Toward the Realization of Genomic Medicine　- Medical Care Suited to Each and Every One of Us

BioBank Japan (BBJ) was established in 2003 at the Institute of Medical Science of the University of Tokyo as a national project supported by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, aiming to realize personalized medicine based on the genetic information of each individual. BBJ collected biological samples and clinical information from as many as 270,000 patients through cooperating medical institutions nationwide from fiscal years 2003 to 2017 and stored them under the strictest security measures. Those samples and information, removed personal information such as the name, address, date of birth, etc., and assigning a new ID number for research are provided by the BBJ to research institutions, companies, and other researchers who aim to realize genomic medicine and develop new diagnostic and therapeutic methods.

1st Phase (fiscal year 2003 to 2007) “Tailor-made Medical Treatment Program”

Aiming to develop an infrastructure for the realization of personalized medicine, blood samples and clinical information from 200,000 patients (300,000 cases) with 47 diseases were collected, Biobank Japan (BBJ) was established, and genetic analysis was conducted.

2nd Phase (fiscal year 2008 to 2012) “Tailor-made Medical Treatment Program”

Stable maintenance and operation of the biobank by collecting samples, clinical information, and prognostic information on registered patients in order to utilize research resources and data established in the 1st phase.

3rd Phase (fiscal year 2013 to 2017) “Tailor-made Medical Treatment Program”

Utilizing the clinical information, DNA/serum, and genome analysis data collected in BBJ till the 2nd phase, analysis and data release were conducted. In addition, clinical information and blood (DNA) of the 2nd cohort of 67,000 patients (100,000 cases) were collected.

4th Phase (fiscal year 2018 to 2022)

Promote the utilization of samples (DNA and serum), clinical information, and genome data of a total of 267,000 patients (440,000 cases) with 51 diseases collected and stored by the third period. Manage and operate as a biobank that is actively utilized by researchers.

5th Phase (fiscal year 2023 to date)

Promote the utilization of DNA and serum samples, along with clinical information and genome data collected and stored by the third period. Develop the bank into a biobank actively utilized by researchers in both industry and academia by fostering collaboration, enhancing the bank’s digitalization, collecting additional clinical information and samples, and advancing the construction of a genome/omics analysis infrastructure