--Seeks to boost the health of people around the world through microbiome care + logistics--
NIPPON EXPRESS HOLDINGS, INC. (President: Satoshi Horikiri), on Wednesday, April 10 acquired a stake in KINS Corporation (hereinafter, "KINS"), which provides comprehensive microbiome care services, as an NX Global Innovation Fund project.
■ Profile of KINS
KINS is a start-up company that aims to create a world where microbiome care (*1) is seen as a matter of course. KINS proposes to care for the resident microbiota on and within the human body, and to this end it conducts research, development, and sales in an integrated manner. The company specializes in the microbiome (*2) and, seeking to provide definitive solutions to chronic diseases, it is expanding its business in Japan and several other Asian countries with the aim of conveying the concept of microbiome care for not only humans but for dogs and cats as well to drive a shift from symptomatic treatment to fundamental treatment.
The company also has its own laboratory where it accumulates and analyzes data provided by users on resident skin, scalp, and intestinal microbiota to aid in the development of various products. This data is then used to form partnerships with research institutions for microbiome drug discovery focusing on resident microbiota.
■ Background and objectives of investment
The NX Group is working to enhance its corporate value and solve social issues to realize its long-term vision of becoming a "logistics company with a strong presence in the global marketplace".
With this investment made, consideration will be given to utilizing the cell and specimen storage service (*3) offered by NX Wanbishi Archives Co., Ltd., in the microbiome bank (*4) operated by KINS, and to providing end-to-end transport of specimens from overseas clinics to laboratories and storage facilities in Japan. The NX Group's comprehensive capabilities will be leveraged to support KINS' business expansion from a logistics perspective and create new business opportunities by expanding awareness of KINS within the healthcare industry, identified by the Group as a priority industry.
The NX Group will continue addressing social issues through business co-creation with startup companies in Japan and overseas and helping put in place sustainable societies where all people can lead affluent and fulfilling lives.
■ Profile of investee
| Company name | KINS Inc. |
|---|---|
| Head office location | Ebisunishi 1-33-6-206, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo |
| Year established | 2018 |
| Representative | Yutaka Shimokawa |
| Capital | 1,134million (including capital reserve) |
| Employees | 60 (as of March 2024) |
| Business description | Consumer healthcare business, clinic business, medical business |
| Website | https://corporate.yourkins.com/ |
