The establishment of the 22nd Century Medical and Research Center was initiated when the construction of Central Clinical Service Building 2 of the University of Tokyo Hospital was planned. In addition to the original plan for Central Clinical Service Building 2, two more floors dedicated to the 22nd Century Medical and Research Center were added. The Center seeks external sponsors to fund projects that are consistent with its objective of fostering research and development on new clinical medicine and new medical care service. The Center started receiving applications from sponsors in 2002 and officially started operations in 2004, when the University of Tokyo was incorporated. Upon completion of Central Clinical Service Building 2 in 2006, the Center moved to its offices on the 7th, 8th and 9th floors. At the Hongo Campus, where Building 2 is situated, a cluster is formed by organizations engaged in advanced medical research and development. Being located within the hospital, the Center is positioned closest to the extramural world. At present, sponsored projects in fields such as the development of new diagnostic and treatment methods, preventive medicine, medical devices and equipment, information databases, and health policy are ongoing. The Center organizes 10 seminars and one symposium annually to disseminate information on its activities. In 2009, we launched the first social collaboration department at the School of Medicine.