Corporate
Profile

[Company strength]
Having started a joint research with Hiroshima University in 2006 on a safe anti-norovirus agent, we discovered that persimmon tannin diminishes the virus genome by 99%, and filed a joint patent application. The applications have been granted in Japan, the US, Canada, China, Vietnam, France, the UK, Germany, and Netherlands so far. The technology led to the development of Altan Noro Ace, which has proven to be popular not only in the originally intended food industry, but also in kindergartens, nursery schools, nursing homes, and other facilities.

[Business description]
Our company develops and manufactures industrial sterilization chemicals for the food industry focusing on safety and security, which are essential for environmental hygiene on the manufacturing floor. We have also conducted joint research with Hiroshima University, and developed a specialty chemical for preventing noroviruses; the product has sold 1.6 million units so far, helping to protect the public from noroviruses.

[Industry]
Manufacturing/sales of sterilization chemicals for the food industry, quasi drugs and cosmetics

[Strength of products/technologies]
Unlike influenza and other cultivable viruses, noroviruses proliferate only in the human small intestine, which makes it difficult to verify antiviral effect, so instead we used feline calicivirus in the same Caliciviridae family for evaluation. However, since feline calicivirus is inactivated by a strongly acidic environment of pH 2-3 (human gastric juice environment), an agent that is effective against feline calicivirus may not be effective against noroviruses that proliferate in the small intestine after passing through gastric juice. Therefore, Hiroshima University used the real-time PCR method to verify the remaining ratio of virus genomes, confirming that persimmon tannin diminishes more than 99% of the norovirus genome.

[Representative's message]
Currently, we are developing the market for a safe, anti-norovirus agent that is made of food additives and ethanol to help society better cope with noroviruses. We plan to develop and promote safe persimmon tannin products for overseas markets using the patented technology.

[Company structure for market development/overseas expansion]
Marketing staff and other staff are studying overseas markets. We are also developing sterilization products for overseas markets; prototypes are currently under evaluation.

[Market share/Ranking]
Our market share is unknown as there are no other anti-norovirus products in the industry.

[Awards and media coverage]
[Awards]
Joint Research/Technology Transfer Services Prize (2008); Excellence Award at 25th SME’s Excellent New Technology/New Product Award competition (2013); Excellence Award at 25th Ota Ward SME’s Excellent New Technology/New Product Award competition

[Media]
Nikkei newspaper (“Preventing noroviruses with persimmon tannin”); Nippon Broadcasting (“The power of persimmon tannin,” September 27, 2010, November 18 and December 21, 2012); Asahi National Broadcasting (“Preventing noroviruses and influenza,” February 19, 2013)


[Joint research and development]
Hiroshima University, Laboratory of Food Microbiology and Hygiene; Hiroshima University School of Medicine/Dentistry/Pharmaceutical Sciences/Health Sciences, Virology Laboratory



[Intellectual property]
Registered patent applications:
(1) “Anti-norovirus Agent” (No. 5092145, in Japan), granted in 8 other countries
(2) “Anti-virus Agent on Enveloped Viruses of A Type Influenza Virus” (No. 5670201)
(3) Others



[Main Clients / Business History (domestic)]
Imperial Hotel, Yamazaki Baking plants, SunDelica plants, Watami Foods, many restaurants, kindergartens, nursery schools, and nursing homes