Kobe University-originated startup TearExo selected for the NEXs Tokyo 'DIVE' acceleration course

## TearExo selected for the NEXs Tokyo 'DIVE' acceleration course

TearExo (Headquarters: Kobe City, CEO: Ryo Horikawa, hereinafter 'the Company') announced that it has been selected for the 'DIVE' acceleration course within the collaborative project creation program of 'NEXs Tokyo', a startup support project hosted by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government.

Based in the Kansai region, the company provides breast awareness support and breast cancer risk assessment services using tears for corporations. Following this selection, the company will strengthen collaborations with enterprises, municipalities, and support organizations in the Tokyo metropolitan area to expand the adoption of its breast awareness support and tear-based breast cancer risk assessment services, create opportunities for demonstration, and promote collaboration with business partners.

### About the NEXs Tokyo DIVE course

'NEXs Tokyo' is a startup support project operated by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. It supports the growth of startups aiming for wide-area expansion by creating opportunities for collaboration across regions, industries, and business sectors. The 'DIVE' course, for which the company was selected, allows startups operating outside of Tokyo to utilize the Tokyo ecosystem to accelerate their businesses.

By leveraging the TearExo® method—a detection technique for cancer-related extracellular vesicles (exosomes) originating from Kobe University—the company aims to contribute to a healthy society where people can experience well-being by promoting early detection and treatment of cancer. The TearExo® method allows for rapid and high-sensitivity detection using tears, which can be easily collected by anyone, anytime, anywhere.

Through this program, the company will advance the deployment of services for corporations in the Tokyo area, cultivate co-creation partners, and create demonstration opportunities with companies and organizations.

### About TearExo

Established in April 2022 as a Kobe University-originated startup following the JST-START program. With the vision of 'A world where everyone is free from disease with one drop of a tear,' the company is conducting research and development for the social implementation of testing methods using easily collectable tears. Winner of numerous awards, including Kinki Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry 'J-Startup KANSAI' certification, Osaka Business Development Agency 'Kido' 2nd term selection, HeCNOS Award (Osaka/Kansai Expo exhibitor), and Deep Tech Venture of the Year 2024.

- Headquarters: 1-1 Rokkodai-cho, Nada-ku, Kobe, Hyogo
- CEO: Ryo Horikawa
- Business Description: Research, development, manufacturing, and sales of liquid biopsy using molecular recognition materials
- URL: https://tearexo.jp/

### About the core technology, TearExo® method

The TearExo® method is a technology capable of detecting extracellular vesicles (exosomes) contained in tears without pre-treatment, with high sensitivity, speed, ease, and low cost. Extracellular vesicles are vesicles secreted by all cells throughout the body. New cancer detection methods utilizing extracellular vesicles released from cancer cells are attracting attention for early cancer detection. Because the TearExo® method is 100 to 1000 times more sensitive than conventional immunoassays, it can detect extracellular vesicles even in dilute tears. Additionally, while conventional methods require sample pre-treatment for concentration and purification, the high sensitivity of this method allows measurement without any pre-treatment.