News | Press Releases

September 20, 2016

Framework Agreement for Business-Academia Collaboration Concluded Between National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center and Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation

Otawara, Tochigi, Japan, September 20, 2016 - The National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center (NCVC; location: Suita, Osaka, Japan; Director General: Dr. Hisao Ogawa) and Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation (Toshiba Medical; headquarters: Otawara, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan; President: Toshio Takiguchi) have concluded a framework agreement today for business-academia collaboration in order to develop medical and healthcare equipment, systems, services, etc. for introduction into actual clinical settings.

NCVC is addressing the world's top-level healthcare and research activities in the cardiovascular field based on the following objectives: "As a national center for advanced and specialized medical care and research, we strive to understand and control cerebral and cardiovascular diseases". The hospital will move to a new building, scheduled for completion in 2018, on the site of a former railway switchyard in Suita. The new facility will serve as a center for implementing open innovation in order to develop cutting-edge medical practice and medical technologies within a framework of cooperation between industry, academia, and government.
Contributing to healthcare under its management philosophy "Made for Life™", Toshiba Medical develops and manufactures diagnostic imaging systems including CT, MRI, ultrasound, and angiography systems, and markets them worldwide, offering technology that provides faster diagnosis and early treatment in order to protect life and health.

NCVC and Toshiba Medical have conducted joint research on individual issues and developed cutting-edge medical equipment and clinical applications which are useful for the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular diseases. We have decided to conclude a framework agreement for business-academia collaboration, based on the idea that development and reinforcement will be accelerated both for NCVC and Toshiba Medical through interactive communication and utilization of the human, intellectual, and material resources of the two parties.
The prevalence of cardiovascular diseases such as cardiac disease, hypertension, and cerebrovascular disease is increasing in Japan, one of the first countries in the world to become a super-aged society. NCVC and Toshiba Medical will contribute to healthcare and social welfare around the world through collaborative efforts to conduct research, foster human resources, and strengthen regional liaison, etc. with regard to healthcare and the promotion of health, and together will promote collaboration with the aim of extending healthy life expectancy.