Technology - Rakuten Medical

Photoimmunotherapy (PIT) is an investigational, precision-based cancer-treatment platform, currently under development by Rakuten Medical. It is comprised of a drug and device combination that utilizes monoclonal antibodies conjugated to a dye (IRDye® 700DX). Illumination of the tumor with non-thermal red light (690 nm) is believed to result in anti-cancer activity, which is mediated by biophysical processes that may compromise the membrane integrity of cells. The targeted binding of antibody-IR700 conjugate to a specific antigen and subsequent illumination is believed to result in rapid and selective cell killing and tumor necrosis with minimal effects on surrounding normal tissue. PIT may also lead to the systemic induction of innate and adaptive immunity.

People

We are proud to be part of Rakuten Medical
We are passionate and committed to achieve our mission to Conquer Cancer
We feel ownership of our common success
We are accountable to each other and the team
We yearn to improve, to learn, to grow
We respect and trust each other
We communicate proactively with an open mind across the Company, and welcome difference of opinions
We earnestly support the success of others and the team
We are not scared to change the status quo
We are bold to explore new transformative ideas but with the pragmatism to translate these ideas into products of value
We feel the urgency to execute and deliver outcomes
We identify needs and take initiative: there is nothing too big, nothing too small
We persist, no matter the challenge, no matter the hardship

Innovation

We are not scared to change the status quo
We are bold to explore new transformative ideas but with the pragmatism to translate these ideas into products of value

Action

We feel the urgency to execute and deliver outcomes
We identify needs and take initiative: there is nothing too big, nothing too small
We persist, no matter the challenge, no matter the hardship

A Note from Our Chairman

In 2012, my father was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. I was ready to do anything for him to be cured. With that sole purpose, I read many scientific papers from all over the world, and I met and talked with numerous experts in the field. How could I cure my father’s cancer? I searched every single possibility available.

That is when I found out about photoimmunotherapy that was only at an early stage of research. Although I had many doubts about this completely new approach, desperate for a miracle, I immediately went to meet the researcher.

Everyone was still doubtful at that stage. But the more I heard about this research, the more it made sense.

I instinctively thought, “This is it.” It was the same feeling I got as when I grasped that the internet would change the world forever. Somehow, wishing to save my father, I immediately made up my mind to support the research personally to speed it up.

Unfortunately, we didn’t make it in time to save my father. But I decided to continue my support. My father who was as an economist always said, “One important mission of corporations is to contribute to humanity.”

Left behind, I resolved to provide this latest treatment to as many people as possible. It will surely be a path fraught with difficulties. But right at this moment there are many who are suffering from cancer, many who wish to save the lives of their loved ones, and I know exactly how they feel.

To provide this treatment as soon as possible, to bring this treatment to as many people as possible, I will not fail to support this research from now on.

Chairman, Rakuten Medical, Inc.

Hiroshi Mikitani