GeneCare Research Institute

GeneCare Research Institute was a Japanese biotechnology company specializing in the study of RecQ helicases and their role in genomic stability, aging, and cancer. The company was founded by Dr. Yasuhiro Furuichi, a renowned scientist who discovered the genes responsible for Werner and Bloom syndromes. GeneCare focused on developing small molecule inhibitors and monoclonal antibodies targeting WRN and BLM helicases for the treatment of various cancers. The institute was a pioneer in exploring synthetic lethality, particularly in tumors that rely on specific helicases for survival. Acquired by Sosei Group in 2004, the company operated as a research subsidiary for a decade before being dissolved in 2014 as part of a strategic restructuring.