Message and Background

Message from the Project Director

On April 1st of this year, the National Institute of Infectious Diseases and the National Center for Global Health and Medicine merged to form the Japan Institute for Health Security (JIHS). JIHS’s mission is to contribute to the realization of a safe society through the implementation of surveys and research on infectious diseases and various other diseases, as well as the provision of medical care. To achieve this, it engages in collecting and analyzing infectious disease information, serving as a network hub for activities such as R&D infrastructure and clinical research, advanced medical care that can address all pathological conditions, human resource development and international collaboration.

The Infectious disease Clinical Research netwOrk With National repository (iCROWN) project is positioned as one of the key initiatives that enables JIHS to fulfill its role as a network hub for activities such as R&D infrastructure and clinical research. In collaboration with medical institutions and local governments, the project rapidly collects clinical information and specimens to enable Japanese government to swiftly implement evidence-based countermeasures against newly emerging infectious diseases.

Furthermore, we will utilize the accumulated data to develop a repository to support the R&D of testing methods, therapeutic drugs, vaccines, and more, while also working to establish a stable management system for the repository.

With support from national and local governments, this pioneering initiative will see Designated Medical Institutions for Infectious Diseases and other organizations collaborate and integrate the repository and clinical research functions to promote a wide range of research, from the creation of scientific knowledge to the practical application of pharmaceuticals. While there are many challenges to overcome, we are confident that by gaining the understanding of medical institutions and local governments, we can maximize each party’s strengths and work together to find solutions that will lead to the establishment of a clinical research system for infectious diseases.

The advancement of this project relies on the understanding and cooperation of everyone involved, from patients who provide specimens to clinical research coordinators, clinical laboratory technicians, doctors, nurses, researchers, and other medical institution personnel, as well as the local governments that support said institutions.

We sincerely appreciate your continued understanding and support.

Background and Purpose

During the early stages of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the response in Japan was primarily centered around the Designated Medical Institutions for Infectious Diseases that provided inpatient care for patients with Class I and Class II infectious diseases. However, the facilities where COVID-19 patients were admitted were not necessarily those conducting clinical research, which posed challenges in conducting clinical trials. Furthermore, due to insufficient industry-government-academia collaboration for vaccine and therapeutic drug development during non-crisis periods, the
development of Japanese vaccines and therapeutic drugs took longer than in other countries.

Project Overview

●Establish a network of medical institutions (the Designated Medical Institutions for Infectious Diseases, etc.) capable of cooperatingon R&D for infectious disease drugs.

●Build research infrastructure that can respond quickly in the event of an infectious disease crisis.

●Provide the specimens and clinical information collected in the iCROWN repository to pharmaceutical companies and researcherswho wish to utilize them.

Initiatives