［Health Science domain］
The KIRIN HEALTH INNOVATION FUND Invests In IMMUNOSENS, Developer Of A Compact, Low-cost, High-sensitivity Medical Inspection Device
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February 09, 2023
Kirin Holdings Company, Limited
TOKYO, February 9, 2023 – The KIRIN HEALTH INNOVATION FUND, a corporate venture capital (CVC)*1 fund founded by Kirin Holdings Company, Limited (Kirin Holdings) and Global Brain Corporation, (Global Brain) a leading independent venture capital firm, has invested in IMMUNOSENS CO., LTD. (IMMUNOSENS) on Wednesday, February 1, 2023.
1 The practice of an operating company investing its corporate funds directly in an external startup company aligned with its business lines, intended to establish a mutually beneficial relationship or launch a new business by leveraging the latter’s assets.
IMMUNOSENS is a start-up company developing POCT*2 testing devices that are compact, low-cost, and highly sensitive through its proprietary technology. Kirin Holdings will explore the possibility of applying the POCT testing device developed by IMMUNOSENS using its proprietary technology as a health management device that enables people to maintain their health in the area of unmet medical conditions.
2 Abbreviation for “point of care testing,” a generic term for real-time testing performed at various medical sites, including clinics, home, remote locations, and disaster sites.
About IMMUNOSENS, CO.,LTD.
IMMUNOSENS is a start-up company from Osaka University that develops POCT testing devices utilizing a unique immunoassay technology called the "GLEIA method," which combines immunoreaction and electrochemical reaction. The company's device uses a combination of a palm-sized measuring device (GLEIA Base) and a small disposable sensor (GLEIA Stick). The immunoassay device is used for rapid diagnosis of various diseases such as heart failure and embolism, and its strengths are its small size, low cost, and high sensitivity compared to existing measurement devices. It measures a specific biomarker*3 from a specimen of a small amount, such as blood or saliva, and since the test can be completed in a few minutes, it is expected to be used not only in medical institutions but also as a self-care tool for a wide range of health issues in the future.
3 Substances that are indicators of a specific medical condition or vital state.
Purpose of Establishing the KIRIN HEALTH INNOVATION FUND
Through the KIRIN HEALTH INNOVATION FUND, Kirin Holdings intends to invest in startups around the globe that have innovative technologies and business models for resolving health issues, and to leverage their advanced health science technologies and solutions for improving customer experience. By combining the Kirin Group’s wealth of assets and competence in health science with innovations and technologies that startups will bring to partnerships, Kirin Holdings will be better able to bolster its existing Food & Beverages domain as well as step up efforts to launch new businesses in its Health Science domain.
Supplementary Information
(1) About the KIRIN HEALTH INNOVATION FUND
| Fund name | KIRIN HEALTH INNOVATION FUND (registered as KIRIN and GB Investment Limited Partnership) |
|---|---|
| Primary sector for investment | Startups around the globe operating in the health science domain |
| Established | March 2020 |
| AUM | 5 billion yen |
| Investment period | 10 years |
| General partner | Global Brain Inc. |
(2) About Global Brain
| Company name | Global Brain Corporation |
|---|---|
| Head office | 10-11 Sakuragaokacho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, Japan |
| President | Yasuhiko Yurimoto |
| Established | January 1998 |
| Primary business | Venture capital business |
| URL | https://globalbrains.com/en |
(3) About IMMUNOSENS
| Company Name | IMMUNOSENS, CO., LTD |
|---|---|
| Location | 4-1-3 Bingo-machi, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka |
| representative | Representative Director Hirokazu Sugihara |
| Establishment | January 2018 |
| Business | Development of POCT testing device using proprietary “GLEIA” immunoassay method |
| URL | https://immunosens.com/ |
About Kirin Holdings
Kirin Holdings Company, Limited is an international company that operates in the Food & Beverages domain (Food & Beverages businesses), Pharmaceuticals domain (Pharmaceuticals businesses), and Health Science domain (Health Science business), both in Japan and across the globe.
Kirin Holdings can trace its roots to Japan Brewery which was established in 1885. Japan Brewery became Kirin Brewery in 1907. Since then, the company expanded its business with fermentation and biotechnology as its core technologies, and entered the pharmaceutical business in the 1980s, all of which continue to be global growth centers. In 2007, Kirin Holdings was established as a pure holding company and is currently focusing on boosting its Health Science domain.
Under the Kirin Group Vision 2027 (KV 2027), a long-term management plan launched in 2019, the Kirin Group aims to become A global leader in CSV*, creating value across our world of Food & Beverages to Pharmaceuticals. Going forward, the Kirin Group will continue to leverage its strengths to create both social and economic value through its businesses, with the aim of achieving sustainable growth in corporate value.
* Creating Shared Value. Combined added value for consumers as well as for society at large.
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