Protecting Lives from UV Rays — Epochal's UV Protective Clothing Supports Xeroderma Pigmentosum (XP) Patients at St. Thomas' Hospital in the UK

Peekaboo Inc. (Headquarters: Asaka City, Saitama Prefecture; CEO: Noriko Matsunari) has provided UV protective clothing, innerwear, and gloves to St Thomas' Hospital, London's leading specialized clinic for Xeroderma Pigmentosum (XP), a rare intractable disease characterized by extreme sensitivity to sunlight. The company is engaged in international medical collaboration and product development through regular web meetings with doctors and nurses.

■ What is Xeroderma Pigmentosum (XP)?

Xeroderma Pigmentosum (XP) is a rare genetic disorder characterized by a congenital deficiency in enzymes that repair DNA damage caused by ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Even minimal exposure to sunlight carries a high risk of developing skin cancer, forcing patients to meticulously block UV rays in their daily lives. They must cover their entire bodies with fully UV-blocking materials when going outdoors, and this applies to young children as well.

■ About Epochal / Peekaboo Inc.

Peekaboo Inc. (CEO: Noriko Matsunari, Asaka City, Saitama Prefecture) is a manufacturer that operates the UV protection brand "EPOCHAL." The company develops and provides UV protective products, including those utilizing its proprietary material EPOCHTEX™ (infused with titanium dioxide, tested for 100% UV cut rate by the Kaken Test Center), for medical, educational, and sports fields. Considering it a social mission to protect children and individuals with photosensitive diseases from UV rays, Peekaboo Inc. expands its product reach both domestically and internationally.

■ Fan-Equipped UV Protective Clothing — Development Story

Epochal's fan-equipped UV protective clothing was born from the earnest requests of XP patients and their families who desired to "stay comfortable while being completely shielded from the sun." Protective clothing that covers the entire body tends to trap heat, making prolonged wear difficult, especially in hot weather. To address this challenge, Epochal developed a uniquely designed UV-blocking protective garment that incorporates air-conditioning fans to circulate air within the clothing, achieving both high UV-blocking performance and wearer comfort. This development was made with advice from Dr. Masako Sasaki, Professor Emeritus at Tokai University, and Dr. Masamitsu Ichihashi, Professor Emeritus at Kobe University, at the Wako RIKEN Incubation Plaza within the RIKEN campus. The product directly contributes to improving the Quality of Life (QOL) for XP patients and is highly regarded not only by patients but also by medical professionals.

■ Collaboration with St Thomas' Hospital in the UK

Epochal is currently collaborating with XP specialists at "St Thomas' Hospital" in London, exhibiting and providing UV protective clothing and innerwear in line with monthly outpatient consultations. In addition to selecting exhibited products through regular web meetings with doctors and nurses, the company has also received requests from patient families, such as "Please make UV-cut gloves for young children." This stems from the difficulty in finding manufacturers in the UK capable of producing original UV-cut gloves for toddlers. Epochal addresses such specific overseas needs.

Furthermore, inquiries about fan-equipped UV protective clothing are being received not only from the UK but also from various countries worldwide, including France, the United States, Canada, and Morocco, indicating a growing international demand for Epochal's products.

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