Rakuten Medical - To conquer cancer.

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Image provided by Rush University Medical Center

Image provided by Rush University Medical Center

The Illuminox™ platform is an investigational platform based on a cancer therapy called photoimmunotherapy, which was developed by Dr. Hisataka Kobayashi and team from the National Cancer Institute in the United States. Rakuten Medical is currently developing the Illuminox™ platform as a technology consisting of an investigational drug, device and other related components.

Letter from Our CEO

Help came too late for my father

Letter from
Our CEO

Help came too late for my father

While my wish to save my father from the debilitating effects of cancer may have no come true, the experience inspired in me the determination to work to discover new ways to save the lives of other cancer patients around the world. That same determination is the lifeforce behind Rakuten Medical.

Our Mission

Our first objective is to create and bring to market drugs and devices to treat cancers based on the Illuminox™ platform. Our purpose is to develop the Illuminox™ platform as an alternative technology in the fight against cancer.

Mission

To conquer cancer.
By building a sustainable healthcare ecosystem that provide patients with access to better cancer treatment, regardless of their nationality or wealth.

Vision

Building a global biotechnology company committed to continued innovation to develop and commercialize pioneering cancer treatments.

Focus

Developing new standard of care cancer treatments based on our Illuminox™ platform.

People
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Innovation
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Action
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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

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