“Future” We Want to Create
In 2023, 382,504 people lost their lives to cancer in Japan, making it the leading cause of death. However, cancer is a disease that can often be cured if detected early. When found at an initial stage, treatment options increase, physical and financial burdens decrease, and patients can return to society much sooner.
Despite this, the rate of cancer screenings in Japan remains low, and many cases are diagnosed too late. This is largely due to psychological and physical barriers associated with traditional screening methods, such as the time required, pain involved, and concerns about radiation exposure.
Driven by the desire to create a cancer screening test that anyone can take easily and with peace of mind, we developed a new technology called "N-NOSE." By utilizing the exceptional sense of smell of a tiny organism called the nematode, we have made it possible to screen for the risk of cancer throughout the entire body with a single test. Simply submitting a urine sample allows for painless, effortless, and low-cost detection of even early-stage cancers such as stage 0 or I.
Our goal is a future where cancer is no longer a feared disease. A society where everyone naturally undergoes screenings and can respond promptly if needed. And a world where precious lives are extended with greater happiness.