Osaka Institute of Technology Establishes "Biomanufacturing Center" at Omiya Campus

Osaka Institute of Technology (President: Susumu Inoue) has established a new "Biomanufacturing Center" at its Omiya Campus this spring, aiming to expand its functions in production verification support and cultivation engineer training for biomaterials (useful substance production). To commemorate the opening of this center, an opening ceremony, commemorative lectures, and facility tours will be held on June 2.

**Key Points:**

* A new "Biomanufacturing Center" equipped with diverse cultivation and separation/purification facilities has been established at the Omiya Campus. * Strengthening its function as a research and demonstration hub that provides integrated support from cultivation to purification. * To commemorate the opening of this center, an opening ceremony, commemorative lectures, and facility tours will be held.

In recent years, against the backdrop of achieving carbon neutrality and transitioning to sustainable manufacturing, global expectations for "biomanufacturing," which creates new materials and products by utilizing the power of microorganisms and cells, are increasing. In Japan, too, there is a demand for the development of human resources and demonstration infrastructure to support R&D and industrialization for the realization of a bioeconomy.

To meet these societal demands, our university participated in the "Development of Bio-derived Product Production Technology to Accelerate Carbon Recycling" project by the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) in 2020 and opened the "Biomanufacturing Lab" in 2021. We have been engaged in research and education to create new materials and technologies for the production of useful substances using microorganisms and cells.

This April 2026, we have expanded the functions of the lab and established the "Biomanufacturing Center," with production verification support and cultivation engineer training as its pillars.

This center will enhance its functions to become a facility capable of integrated support from cultivation to purification, by developing a dedicated building equipped with small-scale to 90L cultivation facilities, in addition to separation and purification equipment. By utilizing diverse cultivation and separation/purification facilities capable of handling small to medium scales, we will not only engage in R&D but also provide production verification and technical support tailored to corporate needs, contributing to the promotion of industry-academia collaboration.

To commemorate the opening of this center, an opening ceremony and commemorative lectures will be held.

Yuichi Yamamoto, Counselor of the Industrial Creation Division, Growth Industry Promotion Office, Department of Commerce, Industry and Labor, Osaka Prefecture, will speak about Osaka Prefecture's carbon neutrality technology support and expectations for biomaterials. Minoru Seki, Project Leader of NEDO's "Development of Bio-derived Product Production Technology to Accelerate Carbon Recycling" project, will speak about NEDO's initiatives in biomaterials. A facility tour is also planned after the lectures.

Through this center, our university will promote research, human resource development, and social implementation in the biomaterials field, contributing to the realization of a sustainable society.

**[Biomanufacturing Center Opening Ceremony]** *For invitees and media only*

1. **Date and Time:** Tuesday, June 2, 2026, 13:30 - 14:30

2. **Location:** Osaka Institute of Technology Omiya Campus, Biomanufacturing Center 3F (5-16-1 Omiya, Asahi-ku, Osaka City)

3. **Attendees:** [JOSHO GAKUEN Educational Foundation Osaka Institute of Technology] Chairman Yasushi Nishimura, President Susumu Inoue, etc. [Kinki Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry] Deputy Director, Regional Economy Department, Masayuki Ohira, etc. [Osaka Prefectural Department of Commerce, Industry and Labor] Director Katsuhiro Higashiguchi, etc. [New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO)] Director Narukazu Hayashi Project Leader, "Development of Bio-derived Product Production Technology to Accelerate Carbon Recycling," Minoru Seki, etc. [Japan Bioindustry Association] Executive Director Tetsuya Tanaka, etc.

4. **Content:** * Greetings Susumu Inoue, President, Osaka Institute of Technology Masayuki Ohira, Deputy Director, Regional Economy Department, Kinki Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry Katsuhiro Higashiguchi, Director, Osaka Prefectural Department of Commerce, Industry and Labor Narukazu Hayashi, Director, New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) Tetsuya Tanaka, Executive Director, Japan Bioindustry Association * Tape Cutting

**[Commemorative Lectures and Facility Tour Outline]** *Open to general public*

1. **Date and Time:** Tuesday, June 2, 2026, 15:00 - 17:00 (Reception starts: 14:30)

2. **Location:** Osaka Institute of Technology Omiya Campus, Building 2, 3F, Classroom 233

3. **Content:** Greetings: Susumu Inoue, President, Osaka Institute of Technology Lectures: ① Eiji Nagamori, Director, Biomanufacturing Center Lecture content: Overview of the Biomanufacturing Center ② Yuichi Yamamoto, Counselor, Industrial Creation Division, Growth Industry Promotion Office, Department of Commerce, Industry and Labor, Osaka Prefecture Lecture content: Osaka Prefecture's carbon neutrality technology support and expectations for biomaterials.