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News and Information from Toppan America http://www.ta.toppan.com/news/ Thu, 11 Mar 2010 14:31:14 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.2 http://www.ta.toppan.com/downloads/news/Toppan Launches Sale of TopCert.pdf Tue, 23 Feb 2010 18:00:00 +0100 http://www.ta.toppan.com/news/51/ Toppan Printing develops a low-cost, high-precision new technique for gene analysis of cancerous tissue As a unique gene analysis technique, application is possible in a wide range of fields and it is expected to contribute to the realization of personalized medicine Toppan Printing Co., Ltd. has developed a new analysis technique called the "Fluorescent PHFA (Preferentially Homoduplex Formation Assay)" method for the gene analysis of cancerous tissue. As the result of the study with the University of Chicago, it has been shown that this new technique makes it possible to analyze the genotype of cancerous tissue taken from actual patients at low cost and with a high degree of accuracy. With the existing "direct sequence technique" for gene analysis, it is considered difficult to accurately detect genetic mutation of less than 30% in the cancerous tissue extracted. With the Fluorescent PHFA method, which uses precise thermal treatment, it is possible to detect genetic mutation of just 1% with a high level of reproducibility and cost has been reduced due to the fact that it does not use expensive enzyme reagents. This research was announced at the 8th AACR/ JCA joint conference in Hawaii held by the American Association for Cancer Research and the Japan Cancer Association. Background Personalized medicine provides effective treatment and administration of drugs to each individual on a scientific basis with consideration of the genetic background of the patient. With this type of medicine, the quality of life of each patient is improved and it is expected that in Japan it will lead to the reduction of medical costs arising from the side-effects of drugs. In particular, it is now understood that there are differences in how effective medicines are for each individual due not only to individual differences in congenital gene polymorphism but also to acquired gene mutations. Therefore, gene analysis is receiving attention as a method for measuring the effectiveness of medicines for each individual. Research is underway to clarify the relationship between genetic mutation and the effectiveness of medicines for cancers of various organs. If a low cost test for these gene mutations with a high level of reproducibility becomes common in actual medical practice, it will become possible to implement effective treatment matched to the individual's medical condition. In recent years, testing carried out before treatment through molecularly targeted anticancer drugs has received attention as a method for realizing personalized medicine. Molecularly targeted anticancer drugs are a very effective method of treatment with which side affects can be minimized but it has become clear that even with cancer of the same organ, there are cases where it is not effective due to differences in the genetic mutation of the cancerous tissue. Therefore, it will become important to administer highly effective molecularly targeted anticancer drugs after taking a sample of cancerous tissue from the patient and examining the genetic mutation of the cancer through gene analysis. However, with gene analysis of cancerous tissue, it is necessary to detect only the genes of the cancer cells from a sample that also contains normal cells and the level of sensitivity has not been sufficient, with cases of detection not being possible using existing analysis techniques. In addition, the high cost of testing has become an obstacle for widespread use as the gene analysis technique is complicated and the cost of reagents is high. In order to resolve this issue, Toppan Printing has established a new gene analysis technique - the "Fluorescent PHFA" method. Low cost testing will be possible because the new technique uses an extremely simple principle to analyze mutations simply through thermal treatment. In the study with the University of Chicago, it has been confirmed that the accuracy of the Fluorescent PHFA method is higher than that of traditional analysis techniques. Future developments First, Toppan Printing will proceed with development of gene analysis testing kits using the Fluorescent PHFA method for research institutions. This new gene analysis technique is expected to also be applicable to fields other than cancer treatment, and in the future the company will target the commercialization and sale of specialist devices through joint initiatives with organizations such as RIKEN GENESIS CO.,LTD. (*1) a group company that undertakes contract gene analysis business. The device development in this research is supported by NEDO's "Grant for Practical Application of Industrial Technology" from August 2009 to February 2011. Overview of the study with the University of Chicago Using the University of Chicago's Department of Medicine's numerous clinical specimens; verification is being carried out comparing the Fluorescent PHFA method with several existing gene analysis techniques. The mutations of the subject cancer-critical genes investigated from cancerous tissue are EGFR genes (15 types of mutation), KRAS genes (7 types of mutation), NRAS genes (2 types of mutation) and BRAF genes (1 type of mutation), a total of 25 types, and the research has already been successful in identifying all the genetic mutations from 150 samples using Fluorescent PHFA. It is also anticipated that through analyzing the correlation between the medical information that corresponds to the clinical specimens and the mutations, it will be possible to make new and helpful medical discoveries. Overview of "Fluorescent PHFA" Two-strand unlabeled DNA amplified from the sample through fluorescently modified two-strand labeled DNA and PCR is denatured thermally and the respective DNA is made into single-strand form. Then by   gently reducing the temperature, an operation is performed to form the two-strand DNA once again, and by measuring the changes in the intensity of the fluorescence that arise due to the strand displacement that occurs between the labeled DNA and the unlabeled DNA, it is possible to detect differences as small as a cancer-cell-originated single base of a gene existing only in a small amount. Excluding the time for the gene amplification reaction, the time needed for detecting mutation is around 15 minutes, and Toppan Printing believes that in the future it will be possible to reduce this to around 1 minute. For more detailed information on the PHFA response principle, refer to Nucleic Acids Research, 1994, Vol.22, No.9 1541-1547.   (*1) RIKEN GENESIS CO., LTD. With a foundation of the SNP typing technology developed by the RIKEN Center for Genomic Medicine, RIKEN GENESIS was established on October 15, 2007 through joint investment by RIKEN Venture Capital Co. Ltd. (President: Akito Arima) and Toppan Printing. In technical collaboration with RIKEN, the company provides SNP typing analysis services, engages in business for analysis systems and related services, and targets the improvement of each individual's quality of life through the realization of personalized medicine.   Toppan Printing; head office: Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo; President & CEO: Naoki Adachi NOTE: In the United States. For more information, please contact Ron Ens at 732-469-8400 ext. 2505.   Mon, 22 Feb 2010 16:00:00 +0100 http://www.ta.toppan.com/downloads/news/Digital data preserves Cultural Treasure.pdf Thu, 07 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.ta.toppan.com/news/47/ Joint venture manufacturing company established On December 10, 2009 Tomoegawa Co., Ltd. and Toppan Printing Co., Ltd. agreed to the terms of the establishment of a joint venture manufacturing company for display surface treatment film by merging the two companies' production sections. Tomoegawa and Toppan Printing agreed on a Capital and Business Alliance Agreement in April 2009, and have been pursuing a concrete business alliance that will utilize the strengths of both companies in the field of surface treatment films for displays. The two companies came to an agreement after concluding that establishing a joint venture would enhance their competitiveness in the market. Specifically, it is anticipated that the joint venture will result in 1) improved production capacity; 2) enhanced product lines; 3) strengthened sales and marketing forces through the enhancement of the sales network; and 4) improved productivity and efficiency in product development through the fusion of technologies. In addition to responding to customers' various needs through the sales activities of both parties, the new company will contribute to the development of the display film industry by fully utilizing the accumulated technologies and production capacities of the two parent companies. Background to the Alliance As the LCD-TV market grows, the market for display surface treatment film is also growing. As global competition for LCD-TV products intensifies, demands for enhanced functions and lower cost products are rapidly increasing. The display surface treatment film market is no exception. Success in this market requires a carefully devised business strategy for future growth, in addition to increased productivity, and products with enhanced functions and higher performance. Tomoegawa and Toppan Printing have agreed to establish a joint venture to improve competitiveness and ensure further growth of the display surface treatment film business. Overview of the new company -Company name: Toppan TOMOEGAWA Optical Products Co., Ltd. -Representative: President and CEO Kiyoshi Otsuka -Paid-in capital: 400 million yen (Toppan 80%; Tomoegawa 20%) -Business start date: Planned for February 1, 2010 -Location of head office: 1-5-1 Taito, Taito-ku, Tokyo Inquiries: Public Relations Department, Public Relations Division, Toppan Printing Co., Ltd. Tel: 03-3835-5630 Corporate Development Division, Tomoegawa Co., Ltd. Tel: 03-3561-7132 Toppan Printing; head office: Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo; President and CEO: Naoki Adachi Tomoegawa; head office Chuo Ward, Tokyo; President & CEO: Yoshio Inoue Fri, 11 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.ta.toppan.com/downloads/news/IC Tag and Eco Bag Testing.pdf Thu, 03 Dec 2009 18:00:00 +0100 http://www.ta.toppan.com/news/48/ Toppan Demonstrates Electronic Paper Driven by Solution-processed Oxide Semiconductor TFT Toppan Printing Co., Ltd. has successfully driven an electrophoretic type of electronic paper by using a solution-processed oxide semiconductor TFT (Thin Film Transistor) array at a low process temperature. The oxide semiconductor layer was processed using a vacuum-free solution process, while other layers were fabricated using a standard vacuum deposition process. The solution semiconductor material is developed by Creavis Technologies & Innovation, the strategic research and development unit of Evonik Industries AG in Germany. In collaboration with Evonik, the process temperature of the semiconductor has been suppressed at 270 degrees, which is 100 degrees lower than the reported value. This result indicates that, instead oｆ traditional glass materials, a solution processed TFT can be fabricated using flexible plastic films, which enable flexible displays. Moreover, the vacuum-free process will dramatically decrease the equipment and process costs for the TFT array. In order to realize thin, light-weight and flexible displays, Toppan Printing will focus on the research and development of flexible TFTs and innovations in the fabrication process. In collaboration with Casio Computer Ltd., with which Toppan Printing is currently cooperating in the field of displays, Toppan Printing will accelerate the commercialization of flexible displays. Background Recently, flexible displays have attracted a lot of attention as a next generation display. Demand for none-fragile, thin and light-weight flexible displays is growing, especially in the field of electronic paper exemplified by electrophoretic type displays, It is estimated that with the growth of electronic book readers the market for flexible electronic paper will grow to 6 billion dollars in 2017. (Source: Displaybank) In contrast to a-Si or organic semiconductors, oxide semiconductors have the unique features of "low process temperature, large area processability, high mobility, high stability, transparency and applicability for the printing process". Since the first report of the a-InGaZnO TFT by Professor Hosono's (Tokyo Institute of Technology) group in the fall of 2004, the oxide semiconductor has attracted tremendous attention as a promising candidate for a next generation semiconductor material. (Nomura et. al., Nature 432, 488 (2004)) Toppan has been developing oxide TFTs focusing attention on the low process temperature and transparency of the oxide semiconductor. Results of research:  December 2005: Demonstration of flexible electronic paper driven by oxide semiconductor TFT. This was the world's first demonstration of a display driven by an oxide-based semiconductor.  December 2006: Taking advantage of transparency of the oxide semiconductor, Toppan Printing's original display structure "Front Drive Structure" was proposed.  December 2006: Demonstration of flexible electronic paper with 400 ppi resolution. This is the world's highest resolution flexible display. These developments have garnered significant attention. ・The Proto-type presented in this release is fabricated using an innovative vacuum-free, low cost and low temperature process, which will dramatically reduce the equipment and process costs of the TFT. Specifications of the prototype Frontplane: Vizplex Imaging Film supplied by E Ink Size of display: 2 inch diagonal (number of pixels: 80 × 60) Substrate for TFT: Glass Semiconductor material: transparent amorphous oxide semiconductor Special characteristics:　Mobility of TFT fabricated on glass substrate: 0.5cm2/VsOn/off ratio: 10^5　(comparable to conventional a-Si TFT) Fabrication process for TFT: Semiconductor layer: spin-coating, subsequently patterned by photolithography Other layers: conventional vacuum coating process, patterned by photolithography   Toppan Printing; head office: Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo; President & CEO: Naoki Adachi   NOTE: This product is not available in the United States. For more information, please contact Ron Ens at 732-469-8400 ext. 2505. Wed, 02 Dec 2009 20:00:00 +0100 http://www.ta.toppan.com/downloads/news/Wireless digital feed.pdf Sat, 07 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.ta.toppan.com/news/46/ Cooperative Venture in Small and Medium-Size Display Business (OLED and TFT Liquid Crystals) TOKYO, November 6, 2009- Casio Computer Co., Ltd.  and Toppan Printing Co., Ltd.  have agreed to the terms of a cooperative venture in the small and medium-size display business, toward the goal of an early shift to mass production of organic light-emitting diode (OLED) displays, which the two companies have jointly developed. Casio will establish a new company for the small and medium-size display business, and transfer a portion of the new company's shares to Toppan Printing. The new company will add the manufacture and sale of OLED displays to Casio's current line-up of small and medium-size thin-film transistor (TFT) liquid crystal displays (LCDs), in order to strengthen competitiveness in the small and medium-size display business and to foster new growth. 1. Objectives for Establishment of New Company Casio possesses technologies and facilities related to the small and medium-size TFT LCD business, as well as TFT technology to drive OLED. Toppan Printing is a leader in the superfine fabrication technologies based on printing methods that are essential for the manufacture of high-quality OLED displays. The new company will use the technologies of the two parent companies to move toward an early start of mass production of OLED displays that make possible high quality at low cost, and make use of Casio's know-how in the small and medium-size LCD business to develop applications of organic EL displays, with the intention of an early start of sales centering on Casio's existing customers. In addition, in the area of small and medium-size TFT LCDs, the new company will continue the development and sale of high-performance, high-quality products using Casio's Hyper * Amorphous Silicon TFT (HAST) technology. *Casio's own high-resolution, high-aperture ratio LCD technology. 2. Configuration and Overview of the New Company Casio intends to establish a new 100% wholly owned subsidiary by the end of February 2010, and to transfer facilities and personnel involved in Casio's small and medium-size TFT LCD business and OLED development on April 1, 2010 through a spin-off. In addition, all shares in Casio's 100% wholly owned subsidiary Kochi Casio Co., Ltd. (hereafter "Kochi Casio") will be transferred to the new company. Following that, 80% of the shares in the new company will be transferred from Casio to Toppan Printing on the target date of April 1, 2010.     Casio Computer Co., Ltd. President and CEO: Kazuo Kashio Toppan Printing Co., Ltd. President & CEO: Naoki Adachi Fri, 06 Nov 2009 23:00:00 +0100 http://www.ta.toppan.com/news/44/ Tokyo, Oct 6, 2009 (JCN) - Toppan Printing has developed 'Flexible RF Tags' that have both flexibility and excellent resistance to water and high temperatures. The Flexible UHF Tag and a Flexible HF Tag with different frequency bands have been launched since Sept. Toppan Printing has adopted special EPDM rubber used for windscreen wipers for the exterior, sealing material. Using an original antenna design technology, flexibility and durability have been achieved while maintaining the same communication distances as previous RF Tags of the same frequencies. It is envisaged that the Flexible UHF Tag, or strip-type, will be used for attachment to flexible packaging such as flexible container bags used for transporting goods in the logistics sector. The main application of the Flexible HF Tag, or coin-type, is expected to be management of items such as uniforms and linen. NOTE: This product is not available in the United States. For more information, please contact Ron Ens at 732-469-8400 ext. 2505. Sat, 26 Sep 2009 23:00:00 +0100 http://www.ta.toppan.com/downloads/news/Toppan Worlds Largest Print Company 4th year in a row.pdf Tue, 11 Aug 2009 23:00:00 +0100