The Genetic engineering research business supports biotechnology research worldwide, from basic research conducted at universities to industrial companies working in fields such as drug-discovery research. Since we began sales of the first domestically produced restriction enzymes in 1979, we have continued to produce research reagents, scientific instruments and contract research services that utilize new genetic engineering technologies.
Research reagents
Experiment
Real-time PCR equipment
Clontech products
Research Reagents and Scientific Instruments
R&D in biotechnology at academic institutions, such as universities, and at private enterprises, such as
pharmaceutical companies, is proceeding in a variety of areas, including functional analysis of genes
and the unraveling of biological phenomena and mechanisms of disease at the molecular level in living
organisms. The role of our Genetic engineering research segment is to support such biotechnology
research activities worldwide.
In 1988, Takara Bio became the first company in Japan to introduce a gene amplification system
using the PCR method, and in 1993, we obtained a license for the PCR method and began producing
and marketing PCR-related products. We continue to develop and globally supply products that meet
market needs in this area, such as PCR enzymes that provide high fidelity along with superior elongation
and reliability as well as reverse transcriptases that provide superior elongation for cloning and gene
expression analysis.
In September 2005, we acquired Clontech Laboratories, Inc. Whereas Takara Biofs strength lies in the
field of genetic engineering, including enzymes for genetic engineering and PCR-related technologies;
Clontech Laboratories is strong in the field of molecular biology, including systems for the functional
analysis of genes using fluorescent proteins. Merging Clontech Laboratoriesf products with our existing
products has already greatly expanded and enhanced our lineup of research reagents.
In 1993, Takara Bio established Takara Biotechnology (Dalian) Co., Ltd., in China, as a manufacturing
base for its research reagents. At present, a large portion of the Groupfs research reagents are manufactured
in China, thereby realizing a high level of cost competitiveness. The manufacture of Clontech
Laboratoriesf products, which was done in the United States at the time of its acquisition, have almost
transferred to China to improve profit margins.
In R&D, the Company focuses on the field of Advanced Cell Biology in addition to genetic engineering
by using the synergistic effect of R&D capabilities between the Company and Clontech. In the Genetic
engineering segment, the Company aims for sales growth by expanding the application of PCR technology
for industrial use. It is also a priority to develop new products related to real-time PCR, whose market
has been growing rapidly. In Advanced Cell Biology, the Company has been developing new products
relating to epigenetics and iPS cells, which are both becoming very active research fields.
The products developed by the Company and Clontech are manufactured by Takara Biotechnology
(Dalian) and marketed not only in Japan but worldwide through our network of Group companies in
Europe, the United States, China and South Korea. Based on this strategy, we aim to build a strong
position in the global marketplace.
High-throughput sequencing equipment
Contract Research Services
Takara Bio operates a contract research services business in which it conducts analysis and performs research for academia and companies on a contracted basis. We began providing genome analysis services in 1994 and, since opening Asiafs largest genome analysis center in 2000, we have received several major genome analysis contracts. The Dragon Genomics Center.the core of our contract research services business.offers comprehensive research services, handling not only genome sequencing analysis but also high-throughput sequencing analysis using next-generation sequencing systems, gene expression analysis using DNA chips, small RNA analysis and protein expression. The Company is also focusing on bioinformatics, which is used to process the extremely large volumes of data obtained through such research activities as high-throughput sequencing analysis, so as to provide high-valueadded services. Furthermore, we are bolstering our lineup of contract services in response to needs in several rapidly advancing research fields. Newly launched services include iPS cell generation and epigenetics analysis. The Company will respond quickly to rapid technical innovation in biotechnology research by offering new services.
