Gene therapy drugs are being approved sequentially in Europe and the U.S.
The core technology behind this is viral vectors.
We have a leading viral vector development capability in Japan.
This is a challenge from Gunma University.
Gene therapy involves introducing therapeutic (foreign) genes into the body via injections or other methods, allowing the genetic information of these genes to be expressed.
"Vector" means "carrier."
Specifically, this process involves removing the parts of a virus’s genome (DNA or RNA carrying genetic information) related to the replication and pathogenicity, and incorporating the desired gene into the available space. The virus's ability to infect the cells is then used to efficiently deliver the foreign gene to the target cells, where it expresses the genetic information needed for treatment.
Overview of the Viral Vector Special Issue
The era of gene therapy is upon us—it is predicted that in the near future, one-third of pharmaceuticals will be replaced by gene therapy drugs. Viral vectors are a key technology in gene therapy. Research on viral vectors has significantly advanced in Europe and the United States, leading to the development and approval of gene therapy drugs that can cure previously untreatable diseases. However, Japan lags behind Europe and the United States due to a lack of basic research. Although the number of members in Japan's gene therapy and cell society is increasing, it is remains around 300, compared to the 6,300 members in a similar society in the United States.
Gunma University's Viral Vector Core (VVC) is the first research institution in Japan specializing in developing world-leading viral vectors and supplying them to other universities and research organizations. The director of the VVC, Professor Hirokazu Hirai from the Graduate School of Medicine, is Japan’s leading expert in advanced viral vector development. Hirai's group supplies over 200 viral vectors annually to other universities and research institutions, significantly contributing to life science and gene therapy research in Japan.
For Japan to regain its footing in gene therapy research, it needs to broaden its research base and accelerate progress. The development of novel viral vectors and the acquisition of patents are prerequisites for pharmaceutical advancement. There is still room for Japan to develop its unique viral vectors and approach gene therapy from a different perspective than Europe and the United States. There is still time to catch up. With its leading capabilities in viral vector development, Gunma University could take the lead in this recovery and advance medical innovation in Japan by supporting the VVC and the research conducted by Professor Hirai.