Shiga University of Medical Science and KIYAN PHARMA Collaborate on 5-ALA for Diabetes Cure

July 2024 — Professor Hideto Kojima of Shiga University of Medical Science, together with members of his research team, visited the KIYAN PHARMA Co., Ltd. manufacturing facility in Fukuroi, Japan. The visit marked an important milestone in strengthening collaboration between academia and industry toward the goal of developing a curative therapy for diabetes. During the inspection, the team observed the large-scale fermentation systems used to produce 5-Aminolevulinic Acid (5-ALA) and engaged in in-depth discussions with plant representatives on the compound’s wide-ranging therapeutic potential.

The discussions centered on both the technical aspects of 5-ALA production and its clinical applications. The Fukuroi facility, one of the world’s largest dedicated fermentation plants, demonstrated its ability to manufacture 5-ALA efficiently and at scale, meeting strict quality and safety standards. Professor Kojima and his team reviewed the production process, confirming that it supports both clinical research and potential future commercial supply. The meeting also explored how 5-ALA’s unique properties — including its role in mitochondrial function and its potential as an epigenetic modulator — could be further leveraged in combination with Biozipcode™ drug delivery technology to address the root causes of diabetes.

As a result of the visit, Professor Hideto Kojima and KIYAN PHARMA reached an agreement to actively utilize KIYAN’s 5-ALA in future diabetes cure research and development. Both parties recognized the importance of combining cutting-edge academic insights with advanced manufacturing capabilities to accelerate progress toward clinical validation and eventual patient access. This collaboration underscores a shared vision: transforming diabetes from a lifelong condition into a curable disease. Through this partnership, the academic and industrial sectors aim to advance not only scientific discovery but also the practical realization of therapies that can change millions of lives worldwide.