Advent of a “Convenience Store for Researchers” Associated with the Open Innovation Support Program
MITSUI LINK-Lab LINK Stock Opens on Monday, January 29, 2024
Enabling purchase of research consumables and reagents from one item at a time within MITSUI LINK-Lab SHINKIBA 2

January 29, 2024
Mitsui Fudosan Co., Ltd.
Life Science Innovation Network Japan Inc. (LINK-J)

Tokyo, Japan, January 29, 2024 – Mitsui Fudosan Co., Ltd., a leading global real estate company headquartered in Tokyo, has announced the opening of MITSUI LINK-Lab LINK Stock within the MITSUI LINK-Lab SHINKIBA 2 rental lab and office facility. MITSUI LINK-Lab LINK Stock (hereinafter “LINK Stock”) is a store that makes it possible to purchase consumables, equipment and reagents for research use in the life science domain from one item at a time.

Having been established for the first time with respect to the Mitsui Lab & Office series, LINK Stock is part of the Open Innovation Support Program*1, which involves providing solutions that address various challenges encountered by laboratory tenants. LINK Stock enables tenants to make purchases of consumables, equipment and reagents for research from one item at a time within MITSUI LINK-Lab SHINKIBA 2, thereby addressing challenges such as those that involve procuring precise amounts of research consumables and reagents needed when necessary and those that involve situations where it is not possible to make purchases in real time*2.

Going forward, Mitsui Fudosan will keep contributing to the creation of innovation in life sciences by facilitating the development of spaces that are readily accessible to various researchers and by building communities through collaboration with Life Science Innovation Network Japan Inc. (chairperson: Hideyuki Okano; LINK-J).

■Distinctive characteristics of the LINK Stock “convenience store for researchers”

1. Sales of research consumables and reagents from one item at a time within MITSUI LINK-Lab SHINKIBA 2
   The store enables LINK-Lab series tenants to procure precise amounts of research consumables and reagents needed when necessary*2.
2. Research equipment rental services
   The research equipment rental services make it possible to rent high-priced research equipment needed in the life science domain by the hour
3. Experiment support services
   The experiment support services encompass a variety of available services including a staff consultation corner and experiment equipment calibration services.

LINK Stock interior

• 1. Please refer to the attached materials for more information on the Open Innovation Support Program.
• 2. A MITSUI LINK-Lab tenant ID and contract with the LINK Stock management company are required to make purchases.

1. Sales of consumables and reagents from one item at a time within MITSUI LINK-Lab SHINKIBA 2

MITSUI LINK-Lab tenants and LINK-J members previously furnished their feedback on research consumable and reagent procurement. Some accordingly voiced the notion that they found the services inconvenient when seeking to use an item right away given that items would arrive the day after placing an order at the earliest. Those providing feedback also stated that they would like to purchase no more than the amounts of research consumables and reagents necessary. As such, the recent establishment of the LINK Stock store within the MITSUI LINK-Lab SHINKIBA 2 facility enables tenants to immediately procure necessary amounts of research consumables and reagents when needed, thereby better enabling them to focus on their daily research efforts. (LINK Stock staff members are qualified to handle toxic and deleterious substances.)

Consumables and equipment (examples)

Reagents (examples)

PCR-related products, gene transfer reagents, basal medium, cell culture related products, fluorescent staining reagents, etc.

2. Research equipment rental services

The research equipment rental services enable hourly rental of high-priced research equipment and supplies such as tabletop scanning electron microscopes (SEM), which are in high demand for their use in the life science domain. These services will create an environment where a diverse range players in the life sciences sector will be able to take on challenges, irrespective of enterprise size.

3. Experiment support services

In addition to product purchases and rentals, the experiment support services also involve providing a full range of services tailored to the diverse needs of tenants. This includes a staff consultation area, experiment equipment calibration services, provision of the latest manufacturer information, and experiment sample delivery services (planned).

• Consultation corner　
  
  The consultation corner receives and responds to defective and faulty equipment, and proposes alternative equipment. (* Actual repairs are not carried out within LINK Stock.)
• Calibration services
  Consultation is available regarding calibrated equipment sales and recalibration. These services also entail handling the onerous task of packaging and shipping equipment in need of calibration that has been brought to the store.
• Provision of the latest manufacturer information　
  A section of the store’s display area features samples, in addition to showcasing new products and posting information from respective manufacturers on a monthly basis (planned).

Overview of the MITSUI LINK-Lab LINK Stock store

Exterior view of MITSUI LINK-Lab LINK Stock

MITSUI LINK-Lab SHINKIBA 2

Exterior view of MITSUI LINK-Lab SHINKIBA 2

■Life Science Innovation Network Japan Inc. (LINK-J)

LINK-J is a general incorporated association established primarily by Mitsui Fudosan and academia-industry volunteers. Based in Tokyo’s Nihonbashi area, which serves as a hub for pharmaceutical-related enterprises, LINK-J aims to facilitate creation of new industries by promoting open innovation in the life sciences realm through industry-government-academia cooperation. Link-J promotes interdisciplinary exchanges of people and technologies in the complex field of life sciences, which spans various scientific disciplines including medical science as well as physics and engineering, along with new technologies such as information and communications technology (ICT) and artificial intelligence (AI).

■Mitsui Fudosan Group’s Initiatives for SDGs

https://www.mitsuifudosan.co.jp/english/esg_csr/
The Mitsui Fudosan Group aims for a society that enriches both people and the planet under the principles of coexist in harmony with society, link diverse values and achieve a sustainable society, and advances business with an awareness of the environment (E), society (S) and governance (G), thus promoting ESG management. By further accelerating its ESG management, the Group will realize Society 5.0, which the Japanese government has been advocating, and contribute significantly to achieving the SDGs. Additionally, the Group formulated the following Group guidelines related to “Realize a Decarbonized Society” and “Diversity & Inclusion Promotion” in November 2021, and “Biodiversity” in March 2023. The Mitsui Fudosan Group will continue to work toward solving social issues through neighborhood creation.

[ References ]
・Group Action Plan to Realize a Decarbonized Society
https://www.mitsuifudosan.co.jp/english/corporate/news/2021/1124/
・Formulated Diversity and Inclusion Promotion Declaration and Initiatives Policy
https://www.mitsuifudosan.co.jp/english/corporate/news/2021/1129_02/
・Mitsui Fudosan Group Biodiversity Policy
https://www.mitsuifudosan.co.jp/english/corporate/news/2023/0413/

* The initiatives covered in this press release are contributing to three of the UN’s SDGs..