Eisai Begins Support for Ajinomoto's New Business Creation Platform Under the 2026 Theme: 'Solving Social Issues Surrounding Dementia and MCI'

The hhceco Business Strategy Department of Eisai Co., Ltd. (Tokyo, hereinafter 'Eisai') announced today that it has begun providing support for the new business creation platform 'INNOSEED by AJINOMOTO GROUP' (formerly A-STARTERS) of Ajinomoto Co., Inc. (Tokyo, hereinafter 'Ajinomoto'), focusing on the theme of 'Solving social issues surrounding dementia and MCI (Mild Cognitive Impairment).'

With the progression of an aging society, the number of people with dementia and MCI is expected to increase further, necessitating responses to various challenges faced by individuals, their families, and local communities. Consequently, the importance of co-creation among diverse companies and industries is growing to promote understanding of people living with dementia, enhance support in daily life, and create new services and communities.

Ajinomoto's new business creation platform calls for and selects employees from across the company who wish to start a business, promoting the commercialization of new business plans. Through this platform, business ideas are solicited and selected annually. After the selected ideas undergo refinement and test marketing, those deemed viable enter the market as new businesses. For fiscal 2026, the company has set 'Solving social issues surrounding dementia and MCI' as one of its themes and will begin activities aiming to create new consumer-centric businesses and services.

Eisai will leverage its knowledge and business experience in the dementia field to provide the following support and guidance for Ajinomoto's platform in fiscal 2026:

- Provision of information on basic knowledge and social issues regarding dementia and MCI
- Introduction of Eisai's dementia-related new businesses and co-creation examples
- Provision of opportunities for dialogue with people living with dementia
- Co-hosting of workshop programs for idea generation

By building a dementia ecosystem through collaboration with other industries, Eisai aims to create a social impact and realize a 'society that lives in harmony with dementia' where no one is left behind. Through this collaboration with Ajinomoto, Eisai will work on solving issues in the daily life domain, extending beyond the medical field, to contribute to people's well-being and dementia countermeasures.