Day: November 10, 2025

TOKYO, Nov 10, 2025 - (JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - The Japan Foundation of Cancer Research (JFCR) and NEC Corporation (NEC; TSE: 6701) have confirmed research results supporting the development of a novel personalized neoantigen cancer vaccine using whole-genome data (*1). Analysis utilizing NEC's proprietary AI technology from breast cancer and soft tissue sarcoma has successfully enabled the prediction of numerous cancer-specific antigens (cryptic antigens, *2) originating from dark genomes—regions of the genome whose function and role remain largely unexplored—in addition to conventional neoantigens (*3). Developing vaccines using these antigens could potentially offer new treatment options for cancers that have been difficult to treat until now.Both organizations will present these findings at the annual meeting of the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC), held in National Harbor, Maryland, USA, from Wednesday, November 5 to Sunday, November 9, 2025.This joint research project will be carried out as part of the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED)’s "Action Plan for Whole-Genome Analysis for Cancer and Rare/Intractable Diseases," within the research initiative on the "Demonstration of the Clinical Utility of Cancer Whole-Genome Analysis and Research on Establishing Systems for Patient Benefit".In recent years, personalized medicine—aiming for more effective and optimal treatments based on each patient's genomic information and gene expression profiles—has garnered significant attention. Among these approaches, immunotherapy using personalized cancer vaccines that target neoantigens specific to each patient's cancer cells is especially promising for practical application due to its potential for high therapeutic efficacy and reduced side effects. In Japan, efforts to promote research and drug discovery utilizing whole-genome analysis data are accelerating, as demonstrated by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare's formulation of the "Action Plan for Whole Genome Analysis 2022" (*4). Against this backdrop, the Cancer Institute and NEC have been collaborating since 2024 on the development of a novel personalized neoantigen cancer vaccine utilizing whole-genome analysis data.The prevalence of neoantigens is known to vary across cancer types. In this study, the Cancer Institute and NEC analyzed whole-genome data from breast cancer and soft tissue sarcoma, which are considered to have relatively low neoantigen emergence rates, utilizing NEC's proprietary AI technology. This study sought to demonstrate that integration of whole genome data allows the identification of relevant immunogenic targets, even in patients with cancer associated with a low number of canonical antigens.The collaborative research successfully predicted the presence of numerous non-canonical antigens, in addition to previously known classes of antigen targets. Developing vaccines utilizing these findings is expected to open new therapeutic approaches for cancer types that have traditionally been considered difficult to treat with personalized neoantigen cancer vaccines."We are delighted to share the findings of our basic research aimed at developing next-generation personalized cancer vaccines. This work was conducted under an AMED research program based on the Action Plan for Whole-Genome Analysis 2022 (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare). By integrating whole-genome data with NEC’s proprietary AI technology, we have revealed the potential presence of diverse cancer-specific antigens, known as cryptic antigens, derived from the dark genome even in cancer types previously considered to have limited neoantigen expression. Moving forward, we will continue to evaluate the immunogenicity of these antigens and advance the development of personalized cancer vaccines to realize the next generation of cancer immunotherapy."Tetsuo Noda, M.D., Ph.D., Advisor, Atsushi Ohtsu, M.D., Ph.D., Research Director, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research"We are pleased to share our research findings on cryptic antigens, developed in collaboration with JFCR. This work, which utilizes whole-genome data and NEC's proprietary AI technology, will be presented at the SITC Annual Meeting as part of a project supported by AMED. Going forward, the NEC Group remains committed to advancing our mission of delivering innovative AI-powered healthcare solutions to patients around the world."Motoo Nishihara, Executive Officer, Corporate EVP and CTO, NECPresentation DetailsAbstract Number: 162Title: A Whole-Genome-Informed Pipeline for Neoantigen Discovery in Solid Tumors: Integrating SNV, Splice Variant, and Exon-Transposon Junction Analysis to Enable Personalized Cancer VaccinesPresenters: Jun MasudaAuthors: Jun Masuda1, Kazuma Kiyotani2, Kazuhide Onoguchi3, Per Brattås4, Hugues Fontenelle4, Angelina Sverchkova4, Sumana Kalyanasundaram4, Pierre Machart5, Yuki Tanaka3, Daiki Miura3, Noboru Nagata3, Koji Yoshino1, Mingyon Mun1, Yasuji Miyakita1, Hiroki Mitani1, Souya Nunobe1, Yu Takahashi1, Hiroyuki Kanao1, Takashi Akiyoshi1, Keisuke Ae1, Kengo Takeuchi1, Junji Yonese1, Masayuki Watanabe1, Seiichi Mori6, Seiya Imoto7, Ippei Fukada1, Shunji Takahashi1, Takayuki Ueno1, Noboru Yamamoto8, Kaïdre Bendjama4, and Shigehisa Kitano1Affiliation: 1) The Cancer Institute Hospital of Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo, Japan. 2) National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition, Osaka, Japan. 3) NEC Corporation, Tokyo, Japan. 4) NEC OncoImmunity AS, Oslo, Norway. 5) NEC Laboratories Europe GmbH, Heidelberg, Germany. 6) Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo, Japan. 7) The Institute of Medical Science, the University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan. 8) National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, Japan.Release Date: November 8, 2025(*1) Genome analysis includes: 1.methods targeting only specific genomic regions called coding regions, and 2.methods targeting both coding and non-coding regions. In this study, whole-genome data analysis (corresponding to 2.) was performed on samples provided by cancer patients.(*2) A type of neoantigen; a cancer antigen originating from non-coding regions of the genome that do not encode proteins.(*3) Refers to "cancer-specific antigens (markers)" newly generated by genetic mutations in cancer cells. Since they are absent in healthy cells and appear only in cancer cells, the immune system can recognize them as foreign substances and target them for attack.(*4) A plan formulated as a national strategy primarily to advance genome analysis in the medical field. Its objectives include developing new diagnostics and treatments for cancers and rare/intractable diseases, as well as promoting the realization of personalized medicine.About Japanese Foundation for Cancer ResearchJapanese Foundation for Cancer Research (JFCR) was founded in 1908 as the first organization in Japan specialized for study and control of cancer. JFCR has been playing a leading role in cancer research and treatment for a long time. We have three research centers and a hospital, which are "Cancer Institute" for basic cancer research, "Cancer Chemotherapy Center" for drug development, "Cancer Precision Medicine Center" (CPM Center) and "Cancer Institute Hospital of JFCR" for development of novel cancer treatments. These centers and a hospital are working together to achieve our common goal which is cancer control.About NECThe NEC Group leverages technology to create social value and promote a more sustainable world where everyone has the chance to reach their full potential. NEC Corporation was established in 1899. Today, the NEC Group's approximately 110,000 employees utilize world-leading AI, security, and communications technologies to solve the most pressing needs of customers and society. For more information, please visit https://www.nec.com, and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. 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TOKYO, Japan, Nov 10, 2025 - (JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - NEC Corporation (NEC; TSE: 6701) is sponsoring the NEC Wheelchair Singles Masters*1 scheduled to be held from November 10 (Monday) to November 16 (Sunday) in the city of Huzhou in China’s Zhejiang Province.This tournament is the year-end singles championship on the UNIQLO Wheelchair Tennis Tour (comprised of more than 160 tournaments) hosted by the International Tennis Federation (ITF*2), bringing together the world’s top-ranked players to engage in elite competition.The partnership between NEC and the ITF has endured over 30 years, beginning when NEC first served as the title sponsor of the Wheelchair Tennis Tour in 1992. NEC has sponsored this tournament since its establishment in 1994, and this year marks the first time the historic tournament has been held in Asia.Through the support of parasports, including this sponsorship and its partnership with wheelchair tennis legend Shingo Kunieda, NEC is contributing to the creation of inclusive and diversified environments where everyone has a chance to reach their full potential.Plans are slated for Japan’s Tokito Oda and Yui Kamiji, the number-one-ranked men’s and women’s singles players in the world, respectively, to compete in the tournament.David Haggerty, ITF President, said: "We are thrilled to bring the Wheelchair Masters to China for the first time, marking an important milestone in our mission to grow the sport globally. As the flagship, season-ending event, the Wheelchair Masters showcase the very best in wheelchair tennis. NEC, as title sponsor since 1994, has been instrumental in supporting wheelchair tennis from the very start, and we are grateful for their long-standing commitment. Taking place at the new, world-class Huzhou International Clay Tennis Center, it’s exciting to see top Chinese players, including Wang Ziying and Li Xiaohui, 2025 Australian Open and Wimbledon women’s doubles champions, competing alongside the world’s leading international athletes. This event is a fantastic opportunity to inspire the next generation of wheelchair players both globally and across Asia, and we encourage everyone to follow the action as it promises to be an incredible week of wheelchair tennis.""NEC is once again delighted to be supporting one of the world’s most prestigious competitions," said Takayuki Morita, President and CEO of NEC Corporation. "This year marks a memorable milestone as the tournament is being held in Asia for the first time, with China serving as its host. Over the past several decades, wheelchair tennis has evolved and grown in popularity, and I take great pride in the fact that NEC has been involved in the development of this sport since its inception. The NEC Group remains committed to pursuing its Purpose*3 and contributing to the creation of inclusive and diversified environments where everyone has a chance to reach their full potential."Overview of the 2025 NEC Wheelchair Singles Masters1. DateNovember 10 – 16, 20252. VenueHuzhou International Clay Tennis Center (Huzhou, Zhejiang, China)3. HostInternational Tennis Federation (ITF)4. SponsorNEC5. PlayersThe world’s top eight ranked men’s, women’s, and quad players (*1) International Tennis Federation (ITF) https://www.itftennis.com/The ITF is the international governing body for tennis, headquartered in the outskirts of London. The ITF Wheelchair Tennis Department, comprised of wheelchair tennis associations from approximately 60 countries worldwide, including Japan, manages and grades wheelchair tennis tournaments, establishes world rankings and prize systems, and carries out activities to promote wheelchair tennis. The ITF wheelchair tennis tournaments are said to be the most systematized events for Para athletes in the world.(*2) NEC Wheelchair Singles MastersThis year-end championship for wheelchair tennis (singles) is held around November every year. The top eight players in the men’s, women’s, and quad categories are eligible to participate and compete for prestigious titles. NEC has supported this event since the first tournament was held in 1994.(*3) The NEC Group’s PurposeNEC creates the social values of safety, security, fairness and efficiency to promote a more sustainable world where everyone has the chance to reach their full potential.To learn more about NEC Wheelchair Tennis Sponsorship, please click on the URL below.https://www.nec.com/en/global/ad/wheelchairtennis/index.htmlAbout NEC CorporationNEC Corporation has established itself as a leader in the integration of IT and network technologies while promoting the brand statement of "Orchestrating a brighter world." NEC enables businesses and communities to adapt to rapid changes taking place in both society and the market as it provides for the social values of safety, security, fairness and efficiency to promote a more sustainable world where everyone has the chance to reach their full potential. For more information, visit NEC at https://www.nec.com. 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PALO ALTO, CA, Nov 10, 2025 - (JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - NEC X, the Silicon Valley venture studio backed by NEC Corporation’s (NEC; TSE: 6701) advanced technologies and global businesses, today announced a strategic investment in Indicio, an innovative startup revolutionizing digital trust by enabling people, organizations, connected devices, and AI agents to control cryptographically verifiable digital identities and share instantly-verifiable data.The investment supports Indicio’s participation in NEC X's Elev X! Boost program, which is designed to fast-track tech development and adoption for promising startups.Indicio’s platform and specialized encryption technology addresses critical vulnerabilities in traditional, centralized identity systems, which are prone to data breaches, privacy violations and forgery. These outdated models require people to repeatedly share sensitive data, increasing risks and creating costly administrative burdens for banks, government operations and enterprises.The self-sovereign identity (SSI) market is projected to reach $47.1 billion by 2029, with 500 million smartphone users expected to adopt decentralized identity wallets by 2026. Recognized by Gartner and Juniper Research firms as a market leader in Decentralized Identity, Indicio enables organizations to meet the growing demand for secure, privacy-preserving digital interactions and decentralized infrastructure."We are honored to join NEC X," said Heather Dahl, CEO of Indicio, "and to see our innovation in digital identity authentication and access management, biometrics, AI, seamless digital travel and border management recognized by such a technology leader as NEC X. We see decentralization and verifiable digital identity as the foundation for building the next era of the internet, and for scaling new digital markets and autonomous digital systems. The ability to instantly authenticate any entity and share trusted data securely and in a privacy-preserving way will be a tremendously powerful ‘algorithm’ that synergizes economic growth, business integration, and consumer trust. It will also be critical to successfully deploying autonomous systems that use AI."Being part of NEC X’s Elev X! program will inform, inspire, and above all, accelerate, our work in making this new, better, simpler and safer digital world a reality."NEC X's Elev X! Boost program provides startups with strategic funding, cutting-edge technology access and business resources to accelerate their growth. Indicio will leverage NEC X’s investment and NEC’s world-class biometric authentication technologies to develop new solutions for applications like trusted AI, streamlined travel and secure access management."Indicio’s vision for a user-controlled internet aligns perfectly with NEC X’s commitment to fostering disruptive technologies that solve fundamental global challenges," said Shintaro Matsumoto, CEO of NEC X. "Their leadership in decentralized identity is creating the foundational layer for a more trusted and secure digital future. We are excited to support their journey as they redefine the standards for digital interaction and data privacy."Indicio is already gaining significant market traction. In a pioneering use case with SITA and the Government of Aruba, the company’s technology enables travelers to enter the country using a secure digital travel credential on their smartphone instead of a physical passport. The company's technical excellence has also been recognized with multiple awards, including the EIC Award 2022 and selection as a finalist in the DHS Digital Design Challenge 2020.Indicio provides the technology and services for enterprises to build and deploy decentralized identity solutions across travel, finance, enterprise applications, education and more. Looking ahead, the company is building the infrastructure for a new era of digital trust, extending verifiable identity to AI agents and connected devices to ensure secure, permissioned data access and interaction.For more information on Indicio, visit https://indicio.tech.About IndicioIndicio provides everything needed to build efficient, powerful, and simple, decentralized solutions for a new era of digital trust. With Indicio Proven, travel, hospitality, financial services, and enterprise customers can integrate portable, authenticated biometric credentials into existing workflows enabling seamless border crossing, rapid, remote KYC, and protection against synthetic identity fraud and deepfakes — without requiring biometric data to be stored.Indicio Proven’s Verifiable Credential technology delivers seamless efficiency and transformative security. Data can be shared and verified without direct integrations. Authentication no longer depends on centralized databases, passwords, or third-party identity providers. Verifiable digital identities can be assigned to connected devices, robots, and AI agents, providing the mutual authentication, permissioned data access, and secure interaction needed for these critical technologies to maximize their potential and benefits. By making trusted data and identity the engine of growth, Indicio delivers secure, interoperable solutions that reduce friction, cut costs, and scale markets. For more info, visit https://indicio.tech/About NEC XNEC X is an innovation powerhouse and curator of disruptive startups backed by the global technology leadership of NEC. Leveraging 125 years of IT and network technologies expertise, NEC X’s startup-focused approach transforms visionary ideas into commercial successes that revolutionize how we work and live. Since its inception in 2018, NEC X has helped launch and grow more than 180 startups.Their Silicon Valley programs – Elev X! Ignite and Elev X! Boost – equip early-stage startup founders with the tools to fast-track their tech development and adoption. Elev X! fuels startup success from inception to launch, connecting innovators with NEC’s 45,000 patents; global network of partners, mentors and advisors; reach into 55+ international markets; and $8 billion R&D ecosystem.For more information, visit https://nec-x.com and https://www.elev-x.com.About NEC CorporationNEC Corporation has established itself as a leader in the integration of IT and network technologies while promoting the brand statement of “Orchestrating a brighter world.” NEC enables businesses and communities to adapt to rapid changes taking place in both society and the market as it provides for the social values of safety, security, fairness and efficiency to promote a more sustainable world where everyone has the chance to reach their full potential. For more information, visit NEC at https://www.nec.com. Copyright 2025 JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com. All rights reserved. www.jcnnewswire.com