Nanotis

Press Release

Nanotis Corporation (Head Office: Shibuya, Tokyo; CEO, Founder: Lisa Sakashita) (hereinafter “Nanotis”), a University of Tokyo-affiliated venture engaged in the research and development of next-generation infection testing devices, has received funding from Hamamatsu Photonics K.K. (Head Office: Hamamatsu, Shizuoka; President and CEO: Akira Hiruma) (hereinafter “Hamamatsu Photonics”) and Nissha Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto; President and CEO: Junya Suzuki) (hereinafter “Nissha”), making a total of 80 million JPY in cumulative funding raised by the company in the pre-series A round.

Since its foundation in 2016, Nanotis has engaged in the research and development of next-generation rapid diagnostic devices for respiratory tract infections including influenza with the aim of realizing “rapid saliva-based testing, wherever and whoever.”

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic last year, there has been a global recognition of the need for and importance of rapid testing for initial care and the prevention of the spread of infectious diseases. However, existing testing techniques are not fit-for-purpose due to their specific drawbacks: common genetic testing technologies, including PCR testing, require specialist operational skills and expensive equipment, while quantitative antigen testing using a quick immunochromatography assay kit or the like is not sensitive enough for saliva-based testing.

On the other hand, the bioparticle detection technology being developed by Nanotis can be applied to general respiratory tract infections including influenza and COVID-19, and it offers the advantages of quick and simple test procedures for anyone, an affordable price, and simple compatibility with digital health solutions. In addition to usage at medical institutions, this platform technology for next-generation infection testing will evolve to provide solutions for various issues, including early testing for telemedicine practices, protection measures at airports, and the provision of epidemiologic data for global surveys.

With the additional investment from Hamamatsu Photonics, which also made an investment in 2018, and with the new investment from Nissha that has unique strengths and expertise in sensor design, the cumulative funding raised in the Nanotis pre-series A funding round is now 80 million JPY.

With the funds raised, the company will continue to promote R&D in order to establish elemental technologies and to further expand business by exploring business partners for technical commercialization. Nanotis also plans to commence studies into the next Series A funding round.

  • Investors in the Pre-Series A Round
    Taisho Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Toshima-ku, Tokyo; Executive Vice President: Shigeru Uehara)
    Hamatsu Photonics K.K. (Head Office: Hamamatsu, Shizuoka; President and CEO: Akira Hiruma)
    Nissha Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto; President and CEO: Junya Suzuki
  • Corporate Profile
    Name: Nanotis Corporation
    CEO and Founder: Lisa Sakashita
    Address: 5-50-13 Yoyogi, Shibuya, Tokyo, 151-0053, Japan
    Laboratory: The University of Tokyo, Engineering Building 4, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo, Tokyo, 113-8656, Japan
    Established: June 6, 2016
    Capital Stock: 138,147,840 JPY
    Business description: Research and development of rapid diagnostic devices
  • Corporate Profile
    Name: Hamamatsu Photonics K.K.
    President and CEO: Akira Hiruma
    Address: 325-6 Sunayama-cho, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka 430-8587
    Founded: September 29, 1953
    Capital: 34,964 million JPY
  • Corporate Profile
    Name: Nissha Co., Ltd.
    President and CEO: Junya Suzuki
    Address: 3 Mibu Hanai-cho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto 604-8551
    Founded: December 28, 1946
    Capital: 12,119 million JPY

(PDF file of the press release)