13th Zero Malaria Award 2026 goes to Eiken Chemical Co., Ltd.
Malaria No More Japan announced that Eiken Chemical will receive the 13th Zero Malaria Award 2026 for developing and implementing the Malaria-LAMP diagnostic kit.
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- 📰 Published: April 23, 2026 at 20:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 23, 2026 at 11:31
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Malaria No More Japan (Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Representative Director Takahiro Shinyo), a specified non-profit organization, announced on April 23, ahead of World Malaria Day on April 25, that it will present the 13th Zero Malaria Award 2026 to Eiken Chemical Co., Ltd. (Tokyo, Director and Representative Executive Chairman Tsugunobu Notomi).
Testing patient specimens from Palawan Island, Philippines using Malaria-LAMP: Positive specimen (No.1). The device display temperature (Reaction Block side) is the reaction tank temperature during the enzyme deactivation process.
The company developed a simple and highly sensitive malaria DNA diagnostic method using the LAMP method that can be performed at the point of care (POC). They proceeded with international performance evaluations in cooperation with the (former) National Center for Global Health and Medicine / (current) Japan Institute for Health Security (JIHS), the Disease Control and Prevention Center (DCC), and the Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, and achieved commercialization after receiving approval from the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA). The development and social implementation of the malaria diagnostic method advanced by the company is a successful model of bringing innovative technology originating in Japan from research to fruition in institutionalization, clinical application, and international expansion, and is one of the outstanding efforts contributing to the realization of zero malaria.
Furthermore, the award was given in recognition of the fact that its further international expansion based on scientific validity, technological developmental potential, and social impact are extremely significant.
The company commented: 'We are very honored to receive this prestigious award.' 'Our expected mission is to contribute through the provision of high-quality products to ensure reliable diagnosis and appropriate treatment for patients, and towards a global zero malaria. We will continue to further our efforts towards the realization of zero malaria and UHC through the development of innovative technologies originating in Japan.'
The award ceremony for this year's Zero Malaria Award 2026 is scheduled to be held in Tokyo on June 10.
Malaria No More Japan, the only civil society organization in Japan dedicated to malaria, hopes that the Zero Malaria Award will serve as an opportunity for more people to take an interest in and take action on malaria and infectious diseases.
About the Zero Malaria Award
It commends individuals and organizations in all fields engaged in activities that contribute to the international community's goal of 'achieving zero malaria by 2030'. Since its inception in 2014, it has evaluated and commended contributions to zero malaria from various standpoints, including support projects, research activities, and information dissemination efforts. Past awards can be viewed on our organization's website.
https://malarianomore.jp/archives/category/award
Full text of the comment from Eiken Chemical Co., Ltd.
Malaria parasite nucleic acid kit (3 types: Pan/Pf/Pv)
We are very honored to receive the prestigious 13th Zero Malaria Award. We perceive this award as an evaluation of our steady efforts alongside academia, medical professionals, and related organizations, utilizing the experience cultivated in the development of diagnostic agents using the LAMP gene amplification technology, from the development of Malaria-LAMP to its institutionalization, clinical utilization, social implementation, and international expansion.
Malaria-LAMP, while possessing the high sensitivity unique to genetic testing, has proven its rapid and simple operability in the field, obtained PMDA approval in 2025, and was launched domestically as an in vitro diagnostic agent. As a result, it has become possible to provide an appropriate diagnosis for malaria infection as an imported infectious disease.
Our expected mission is to contribute through the provision of high-quality products to ensure reliable diagnosis and appropriate treatment for patients, and towards a global zero malaria. We will continue to further our efforts towards the realization of zero malaria and UHC through the development of innovative technologies originating in Japan.
About the Zero Malaria Award
Commends individuals and organizations working towards malaria control. Established in 2014 by the certified NPO Malaria No More Japan, it targets individuals and organizations in all fields related to malaria, not limited to the implementation of specific support projects, but also those engaged in investigative research, information dissemination, and creating ideas to improve awareness of the word malaria.
1st (2014) Awardee Organization: Junior Chamber International Japan
Evaluated for their activities cooperating with the 'Nothing But Nets' campaign to send mosquito nets to children in Africa by the Junior Chamber International over many years.
2nd (2015) Awardee: Fumihiko Kawamoto, Professor Emeritus, Oita University
For his research, internationally renowned in the development of acridine orange staining microscopy and molecular epidemiological research on malaria and G6PD deficiency.
3rd (2016) Awardee: Jun Kobayashi, Professor, University of the Ryukyus
For activities in Asia, such as implementing activities in Laos for many years.
4th (2017) ...
Testing patient specimens from Palawan Island, Philippines using Malaria-LAMP: Positive specimen (No.1). The device display temperature (Reaction Block side) is the reaction tank temperature during the enzyme deactivation process.
The company developed a simple and highly sensitive malaria DNA diagnostic method using the LAMP method that can be performed at the point of care (POC). They proceeded with international performance evaluations in cooperation with the (former) National Center for Global Health and Medicine / (current) Japan Institute for Health Security (JIHS), the Disease Control and Prevention Center (DCC), and the Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, and achieved commercialization after receiving approval from the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA). The development and social implementation of the malaria diagnostic method advanced by the company is a successful model of bringing innovative technology originating in Japan from research to fruition in institutionalization, clinical application, and international expansion, and is one of the outstanding efforts contributing to the realization of zero malaria.
Furthermore, the award was given in recognition of the fact that its further international expansion based on scientific validity, technological developmental potential, and social impact are extremely significant.
The company commented: 'We are very honored to receive this prestigious award.' 'Our expected mission is to contribute through the provision of high-quality products to ensure reliable diagnosis and appropriate treatment for patients, and towards a global zero malaria. We will continue to further our efforts towards the realization of zero malaria and UHC through the development of innovative technologies originating in Japan.'
The award ceremony for this year's Zero Malaria Award 2026 is scheduled to be held in Tokyo on June 10.
Malaria No More Japan, the only civil society organization in Japan dedicated to malaria, hopes that the Zero Malaria Award will serve as an opportunity for more people to take an interest in and take action on malaria and infectious diseases.
About the Zero Malaria Award
It commends individuals and organizations in all fields engaged in activities that contribute to the international community's goal of 'achieving zero malaria by 2030'. Since its inception in 2014, it has evaluated and commended contributions to zero malaria from various standpoints, including support projects, research activities, and information dissemination efforts. Past awards can be viewed on our organization's website.
https://malarianomore.jp/archives/category/award
Full text of the comment from Eiken Chemical Co., Ltd.
Malaria parasite nucleic acid kit (3 types: Pan/Pf/Pv)
We are very honored to receive the prestigious 13th Zero Malaria Award. We perceive this award as an evaluation of our steady efforts alongside academia, medical professionals, and related organizations, utilizing the experience cultivated in the development of diagnostic agents using the LAMP gene amplification technology, from the development of Malaria-LAMP to its institutionalization, clinical utilization, social implementation, and international expansion.
Malaria-LAMP, while possessing the high sensitivity unique to genetic testing, has proven its rapid and simple operability in the field, obtained PMDA approval in 2025, and was launched domestically as an in vitro diagnostic agent. As a result, it has become possible to provide an appropriate diagnosis for malaria infection as an imported infectious disease.
Our expected mission is to contribute through the provision of high-quality products to ensure reliable diagnosis and appropriate treatment for patients, and towards a global zero malaria. We will continue to further our efforts towards the realization of zero malaria and UHC through the development of innovative technologies originating in Japan.
About the Zero Malaria Award
Commends individuals and organizations working towards malaria control. Established in 2014 by the certified NPO Malaria No More Japan, it targets individuals and organizations in all fields related to malaria, not limited to the implementation of specific support projects, but also those engaged in investigative research, information dissemination, and creating ideas to improve awareness of the word malaria.
1st (2014) Awardee Organization: Junior Chamber International Japan
Evaluated for their activities cooperating with the 'Nothing But Nets' campaign to send mosquito nets to children in Africa by the Junior Chamber International over many years.
2nd (2015) Awardee: Fumihiko Kawamoto, Professor Emeritus, Oita University
For his research, internationally renowned in the development of acridine orange staining microscopy and molecular epidemiological research on malaria and G6PD deficiency.
3rd (2016) Awardee: Jun Kobayashi, Professor, University of the Ryukyus
For activities in Asia, such as implementing activities in Laos for many years.
4th (2017) ...