Connecting with Research Institutions

"Research Alliance Laboratory for Advanced Cosmetic Science" with Osaka University

To deliver research results that provide value to consumers and society, Mandom established a collaborative research base within the Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences at Osaka University in June 2015. Over the approximately 10 years since then, we have accumulated a wealth of scientific knowledge leading to the development of next-generation cosmetics, such as elucidating the structure and function of human sweat glands and the mechanisms of skin immune responses.
To further strengthen and develop this ongoing partnership, on April 1, 2026, we established the "Research Alliance Laboratory for Advanced Cosmetic Science" within Osaka University, newly incorporating the Graduate School of Medicine.
At this Research Alliance Laboratory, we will further integrate Osaka University's advanced medical technologies with Mandom's cosmetic technologies to advance research, including elucidating immune responses and temperature sensing mechanisms, as well as developing new active ingredients and safety evaluation methods. Moving forward, by utilizing a broader range of resources, fostering young researchers, and deepening the exchange of diverse human resources, we aim to realize innovation by widely sharing the newly created value with society.

Reference

At this Research Alliance Laboratory, we make full use of cutting-edge technologies in rapidly advancing fields such as regenerative medicine, working toward their application and the creation of next-generation functional cosmetics and quasi-drugs. At the same time, we aim to contribute to the advancement of cosmetic science research and the development of researchers and engineers.

the Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences at Osaka University

Central Laboratory
Experiment in progress
Cultured human skin cells

[Comment]
Professor Satoshi Obika,
Director of Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University
Osaka University, tracing its roots back to Tekijuku and Kaitokudo, has developed with support from citizens. The university upholds the motto, "Live Locally, Grow Globally" and is engaged in not only basic research but also applied research aiming at implementation of research findings in practice. The Laboratory of Advanced Cosmetic Science (Mandom) Joint Research Program was inaugurated as the first joint research program of the Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences and celebrated its 8th anniversary in June 2023. In March 2022, the laboratory was relocated to the newly built Pharmaceutical Sciences Building 4（currently named the MA-T Co-Creation Center）and made a fresh start as a center for open innovation. The program aims to create new value and a new future to give the findings of basic science back to and contribute to the well-being of society.

Efforts to Expand Our Global Network of Technology in Asia

As part of our efforts to expand our global technological network in Asia, Mandom actively supports the invitation of young faculty members from Asian universities to the Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences at Osaka University.
We believe that this initiative to expand our global technological network in Asia, based at this Research Alliance Laboratory, will lead to the following value creation in the future.

Value creation expected in the future

  • Innovation by bringing together knowledge of outstanding Asian researchers
  • Research and development through joint research with Asian universities

Previous track record

[FY2025]

  • Accepted: 2 person
  • Applicable university:Airlangga University (Indonesia), Mae Fah Luang University (Thailand)

[FY2024]

  • Accepted: 2 person
  • Applicable university:University of Indonesia, Bandung Institute of Technology of Indonesia

[FY2023]

  • Accepted: 1 person
  • Applicable university: Gadjah Mada University

[FY2022]

  • Accepted: 2 person
  • Applicable university:Gadjah Mada University, Airlangga University

[FY2016～FY2019]

  • Accepted: 5 person
  • Applicable university: Bandung Institute of Technology of Indonesia, Airlangga University
*

*FY2020, FY2021: No acceptance due to the COVID-19 pandemic

Osaka University is collaborating with universities all over the world. For example, in September 2014, the university was selected as Type A (Top Type) of the Top Global University Project of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT). Please see the website below for information on efforts being made as part of Osaka University's concept for the Top Global University Project, World Tekijuku.

Reference

Concluded Agreement on a Cross-appointment System

In August 2018, Osaka University and Mandom concluded an agreement on a cross-appointment system with the aim of further promoting continued and multi-faceted cooperation with a focus on co-creation between the university and the company. Under this agreement, a female Mandom employee holds a concurrent position at the Graduate School and School of Pharmaceutical Sciences at Osaka University as a Specially Appointed Assistant Professor (full-time). At the Research Alliance Laboratory for Advanced Cosmetic Science, she is engaged in international joint research with overseas faculties, and using the results to guide students in their own studies.

For details, please see the news release below.
On March 1, 2020, Osaka University and Mandom concluded the second agreement on a cross-appointment system. Under this agreement, a female Mandom employee holds a concurrent position at the Graduate School and School of Pharmaceutical Sciences at Osaka University and is conducting research into replacing laboratory animal testing with alternative safety test methods.For details, please see the news release below.

Reference

Held a Seminar Aimed at Promoting Industry-Academia Collaboration

Aiming to promote open innovation through tie-ups between industry and academia, and as a way of introducing the efforts of the Research Alliance Laboratory for Advanced Cosmetic Science, Mandom helps to hold seminars.

Past Event

March 29, 2026: The 146th Annual Meeting of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan

Presentation Primary Cilia that Regulate Skin Immunity: A New Role Revealed through Atopic Dermatitis Research
Speaker Akimichi Morita
(Professor, Department of Geriatric and Environmental Dermatology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya City University)

December 14, 2023: The 44th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Japanese Society of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics

Presentation Present and Future of Research on Temperature-Sensitive TRP Channels
Speaker Makoto Tominaga
(Professor, Exploratory Research Center on Life and Living Systems, National Institutes of Natural Sciences)

December 15, 2023: The 44th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Japanese Society of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics

Presentation From the Mechanism of Skin Immunity Connecting Vaccines and Cosmetics to Hot Spring Immunology Research
Speaker Ken Ishii
(Professor, International Vaccine Design Center, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo)

November 24, 2022
54th Osaka University Open Lecture 2022

Presentation Cosmetics Developed by a University in Osaka, a City of Uniqueness and Diversity
Speaker Fumitaka Fujita
Invited professor, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University; Manager, Fundamental Research Institute, Mandom Corporation

August 21, 2021
30th Meeting of The Society of Ambulatory and General Pediatrics of Japan

Theme New development of immune-dermatology and immune boosting balneotherapy based on vaccine/adjuvant research
Chair person Fumitaka Fujita
Invited professor, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University; Manager, Fundamental Research Institute, Mandom Corporation

Presentation 1 New development of immune-dermatology and immune boosting balneotherapy based on vaccine/adjuvant research
Speaker Ken Ishii
Professor, Division of Vaccine Science, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo Mockup Vaccine Project, National Institute of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition​

Presentation 2 Temperature-sensitive cell sensor TRPM4: Function of the dermatologic system in immune reaction and new hot spring-derived activating agent
Speaker Kaori Saito
Specially Appointed Assistant Professor, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University; Fundamental Research Institute, Mandom Corporation

October 12,2019
The 46th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Association of Neuroscience Nurses

Theme A new approach for improvement of "a tired look" on faces in the evening ⁓A new theory, calld sensor science theory
Chair person Fumitaka Fujita
Osaka University, Graduate school of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guest Associate Professor/ Mandom corp., Fundamental Research Institute, Group leader

Presentation 1 Factors which affect "a tired look"on faces of women
Speaker Ayumi Yamaguchi
Mandom corp., Fundamental Research Institute, Group leader

Presentation 2 Development of the new immune controlling technology activating TRPM4, a sensor of skin sensation
Speaker Kaori Saito
Osaka University, Graduate school of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Specially Appointed Assistant Professor/ Mandom corp., Fundamental Research Institute, Supervisor

March 16,2019
The 92nd Annual Meeting of The Japanese Pharmacological Society

Theme Life science in Cosmetics and Open innovation through Industry-Academia collaboration
Chair person Yasushi Fujio
Professor, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University

Presentation 1 Challenge for Advanced Cosmetic Science
Speaker Fumihiro Okada
Guest Professor, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University General Manager, Fundamental Research Institute, Mandom Corporation.​

Presentation 2 New Strategy to break through limit of transdermal drug delivery
Speaker Yoshihiro Tokudome
Professor, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Josai University

Participation in the Program on Open Innovation Platform with Enterprises, Research Institutes and Academia (OPERA)

As part of our open innovation activities, we are participating in the "Program on Open Innovation Platform with Enterprises, Research Institute and Academia (OPERA)" promoted by the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), and are working with industry-academia partners to promote basic chemistry that will become the basis for a wide range of applications of chlorine dioxide generated on demand (MA-T or Matching Transformation System).

Research Results in the Research Alliance Laboratory for Advanced Cosmetic Science

Research is being conducted every day to create innovative cosmetics in the Research Alliance Laboratory for Advanced Cosmetic Science.
We report on these research results when appropriate through news releases and other media.

Related release