Okayama University Launches New Research Group for Rare Cancer Treatments

On November 27, 2025, Okayama University held an inauguration ceremony for its Next-Generation Research Group focused on developing innovative treatments for hard-to-treat and rare cancers. This event took place at the Tsushima Campus and gathered numerous media representatives, signaling the institution's commitment to becoming a leading research university in the global landscape.

Under the framework of the “J-PEAKS” initiative, which aims to bolster unique and core research in the region, the university established the Okayama University Advanced Excellence Research Institute. This system is structured in layers, with the Advanced Excellence Research Institute being the primary layer and the Next-Generation Research Institute, formerly known as the Global Cutting-edge Interdisciplinary Research Organization (G Research), positioned as the secondary layer. The goal is to promote research excellence and innovation through a robust research infrastructure.

The Next-Generation Research Group will be spearheaded by Professor Masato Tanaka from the Department of Neurosurgery within the Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, alongside Associate Professor Kazumi Sagayama as the project manager from the Research and Innovation Co-Creation Organization. The collaboration involves cross-functional teams from Okayama University Hospital, integrating various clinical and basic medicine disciplines to develop therapeutic products.

During the inauguration ceremony, certificates of recognition were awarded to both Professor Tanaka and Associate Professor Sagayama by Saito Kunihito, the Vice President and Director of the Institute. The event underscored the high-level collaborative spirit that Okayama University fosters within its research community.

Vice President Saito emphasized the university's dedication to nurturing its strong research domains while simultaneously enhancing the skill sets of its human resources, upgrading facilities and research equipment, and ensuring a steady implementation of societal applications. “Our university will invest resources intensively in these endeavors. To accelerate the growth of the Next-Generation Research Group, we will pair them with experienced and accomplished project managers,” he stated. This forward-thinking strategy not only aims to advance the capabilities of Okayama University but also contributes significantly to strengthening Japan's research power and fostering innovation at a broader level.

Saito's comments reflect the institution's commitment to societal engagement and constant evolution as a research university. The ongoing initiatives are integral to their intention of placing research excellence and innovation at the core of their mission while continuing to adapt and evolve.

In addition, the activation of the new research group underscores an ongoing transformation at Okayama University to become a pivotal player not only in local communities but also on the international stage.

Lastly, this undertaking highlights Okayama University’s aspiration to lead in addressing significant health challenges through collaborative, interdisciplinary research efforts, ensuring a sustainable future for healthcare innovations. We encourage everyone to anticipate the contributions from Okayama University’s Next-Generation Research Institute, featuring Professor Tanaka and the invaluable work of the new research group dedicated to tackling challenges in the realm of rare and difficult-to-treat cancers.

The inauguration ceremony marks a significant step forward in the university's mission as a core institution for research and innovation, and serves to further elevate its status as an influential research entity in the field of healthcare and beyond.