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ABOUT US
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Synplogen Co., Ltd. is a synthetic biology startup established in February 2017, originating from Kobe University’s Graduate School of Science, Technology and Innovation. Using our proprietary DNA synthesis technologies OGAB™ and Combinatorial-OGAB™ (Combi-OGAB™), we provide DNA synthesis and DNA library construction services.
As a biofoundry specializing in gene therapy, “Gene Therapy Biofoundry™”, we also provide design, development and analysis services for gene therapy products such as viral vectors and mRNA.
Services
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DNA SYNTHESIS SERVICES
OGAB™ can be used to synthesize DNA of various lengths from a few kb to over 100 kb, as well as complex DNA syntheses with features such as high/low GC content and repeat sequences. We also design and construct large and diverse DNA libraries tailored to our clients’ needs using Combinatorial-OGAB™ (Combi-OGAB™).
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GENE THERAPY BIOFOUNDRY
We provide Gene Therapy Biofoundry™ services related to commercializing research for gene therapy products (Chemistry, Manufacturing and Control: CMC). In addition, through collaborations with domestic and overseas development partner companies capable of GMP-compliant manufacturing, we have established an integrated development and manufacturing value chain that will contribute to early entry into clinical trials and early commercialization of innovative gene therapy products.
Company Overview
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Company
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- Company Name
- Synplogen Co., Ltd.
- Address
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Head Office / R&D Center:
CLIK 4F, 6-3-7 Minatojima-Minamimachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe 650-0047 Japan
- Founded
- February 21, 2017
- Paid-in Capital
- ¥3,847.28 million (Incl. capital reserves)
- Business Domain
- Custom DNA synthesis and Gene Therapy Biofoundry services
- Board of Directors
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- Representative Director, CEOKazuhiko Yamamoto
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Kazuhiko Yamamoto graduated from Hitotsubashi University, Faculty of Commerce and Management, in1988. After working for Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. and Nomura Research Institute, Ltd., he was in charge of finance and management strategy at several companies. In 1998, he founded an independent venture capital firm and took up the position of representative director. As a venture capitalist specializing in the early stage, he engaged in investment and development of startup companies, while also providing consulting services on M&A and financial strategies as a corporate finance expert. In April 2016, he was appointed as a professor at Graduate School of Science, Technology and Innovation, Kobe University and served until December 2024. He has served as a director of Synplogen since September 2018, and appointed as a Representative Director of Synplogen in December 2021.
[Concurrent positions]
Visiting Professor, Graduate School of Science, Technology and Innovation, Kobe University
Visiting Professor, Engineering Biology Research Center, Kobe University
Fellow, UTokyo Center for Applied Capital Markets Research
- Executive Director, CTONaoyuki Yamada, PhD
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Naoyuki Yamada graduated with a master degree from Graduate School of Science, Chiba University in 1990, and received a doctorate in agriculture from The University of Tokyo in 2007. He joined Ajinomoto Co., Inc. in 1990. As a specialist in analytical chemistry, he was engaged in R&D of analytical and structural analysis technologies for biopharmaceuticals, food enzymes, and managed advanced analytical research group and cell culture media development group for six years as an associate general manager. From 2017 to 2022, he served as a manager in the Drug Discovery and Development Division of Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED), where he was engaged in funding and management of national R&D programs for drug development and gene therapy. He has served as a director of Synplogen since April 2022, and has served as an Executive Director of Synplogen since April 2025.
[Concurrent positions]
Visiting Professor, Graduate School of Medical Life Science, Yokohama City University
Part-Time Lecturer, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences
Expert Researcher, Center for Science and Technology Foresight and Indicators, National Institute of Science and Technology Policy
- Director, COOKiyokazu Iwata, MBA, Patent Attorney
- Kiyokazu Iwata graduated with a master degree in engineering from Graduate School of Science and Technology at Kobe University in 2006. He joined Dainippon Sumitomo Pharma Co., Ltd. (currently Sumitomo Pharma Co., Ltd.), and was engaged in research on formulation development and drug delivery systems. From 2017 to 2023, he served as Business Development manager and Director, COO of Bio Palette Co., Ltd., a biotech startup spun out of Kobe University. In 2023, he registered as a patent attorney. For two years from the same year, he served as a General Manager for Biotech Business Development at Sojitz Corporation. He has served as a director of Synplogen since April 2025.
- Director, Executive Research FellowKenji Tsuge, PhD
- Kenji Tsuge graduated from Saitama University, Department of Environmental Chemistry in 1993, and received a doctorate from Tokyo Institute of Technology, Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Science and Engineering in 1998. After a postdoctoral fellow at Mitsubishi Kagaku Institute of Life Sciences, he worked as an assistant professor at Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Keio University. From 2016 to 2020, he served as a project associate professor at Kobe University, Graduate School of Science, Technology and Innovation, and has served as a visiting associate professor since 2020. He invented Synplogen’s core technology, the multiple gene assembly method (OGAB™), and has served as a founding director of Synplogen since February 2017.
- Director, Medical Business UnitShunsuke Saito, PhD
- Shunsuke Saito graduated with a master degree from Faculty of Advanced Science and Engineering, Waseda University in 2009, and received a doctorate in Science, Technology and Innovation from Kobe University in 2023. The theme of his doctoral research was viral vectors for gene therapy. He joined Dainippon Sumitomo Pharma Co., Ltd. (currently Sumitomo Pharma Co., Ltd.) in 2009 and was engaged in formulation development at Formulation R&D Unit and at Sunovion Pharmaceuticals Inc. (a US subsidiary). He joined Synplogen in 2020, and served as a manager of business development, and an officer, head of medical business development. He has served as a director of Synplogen since April 2023.
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Director
(Non-Executive)Takuya Jinushi - Takuya Jinushi graduated from Tokyo University of Science, Faculty of Science and Technology in 2003, and completed a master's program at Tokyo Institute of Technology, Graduate School of Decision Science and Technology in 2005. After joining Mizuho Corporate Bank, Ltd. (now Mizuho Bank, Ltd.), he worked in General Risk Management Department, Americas Sales Department 2 (concurrently at Mizuho Bank (USA)), Americas Business Department, Planning and Management Department at Mizuho Financial Group, and Financial Planning Department, before becoming Deputy General Manager of Sogo Shosha, Realty & Financial Sponsor Industry Department No.1 at Mizuho Bank, Ltd. in 2024 (current position). He has served as a director of Synplogen since October 2024.
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Director
(Non-Executive)Takeshi Monno - Takeshi Monno graduated from Hokkaido University, Faculty of Education in 2022, and joined Nichimen Corporation (currently Sojitz Corporation). After working in Planning & Administration Office of Chemicals Division, he assumed the position of general manager, Business Innovation Office of Sojitz Corporation (current position). He has served as a director of Synplogen since October 2024.
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Director
(Non-Executive)Kengo Miura - Kengo Miura graduated with a master degree in engineering from Graduate School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology. He joined JAFCO Co., Ltd. (currently JAFCO Group Co., Ltd.) in the same year. where he has worked in the Academic-Corporate Liaison Investment Group as Senior Associate. He has served as a director of Synplogen since December 2021.
- Corporate AuditorNaoya Yamaguchi
- Naoya Yamaguchi graduated from Faculty of Letters, Nanzan University in 1987. He worked for several domestic startup companies and an independent venture capital firm. He held positions such as department manager at an investee IT startup company, and Western Japan regional manager at a digital marketing subsidiary of a major advertising agency. From 2021 to 2022, he served as a project professor (seed acceleration manager) at Enterprise Partnership Division of Kobe University. After working as the head of President's Office of Synplogen, he has served as a corporate auditor of Synplogen since April 2025.
- Corporate AuditorMasako Imada
- Masako Imada graduated from Faculty of Law, Kyoto University in 2001. After completing legal training in 2004, she registered with the Osaka Bar Association and joined Midosuji Legal Profession Corporation. After the cancellation of her attorney registration in 2011, she re-registered with the Osaka Bar Association and joined Uda Law Office in 2022. She has served as a corporate auditor of Synplogen since April 2023.
- Corporate AuditorMizuki Takahara
- Mizuki Takahara graduated from Faculty of Law, Doshisha University in 2010 and joined JAFCO Co., Ltd. (currently JAFCO Group Co., Ltd.). After working at the Chubu Branch (currently West Japan Branch), he was appointed Manager of the Kansai Branch in March 2018. Since September 2021, he has been the General manager of the West Japan Branch, and serving as Partner since June 2022. He has served as a corporate auditor of Synplogen since April 2024.
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Access
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Head Office / R&D Center
CLIK 4F, 6-3-7 Minatojima-Minamimachi,
Chuo-ku, Kobe 650-0047 JapanAccess
Seven stations from Sannomiya by Port Liner
One station from Kobe Airport by Port Liner
Two-minute walk from Keisan Kagaku Center Station -
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CONTACT
If you have any questions about our services and technologies,
or if you would like to discuss collaboration, media coverage,
etc., please contact us using the form below.