Rigaku Launches Initiatives to Expand the Application of Electron Density Topography (EDT)
Rigaku Corporation has partnered with Osaka Metropolitan University to establish a shared-use system for its unique EDT system 'MoleQlyze', starting user roundtables in April 2026 to accelerate drug discovery research.
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- 📰 Published: April 10, 2026 at 02:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 10, 2026 at 09:01 (7h 1m after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 20, 2026 at 08:53 (239h 51m after Collected)
Rigaku Corporation (Headquarters: Akishima, Tokyo; President & CEO: Jun Kawakami; hereinafter 'Rigaku'), a group company of Rigaku Holdings and a global solution partner for X-ray analytical instruments, has launched initiatives in collaboration with Osaka Metropolitan University to build a shared-use system for its Electron Density Topography (hereinafter 'EDT') instrument, BioMAXS/EDT (current product name: MoleQlyze)*1, by researchers both inside and outside the university. MoleQlyze will go on sale in 2025, and the first unit has been delivered to the university.
Osaka Metropolitan University is strengthening its drug discovery research, including the establishment of a new Graduate School of Drug Discovery Sciences in April 2026, which has a high affinity with MoleQlyze, whose main target is the research and development of biopharmaceuticals such as antibody drugs. Furthermore, the university has been selected for the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology's 'Program for Forming Japan's Peak Research Universities (J-PEAKS)', and it is expected that the utilization of MoleQlyze will lead to the creation of new research outcomes and the expansion of application areas.
Against this background, at the 3rd Symposium of the Research Facility Center for Science and Technology*4, 'Towards Promoting the Shared Use of BioMAXS/EDT', held on March 16, 2026, the establishment of an EDT system user roundtable was announced (starting in April 2026) with the aim of expanding the use of the EDT instrument. This roundtable is an initiative to integrate Rigaku's EDT technology with the university's research environment, and Rigaku will participate as a technical sponsoring company. In the roundtable, in addition to sharing the latest research results and application examples, user feedback will be reflected in improvements to the instrument and software. Furthermore, as a place where researchers and corporate stakeholders can discuss and interact across disciplines, it will promote the sophistication of the technology and the expansion of its application areas.
■ What is EDT (Electron Density Topography)?
It is Rigaku's unique new technology that accelerates the research and development of biopharmaceuticals, including antibody drugs, and drug delivery systems. It can directly capture the shape and movement of biomacromolecules*2 in solution as electron density images*32, enabling structural understanding including 'molecular movement'.
*1: BioMAXS/EDT is the product name before the official launch of MoleQlyze
*2: Macromolecular compounds including antibodies, protein complexes, and viral particles
*3: An image visualizing the electron distribution in a molecule, a shape related to the chemical properties of the molecule
*4: The Research Facility Center for Science and Technology will be renamed 'Shared Research Equipment Center' from April 2026
[About Rigaku Group]
The Rigaku Group is a group of engineers driving society forward with advanced analytical technologies centered on X-ray analysis, including thermal analysis. Since its founding in 1951 as a solution partner for industrial and research analysis, it has continued to grow together with customers in 136 countries and regions. It boasts an extremely high market share in Japan, and overseas sales account for approximately 70%. Its application fields are expanding daily from semiconductors, electronic materials, batteries, environment, and energy to life sciences. Over 2,000 employees worldwide are working to realize innovation to 'Change the world through the power of sight'.
Osaka Metropolitan University is strengthening its drug discovery research, including the establishment of a new Graduate School of Drug Discovery Sciences in April 2026, which has a high affinity with MoleQlyze, whose main target is the research and development of biopharmaceuticals such as antibody drugs. Furthermore, the university has been selected for the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology's 'Program for Forming Japan's Peak Research Universities (J-PEAKS)', and it is expected that the utilization of MoleQlyze will lead to the creation of new research outcomes and the expansion of application areas.
Against this background, at the 3rd Symposium of the Research Facility Center for Science and Technology*4, 'Towards Promoting the Shared Use of BioMAXS/EDT', held on March 16, 2026, the establishment of an EDT system user roundtable was announced (starting in April 2026) with the aim of expanding the use of the EDT instrument. This roundtable is an initiative to integrate Rigaku's EDT technology with the university's research environment, and Rigaku will participate as a technical sponsoring company. In the roundtable, in addition to sharing the latest research results and application examples, user feedback will be reflected in improvements to the instrument and software. Furthermore, as a place where researchers and corporate stakeholders can discuss and interact across disciplines, it will promote the sophistication of the technology and the expansion of its application areas.
■ What is EDT (Electron Density Topography)?
It is Rigaku's unique new technology that accelerates the research and development of biopharmaceuticals, including antibody drugs, and drug delivery systems. It can directly capture the shape and movement of biomacromolecules*2 in solution as electron density images*32, enabling structural understanding including 'molecular movement'.
*1: BioMAXS/EDT is the product name before the official launch of MoleQlyze
*2: Macromolecular compounds including antibodies, protein complexes, and viral particles
*3: An image visualizing the electron distribution in a molecule, a shape related to the chemical properties of the molecule
*4: The Research Facility Center for Science and Technology will be renamed 'Shared Research Equipment Center' from April 2026
[About Rigaku Group]
The Rigaku Group is a group of engineers driving society forward with advanced analytical technologies centered on X-ray analysis, including thermal analysis. Since its founding in 1951 as a solution partner for industrial and research analysis, it has continued to grow together with customers in 136 countries and regions. It boasts an extremely high market share in Japan, and overseas sales account for approximately 70%. Its application fields are expanding daily from semiconductors, electronic materials, batteries, environment, and energy to life sciences. Over 2,000 employees worldwide are working to realize innovation to 'Change the world through the power of sight'.