Tokyo, Japan – Rigaku Corporation, a global solution partner in X-ray analytical systems and a group company of Rigaku Holdings Corporation (headquarters: Akishima, Tokyo; CEO: Jun Kawakami; hereinafter “Rigaku”) has launched an initiative in collaboration with Osaka Metropolitan University (hereinafter “OMU”) for the use of BioMAXS/EDT (current product name: MoleQlyze1), an electron density topography (EDT) system. The partnership will bring together scientists from within and outside OMU. Sales of MoleQlyze began in 2025, with OMU receiving the first unit delivered.
OMU is strengthening its capabilities in pharmaceutical research, including the establishment of the Graduate School of Drug Discovery Sciences in April 2026. MoleQlyze, primarily designed for R&D in antibody preparations and other biopharmaceuticals, and is highly compatible with this focus. In addition, OMU has been selected for the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) Program for Forming Japan’s Peak Research Universities (J-PEAKS), and is expected to generate new research outcomes and expand application fields through the use of MoleQlyze.
Against this backdrop, at the third symposium hosted by OMU’s Joint Research Platform Center2 on March 16, 2026, titled “Promoting Joint Use of BioMAXS/EDT,” the establishment of a user working group for EDT systems was announced (launched in April 2026). This working group integrates Rigaku’s EDT technology with OMU’s research environment, with Rigaku participating as a technical partner. The group will share the latest research results and application case studies, while incorporating user feedback into the refinement of MoleQlyze’s hardware and software. It will also serve as a platform for researchers and industry professionals to exchange ideas across disciplines, further advancing the technology and broadening its range of applications.
■ What is EDT?
Electron Density Topography (EDT) is an original Rigaku technology that will accelerate R&D in biopharmaceuticals such as antibody preparations and in drug delivery systems. EDT captures the shape and motion of biomolecules3 in solution directly as an electron density image4, enabling an understanding of biomolecular structures, including their dynamic behavior.
Notes
1 BioMAXS/EDT was the name of MoleQlyze before the official product launch.
2 In April 2026, the Joint Research Platform Center changed its name to the Center for Shared Research Equipment.
3 High polymers such as antibodies, protein complexes and viral particles.
4 Images that visualize the distribution of electrons in a molecule and shapes that provide insights into the chemical characteristics of molecules.
About the Rigaku Group
Since its establishment in 1951, the engineering professionals of the Rigaku group have been dedicated to benefiting society with leading-edge technologies, notably including its core fields of X-ray and thermal analysis. With a market presence in 136 countries and regions and some 2,000 employees from 9 global operations, Rigaku is a solution partner in industry and research analysis institutes. Our overseas sales ratio has reached approximately 70% while sustaining an exceptionally high market share in Japan. Together with our customers, we continue to develop and grow. As applications expand from semiconductors, electronic materials, batteries, environment, resources, energy, life science to other high-tech fields, Rigaku realizes innovations “To Improve Our World by Powering New Perspectives.”
For details, please visit: rigaku-holdings.com/english
Press Contact:
Sawa Himeno
Director, Communications Dept., Rigaku Holdings Corporation
prad@rigaku.co.jp