Corporate Information

Company Overview

Company Name

Noster inc.

Head Office

35-3 Minamibiraki, Kamiueno-cho,
Muko City, Kyoto 617-0006, Japan
Telephone: +81-75-921-5303

Business Areas

  • Metabolite-based Drug Discovery

  • Gut Microbial Metabolite Research Infrastructure (NMRP)

  • Health Assessment Services

  • Research Reagents

  • Healthcare D2C Business in Japan (CUMEC)

  • Functional Ingredients (including microbial materials)

Group Companies

  • Nitto Pharmaceutical Holdings Co., Ltd.

  • Nitto Pharmaceutical Industries, Ltd.

  • Nitto Pharma JCK, Ltd.

Founder & CEO

Kohey Kitao

Employees

Approximately 37 (as of 2026)

Core Scientific Platform

NOSTER was the first company in the world to achieve microbial biosynthesis of HYA,
a gut microbial metabolite derived from linoleic acid.
Our scientific platform integrates microbial fermentation, cultivation of anaerobic gut microbes, lipid
metabolism engineering, metabolite science, metabolomics-centered multi-omics technologies,
and a global research collaboration network.
Together, these capabilities support research, drug discovery, and real-world implementation.

Intellectual Property Portfolio

Representative Categories

  • Metabolic Improvement

  • Intestinal Barrier Protection

  • Anti-inflammatory Technologies

  • Novel Triglycerides

  • HYA Alkyl Esters

  • Menaquinone Pathway Inhibitors

  • Hydroxy Fatty Acid Homopolymers

  • Intestinal Health (Patent Pending)

  • Muscle Atrophy (Patent Pending)

Major Public Funding and Research Programs

Before the Establishment of NOSTER

  • Technology-Based Startup Support Program, NEDO (2014)

  • Collaboration with Research Institute (CRI), NEDO (2016, 2017)

Since the Establishment of NOSTER

  • Advanced Research and Development Programs for Medical Innovation (AMED-CREST), AMED (2020)

  • Project Focused on Developing Key Technology for Discovering and Manufacturing Drugs for Next-Generation Treatment and Diagnosis, AMED (2021)

  • Development of Production Technology for Bio-based Products to Accelerate the Realization of Carbon Recycling, NEDO (2021, 2022, 2025)

  • Programs for Bridging the gap between R&D and the IDeal society (Society 5.0) and Generating Economic and social value (BRIDGE), Cabinet Office (2023)

  • Support Program for Strategic Core Technologies (Sapo-in Program), METI (2021)

  • Industry–Academia–Government Collaboration Program ("San-gaku-ko no Mori"), Kyoto Sangyo 21 Foundation (2021)

  • Moonshot Research & Development Program, Cabinet Office (2026)

Abbreviations
NEDO: New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization
AMED: Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development
METI: Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry

Research & Commercial Development

  • Pharmacological Research on HYA

  • Investigator-Initiated Clinical Studies

  • Gut Microbiota & Metabolite Analysis Services

  • Launch of D2C Brand CUMEC (2021)

  • Technology Implementation at Keio University Center for Preventive Medicine (2025)

  • Launch of Research Reagent Business (2026)

International Scientific Alliances

  • NOSTER & Science Microbiome Prize (with AAAS)

  • Collaborative research with Harvard University, Stanford University, Newcastle University,
    Karolinska Institutet, Cleveland Clinic, and other leading institutions worldwide

Board of Directors

Founder, Representative Director & CEO

Kohey Kitao

Director

Chieko Kanno

Outside Director

Masatada Rai

Corporate Auditor

Masahiro Kushibe

Scientific Advisors

  • Hiroshi Itoh

  • Toshikazu Yoshikawa