The Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED) was established on April 1, 2015, for the purpose of improving medicine through research and development in Japan and with the goal to fast-track medical R&D that directly benefits people, not only by extending life spans, but also by improving quality of life. AMED engages in research and development in the field of medicine, establishes and maintains an environment for medical R&D, and provides funding, in order to promote integrated medical R&D.