate professor since 2020. He invented Synplogen’s core technology, the multiple gene assembly method (OGAB™), and has served as a founding director of Synplogen since February 2017.
Director, Medical Business UnitShunsuke Saito, PhD
Shunsuke Saito graduated with a master degree from Faculty of Advanced Science and Engineering, Waseda University in 2009, and received a doctorate in Science, Technology and Innovation from Kobe University in 2023. His doctoral research focused on quality control, process development, and business strategy for viral vector-based gene therapy. He joined Dainippon Sumitomo Pharma Co., Ltd. (currently Sumitomo Pharma Co., Ltd.) and Sunovion Pharmaceuticals Inc. (its subsidiary in US), and worked on formulation development. He joined Synplogen and served as a manager of business development since April 2020, and then served as an officer, head of medical business development. He has served as a director of Synplogen since April 2023.
Director
(Non-Executive)
Shinichi Tsunoda
Shinichi Tsunoda, based in Tokyo, is responsible for promotion of sustainable related business. He joined the Industrial Bank of Japan (currently Mizuho Bank, Ltd.) and has over 25 years of experience in corporate finance and advisory in Japan, EMEA and ASEAN regions. Previously he spearheaded Asia Office of Industry Research Department in Singapore focusing in corporate advisory for local corporates in ASEAN region covering topics such as cross-border alliance, decarbonization or sustainable supply chain. In 2020, He was appointed as General Manager of Sustainable Business Promotion Office to facilitate sustainable related business in both financial and consulting areas. In 2022, He was appointed as General Manager of Sustainable Business Promotion department of Mizuho Financial Group, Inc. He has served as a director of Synplogen since March 2023. He holds an M.S. management degree from the Stanford Graduate School of Business, and a BEc from Hitotsubashi University.
Director
(Non-Executive)
Tomoyuki Hirose
Tomoyuki Hirose graduated from The University of Tokyo, Faculty of Literature in 1995. He joined Nissho Iwai Corporation (currently Sojitz Corporation). After working as a secretary to the president, general manager of the Agribusiness Department, Food & Agribusiness Division, and president of Sojitz do Brasil S.A, and currently general manager of the Business Innovation Office of Sojitz Corporation. He has served as a director of Synplogen since January 2022.
Director
(Non-Executive)
Kengo Miura
Kengo Miura graduated with a master degree in engineering from Graduate School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology. He joined JAFCO Co., Ltd. (currently JAFCO Group Co., Ltd.) in the same year. where he has worked in the Academic-Corporate Liaison Investment Group as Senior Associate. He has served as a director of Synplogen since December 2021.
Corporate AuditorHitoshi Yamagishi
Hitoshi Yamagishi graduated from French Studies, Faculty of Foreign Languages, Osaka University of Foreign Studies (currently Osaka University) in 1986. He joined the Sumitomo Bank Ltd. (currently Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation) and supported overseas investment by domestic companies and cross-border M&A. After stationed in London and Seattle, he engaged in foreign exchange transactions and handling mutual funds for wealthy class in Japan. In 2008, he joined Shinyei Kaisha, where he worked in corporate planning and as head of the audit department, before becoming president of the company's subsidiary, Grandy Co., Ltd. He later served as head of the auditing department, general manager of the general affairs and credit department, and also as president and representative director of the company's subsidiary, Shinyei Living Industry Co., Ltd. He has served as a corporate auditor of Synplogen since April 2023.
Corporate Auditor (Part-Time)Masako Imada
Masako Imada graduated from Faculty of Law, Kyoto University in 2001. After completing legal training in 2004, she registered with the Osaka Bar Association and joined Midosuji Legal Profession Corporation. After the cancellation of her attorney registration in 2011, she re-registered with the Osaka Bar Association and joined Uda Law Office in 2022. She has served as a corporate auditor of Synplogen since April 2023.
Corporate Auditor (Part-Time)Mizuki Takahara
Mizuki Takahara graduated from Faculty of Law, Doshisha University in 2010 and joined JAFCO Co., Ltd. (currently JAFCO Group Co., Ltd.). After working at the Chubu Branch (currently West Japan Branch), he was appointed Manager of the Kansai Branch in March 2018. Since September 2021, he has been the General manager of the West Japan Branch, and serving as Partner since June 2022. He has served as a corporate auditor of Synplogen since April 2024.

Access

  • Head Office / R&D Center

    CLIK 4F, 6-3-7 Minatojima-Minamimachi,
    Chuo-ku, Kobe 650-0047 Japan

    Access

    Seven stations from Sannomiya by Port Liner
    One station from Kobe Airport by Port Liner
    Two-minute walk from Keisan Kagaku Center Station

  • Access

CONTACT

If you have any questions about our services and technologies,
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