Company

Company History

~2015
  • Hirotsu's paper revealing the involvement of the Ras-MAPK pathway in nematode olfaction
    has been published in the British scientific journal "Nature"
  • Inoue Science Foundation
    Hirotsu received "Inoue Research Encouragement Award"
  • First clinical study on nematode cancer scent detection published in PLOS ONE, by Takaaki Hirotsu
    A number of media outlets report the invention, generating a great response from various quarters
2016
  • Hirotsu Bio Science Inc. established (headquartered: in Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo),
    with the aim of commercializing N-NOSE nematode cancer testing
  • CEO Takaaki Hirotsu selected as 2016 "Nice Step Researcher"
    by the National Institute of Science and Technology Policy (NISTEP)
  • The Society for Neuroclearative Research, NPO
    Representative Hirotsu receives the "Development Research Encouragement Award"
  • The Foundation for Advancement of Science
    Representative Hirotsu receives the "Nakayama Prize Encouragement Award"
  • New joint clinical research partner:Nanpuh Hospital
2017
  • Implements capital increase through third-party share allotment(1st time in 2017)
  • Central Research Laboratory, Fukuoka Research Laboratory,
    and Shikoku Analysis Center established
  • Representative Hirotsu Invited to Speak at Brisbane Cancer Conference 2017
  • Establishes Australian firm Hirotsu Bio Australia Pty. Ltd.
  • Third-party allotment of new shares to several companies (2nd time in 2017)
  • Selected as a "Regional Future Leader" by the Ministry of Economy,
    Trade and Industry
  • New joint clinical research partners:Shikoku Cancer Center; Ageo Central General Hospital, Department of Gastroenterology; Hills Garden Clinic; Engaru-Kosei General Hospital; Saitama Medical University International Medical Center, Department of Gastroenterology; Todachuo General Hospital, Department of Gastroenterology; Inazawa Kosei Hospital, Department of Gastroenterology; Ibi Kosei Hospital; Queensland University of Technology; Shin-Yamanote Hospital, Digestive Surgery Department/Respiratory Medicine Department; Nanpuh Hospital/Shionogi & Co., Ltd.; Osaka University, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology; Kurume University, Multidisciplinary Cancer Treatment Center
2018
  • Head office relocated to Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo,
    to accommodate business expansion
  • Third-party allotment of new shares to several companies (1st time in 2018)
  • Selected for Fukuoka Prefecture Project for Application of Innovative Ultra-Early Cancer Detection Technology,
    Fukuoka Prefecture
  • Forms capital and business alliances with Toppan Forms Co., Ltd., AS ONE Corporation, Ichinen Holdings Co., Ltd., Miraca Holdings Inc., Avex Inc. and Nippon Broadcasting System, Inc.
  • Third-party allotment of new shares to several companies (2nd time in 2018)
  • Hirotsu becomes a Adjunct associate professor
    at Queensland University of Technology
  • President Hirotsu appointed to the Board of Directors
    of the Japan Society for Biological-Diagnosis, Inc.
  • First overseas program to feature nematode cancer testing
    NHK World JAPAN "NEWS ROOM TOKYO"
  • Our company's first close interview, and the R&D process will be broadcast
    TV Tokyo's "Gaia no Yoake (Dawn of Gaia)"
  • New joint clinical research partners:Tokushima University, Department of Hematology; Todachuo General Hospital, Department of Nephrology
2019
  • Takaaki Hirotsu presents at the 60th Annual Scientific Meeting
    of Japan Society of Ningen Dock
  • Kobunsha releases book by CEO Takaaki Hirotsu: Cancer Screening is What Nematodes Do
  • CEO Takaaki Hirotsu participates as an invitee in the 16th Annual Meeting
    of the Science and Technology in Society (STS) Forum
  • Establishes American firm Hirotsu & Co., Inc.
  • Central Research Laboratory, Fukuoka Research Laboratory and Shikoku Analysis Center were renamed
    to Kashiwa R&D Center, Fukuoka R&D Center and Matsuyama R&D Center
  • HBS Tokyo Inspection Center and HBS Matsuyama Inspection Center are established
  • CEO Takaaki Hirotsu presents at the 2021 World Alliance Forum in San Francisco (WAFSF)
  • New joint clinical research partner:Kurume University, Department of Pediatrics
2020
  • N-NOSE®, the world's first nematode cancer screening test, commercialized
    as a "primary cancer screening test"
  • Numerous news reports in various media related to the practical application of N-NOSE
  • Platinum Initiative Network, Inc.
    Receives the Excellence Award at the 8th Platinum Awards
  • Third-party allotment of new shares to several companies (1st time in 2020)
  • Succeeds in fully automating N-NOSE testing equipment
  • Head office relocated to Kioicho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, to accommodate business expansion
  • Launches "Go To N-NOSE", an N-NOSE service for individual users
    N-NOSE Stations open in Tokyo and Fukuoka
  • Kashiwa R&D Center relocated, newly established as Shonan R&D Center
  • CEO Takaaki Hirotsu presents at the 4th World Congress on Ningen Dock
  • Third-party allotment of new shares to several companies (2nd time in 2020)
  • New joint clinical research partners:University of Tsukuba, Department of Pediatrics; (Note: Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics); National Center for Child Health and Development, Children's Cancer Center; Tokyo Metropolitan Komagome Hospital, Department of Gastroenterological Internal Medicine; Gifu University, Department of Surgical Oncology; Ageo Central General Hospital (2); The University of Tokyo, Department of Stomach and Esophageal Surgery; Teikyo University, Department of Dermatology; Showa University, Department of Gastroenterology
2021
  • "N-NOSE Station" opens in Osaka
  • Fukuoka Branch of Local Employees' Mutual Aid Association Introduces
    "N-NOSE" for the First Time in Japan
  • Forms capital and business alliances
    with Yokogawa Electric Corporation and HoriPro Inc.
  • "N-NOSE Station Satellite" specimen collection sites nationwide
  • Third-party allotment of new shares to several companies (1st time in 2021)
  • "N-NOSE at home", a new service that allows users to complete inspections at home, begins in 47 prefectures nationwide
  • Third-party allotment of new shares to several companies (2nd time in 2021)
  • Forms capital and business alliance agreement with Mitsui Sumitomo Aioi Life Insurance Co., Ltd.
  • "N-NOSE Station" opens in Shinjuku
  • Ffirst corporate TV commercial begins airing in the Kansai area
  • First N-NOSE TV commercial starts airing on national television
  • "N-NOSE Station" opens in Matsuyama
  • Success in Development of N-NOSE's Next-Generation Cancer Type Specific Test
    Announced that the world's first test for early-stage pancreatic cancer
    will be commercially available in 2022
    This announcement was reported in over 300 news media outlets
  • Valuation exceeds 100 billion after 5 years in business
    Became the first unicorn company in the Japanese healthcare sector
  • New joint clinical research partners:Showa University, Department of Gastroenterology (2); Queensland University of Technology (2); Juntendo University, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
2022
  • Third-party allotment of new shares to several companies (1st time in 2022)
  • Forms capital and business alliance agreement with Sojitz Corporation
  • Certified as "ME-BYO BRAND"
    by Kanagawa Prefecture
  • Questions about nematode cancer testing technology used in 2022 entrance exams at a national university and a private high school
  • Begins offering N-NOSE Peace-of-Mind After-Sales Service (free of charge) for users judged to be at high risk on N-NOSE tests
  • "Regular Testing" option added to the lineup of N-NOSE testing services
  • Forms capital and business alliance with Tokyu Agency Inc.
  • N-NOSE testing used for group screening of residents for the first time in Japan,
    in health promotion project in Samani, Hokkaido
  • CEO Takaaki Hirotsu presents at the 63rd Annual Scientific Meeting
    of Japan Society of Ningen Dock
  • Video released to celebrate the 25,000th N-NOSE user
  • Our first clinical study on the use of N-NOSE with pets (cats and dogs)
    published in Biochemistry and Biophysics Reports (BB Reports)
  • Introduces executive officer system
  • Joins the World Economic Forum's Global Innovators Community
  • New joint clinical research partners:Osaka University, Department of Medical Data Science; The University of Tokyo, Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery; The University of Tokyo, Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery (2); Tokushima University, Department of Hematology (2); Kawasaki Medical School, Department of Gastroenterology; Hyogo Medical University, Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
2023
  • The first next-generation "cancer type specific test" for the "N-NOSE®", "N-NOSE® plus Pancreas" has been commercialized.
  • Forms capital and business alliance agreement with Anicom Insurance, Inc.
  • Started accepting advance orders for N-NOSE® dogs, a cancer screening for "Pet Dogs"
  • Hirotsu Bio Science Signs Memorandum of Understanding with Global Health Equity Fund, Aims to Expand Overseas Deployment of N-NOSE®
  • Attended the World Economic Forum New Champions Annual Meeting 2023
  • Opens a store on Tmall Global, a cross-border e-commerce platform operated by Alibaba Group
  • N-NOSE users exceed 500,000
  • CEO Takaaki Hirotsu speaks at "STS forum 2023" public symposium
  • Cancer risk screening for cats "N-NOSE Cats" now available
  • Participation in "UBS Disruptive Technology CEO Summit 2023"
  • Official Partner Agreement signed with Ricoh Black Rams Tokyo
  • Allocation of new shares to a third party (1st time in 2023)
  • New Director/CSO appointed
2024
  • Number of corporate customers for N-NOSE exceeds 2,000
  • Demonstration experiment on unattended sales and collection of "N-NOSE" starts
  • Success in developing a new cancer type specific test for liver cancer