#Japan #Kyoto #Kyoto University #Gakken Holdings #Gerok

Gakken Holdings and Kyoto University Collaborate on Gerok

In a significant move aimed at addressing aging-related health issues, Gakken Holdings has collaborated with Kyoto University to establish a new venture named Gerok, officially launched on October 1. This initiative signifies a concerted effort to translate research成果 into practical solutions, particularly in the realm of aging diseases. The new company strives to promote a sustainable society where everyone can enjoy a long and healthy life through alliances with corporate and research entities.

The Background of Collaborative Research and Commercialization

Japan is facing a rapid aging population trajectory, leading to increased burdens on medical care, welfare, and societal support systems. The rise of aging-related diseases, such as dementia and lifestyle-related conditions, poses urgent challenges not only to individuals but also to families and society as a whole. Addressing prevention and treatment for these illnesses is a pressing priority.

In response to these challenges, Gakken Group has identified "wellness services" as a key strategic area within its mid-term management plan, Gakken 2025. This plan emphasizes proactive approaches to extend healthy life expectancy.

Since its inception in 1999, Gakken's subsidiary, Medical Care Service Company (MCS), has focused on dementia care, operating over 370 facilities across Japan that specialize in care for individuals with dementia. Following its integration into the Gakken Group in 2018, MCS has intensified collaborations with medical and academic institutions to research early detection, prevention, and management of dementia.

Collaborative discussions with Professor Yoichi Nabeshima of Kyoto University, a leading figure in aging research, resulted in the commencement of joint research targeting dementia prevention and treatment, set to kick off on October 1, 2024. The goal is to apply the technological foundations of this research to various aging-related diseases. To facilitate this, a new course titled "Healthy Aging Medicine" was established at the Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, as a sponsored lecture series on April 1, 2025. This initiative is aimed at strengthening research frameworks.

Objectives of the Healthy Aging Medicine Course

The course aims to achieve the following objectives:
1. Investigating the molecular mechanisms of aging and the pathophysiology of aging-related diseases.
2. Developing a large-scale evaluation system for cognitive functions using AI technology.
3. Innovating materials supporting anti-aging and healthy longevity.

The course will analyze how nutrition, environment, time progression, and epigenomic status throughout life impact aging speed, disease onset, and the underlying mechanisms of aging. The ultimate goal is to develop new anti-aging methodologies.

Gerok's Business Strategy

1. Drug Development: Gerok will focus on understanding the functionality of the anti-aging gene α-Klotho and develop low molecular compounds that activate this gene. The aim is to create next-generation pharmaceuticals targeting unmet medical needs associated with aging and rare diseases, promoting both delay and treatment of aging symptoms.
2. Healthcare Products Development: Insights gained from drug discovery will drive the development of healthcare products, prioritizing quality and safety with a target rollout by the 2027 fiscal year. Adherence to related laws and collaborations in the field of free medical care will facilitate rapid social implementation of research achievements.
3. Long-term Vision: Gerok plans to advance research and development targeting aging-related diseases, particularly in the domain of dementia, from prevention to treatment, with an eye on social implementation by 2030. Profits from leading healthcare ventures will be reinvested into research and development to foster a sustainable cycle of growth and enhance societal impact in the expanding global health longevity market.

Note: These efforts are in the research and development phase, and details and timelines may change following evaluations and procedural requirements.

Company Overview

• - Name: Gerok Inc.
• - Location: Yoshida-don, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto City, 46-29, 309 Kyoto University Innovation Hub, Japan
• - CEO: Yoshio Yamamoto
• - Founded: August 1, 2025

Comments from Key Figures

Yoshio Yamamoto, Corporate Executive and CEO of Medical Care Service Company: "Since our establishment in 1999, MCS has played a pivotal role in dementia care, addressing a global challenge as the number of individuals with dementia continues to rise. We are committed to offering new strategies through our collaboration with Professor Nabeshima at Kyoto University to enhance options for prevention and improvement of dementia."

Professor Yoichi Nabeshima, Special Appointed Professor at Kyoto University’s Graduate School of Medicine: "Japan stands at a crossroads, facing the challenges of rapid aging and increased healthcare costs. Our mission must include promoting healthy, productive aging through scientifically-grounded solutions. Joining forces with Gakken Holdings and MCS will support the swift implementation of our research results into society, bringing us closer to achieving productive aging for all."

About Gakken Holdings

- Website: Gakken Holdings
- Founded: March 31, 1947
- Capital: 19,817 million yen
- Revenue: 185.5 billion yen (2024)
- TSE Listed Code: 9470
- Headquarters: 2-11-8 Nishi Gotanda, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, Japan

About Medical Care Service Company

- Website: MCS
- Founded: November 24, 1999
- Headquarters: 29th Floor, Land Axis Tower, 11-2 Shintoshin, Chuo-ku, Saitama City, Japan
- Revenue: 39.6 billion yen (2024)
- Facilities: 372 locations in Japan, 16 establishments in China