As the largest science research institute in Japan, Riken has an important role in promoting innovation. LSIPR talked to Akihiro Fujita, director of the institute’s research cluster for innovation, about the place of intellectual property in that endeavour.
Founded in 1917 Riken, an abbreviation of Rikagaku Kenkyūjo (in English, the Institute of Physical and Chemical Research), is one of the largest scientific research institutions in Asia, with around 3,000 scientists working across Japan on research into everything from radioactivity to genomics. It is an independent administrative institution under the jurisdiction of Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Sciences and Technology, and most of its funding comes from the Japanese government.
As part of its status, Riken is exempt from corporation and income tax, though tax is payable on profit-making operations. On the intellectual property side, Riken enjoys half price examination and renewal fees at the Japan Patent Office (JPO); these reductions must be requested every time the institution applies for a patent.
Akihiro Fujita is the director of the institute’s research cluster for innovation. The cluster has among its responsibilities the transfer of Riken’s scientific achievements into commercial projects in partnership with the private sector. “In traversing the long road between Riken’s basic research and the development into commercial applications, development and funding by private industry is essential,” he says.
Life Sciences Intellectual Property Review (LSIPR) tracks the increasing challenges for intellectual property specialists in the rapidly evolving world of life sciences. From gene patents to stem cell research, we provide the very best news and analysis.
To continue reading this article and to access 4,500+ articles, our digital magazines and special reports published for LSIPR subscribers only then you will need a subscription.
If you are already subscribed please login.
Official LSIPR subscribers include:
Allen & Overy
Arnold & Siedsma
Birch, Stewart, Kolasch & Birch LLP (BSKB)
Carpmaels & Ransford
Cooley
European Patent Office
Finnegan LLP
GH Research
Gowling WLG
George Washington Law School
HGF Limited
IQVIA
Kirkland & Ellis International LLP
Marks & Clerk
Mintz Levin
NiKang Therapeutics Inc.
Powell Gilbert LLP
Procopio, Cory, Hargreaves & Savitch LLP
Taylor Wessing
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)
Valea AB
World Intellectual Property Office
For multi-user price options, or to check if your company has an existing subscription we can add you into for FREE, please contact Atif at achoudhury@newtonmedia.co.
If you have any technical issues please email tech support.
Riken, research focus, JPO, Karigreen, Vaam