Breakthrough Disease Treatment Drug Creation with Lactic Acid Bacteria Exosomes (Extracellular Vesicles; EVs). LAB Biotech Initiates Joint Research for Novel Ophthalmic Drug Discovery.
LAB Biotech starts joint research with DWTI on ophthalmic therapeutics using lactic acid bacteria EVs, aiming for breakthrough drug discovery.
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- 📰 Published: April 2, 2026 at 00:30
## Breakthrough Disease Treatment Drug Creation with Lactic Acid Bacteria Exosomes (Extracellular Vesicles; EVs). LAB Biotech Initiates Joint Research for Novel Ophthalmic Drug Discovery.
## Exploring New Therapeutic Possibilities Offered by Lactic Acid Bacteria EVs.
LAB Biotech Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Sapporo, Hokkaido; Representative Director and President: Mutsumi Murakami; hereinafter, LAB Biotech) has entered into a comprehensive joint research agreement with De-Western Therapeutix Institute Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Nagoya, Aichi; Representative Director and President: Yuichi Hidaka; hereinafter, "DWTI"), a drug discovery venture company with a proven track record in the ophthalmology field, to create ophthalmic therapeutics using lactic acid bacteria exosome-like structures, Extracellular Vesicles (EVs; hereinafter, lactic acid bacteria EVs). The joint research commenced on April 1, 2026, anticipating the progression of multiple projects.
The application of lactic acid bacteria EVs for ophthalmic disease treatment is rare worldwide, and a full-scale project exploring the new frontier of "Ophthalmology × Lactic Acid Bacteria EVs" is now underway.
## Background of the Joint Research
The lactic acid bacteria EVs that LAB Biotech focuses on for research possess the following characteristics, which differ from those of lactic acid bacteria cells:
### 1. Reports of Passage Through Intestinal Tract and Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB)
Numerous reports indicate that exosomes pass through the intestinal tract and BBB, migrating to other tissues. Lactic acid bacteria EVs are expected to possess a similar mechanism, suggesting their potential application as drug delivery carriers.
### 2. Some Lactic Acid Bacteria EVs Act to Suppress Inflammation
Normally, cell wall components of lactic acid bacteria induce inflammation. Therefore, applying lactic acid bacteria as ophthalmic therapeutics has been challenging. However, some lactic acid bacteria EVs highly purified by LAB Biotech have shown anti-inflammatory effects, thereby opening the possibility for application as eye drops.
## About DWTI
With the vision of "Bringing innovative new drugs from Japan to the world," DWTI is a drug discovery bio-venture that develops new drugs, primarily in the ophthalmology field and for unmet medical needs. It is one of the few ventures with a track record of launching its own developed products (Product name: Glanatec® Ophthalmic Solution 0.4%, generic name: Ripasudil Hydrochloride Hydrate).
Company Profile
Company Name: De-Western Therapeutix Institute Co., Ltd. Abbreviation: 『DWTI』
Representative: Yuichi Hidaka, Representative Director
Headquarters: 1-18-11 Nishiki, Naka-ku, Nagoya, Aichi
Business Activities: Pharmaceutical research and development
## About LAB Biotech
LAB Biotech is a certified Hokkaido University-originated biotech startup challenging the development of new lactic acid bacteria.
The company has cataloged over 900 unique isolated lactic acid bacteria strains and is progressing with multiple lactic acid bacteria projects based on this library. This project focuses on lactic acid bacteria EVs (Extracellular Vesicles) released from lactic acid bacteria cells, working on establishing purification technology, building an EVs library, and evaluating property and activity differences among strains.
Company Profile
Company Name: LAB Biotech Co., Ltd.
Representative: Mutsumi Murakami, Representative Director and President
Headquarters: Hokkaido University Business Spring, Kita 21 Nishi 12-2, Kita-ku, Sapporo
Business Activities: (1) Research and development of lactic acid bacteria and lactic acid bacteria metabolites
(2) Consulting services for new lactic acid bacteria development
(3) Manufacturing and sales of food ingredients such as lactic acid bacteria
(4) Contract testing for functional evaluation of functional materials, etc.
## Role Allocation of Both Companies
DWTI
in vivo efficacy evaluation, leadership in clinical trials, safety evaluation
Formulation design and prescription development for ophthalmic solutions
Development strategy formulation for pharmaceuticals and quasi-drugs
Promotion of commercialization and business development
LAB Biotech
Component analysis and quality standard setting for lactic acid bacteria EVs
Construction of lactic acid bacteria EVs library and provision of highly purified EVs
in vitro primary screening and selection of lactic acid bacteria EVs
*Self-reported. "Rare worldwide" refers to the fact that as of March 2026, less than 5 research papers aiming to apply lactic acid bacteria EVs to ophthalmic diseases were found in academic databases (Pubmed).
## Comments from LAB Biotech
○ Mutsumi Murakami, Representative Director and President
Lactic acid bacteria EVs are materials that can be called the culmination of our long-standing research. Collaborating with DWTI, a company with a proven track record in the highly specialized field of ophthalmology, is a significant step forward. We will solidify the potential of lactic acid bacteria EVs as next-generation biopharmaceuticals.
○ Takao Mori, Vice President and Head of Research and Development
Lactic acid bacteria EVs differ significantly in properties and activity among strains, and this diversity is their appeal as drug discovery materials. In this joint research, we will proceed with the selection of optimal EVs and the establishment of quality standards, accelerating the development of materials suitable for the ophthalmic field.
## Potential of Lactic Acid Bacteria EVs as Next-Generation Biopharmaceuticals
Lactic acid bacteria EVs, currently under research and development by LAB Biotech, are expected to differentiate themselves as next-generation biopharmaceutical raw materials that solve the challenges of conventional stem cell-derived exosomes, due to the following characteristics:
Superiority as Next-Generation Biopharmaceuticals
- Low-cost, mass production: Possible to mass-produce at low cost through microbial culture.
- Expandability of function: Potential for functional expansion by carrying RNA and proteins as natural liposomes.
- Expandability of application: Unlike human-derived exosomes, oral administration is possible.
Contact for inquiries regarding this press release:
LAB Biotech Co., Ltd. Contact: Uesugi
TEL: 011-788-2795 MAIL: 231001k-uesugi@lab-biotech.co.jp
## Exploring New Therapeutic Possibilities Offered by Lactic Acid Bacteria EVs.
LAB Biotech Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Sapporo, Hokkaido; Representative Director and President: Mutsumi Murakami; hereinafter, LAB Biotech) has entered into a comprehensive joint research agreement with De-Western Therapeutix Institute Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Nagoya, Aichi; Representative Director and President: Yuichi Hidaka; hereinafter, "DWTI"), a drug discovery venture company with a proven track record in the ophthalmology field, to create ophthalmic therapeutics using lactic acid bacteria exosome-like structures, Extracellular Vesicles (EVs; hereinafter, lactic acid bacteria EVs). The joint research commenced on April 1, 2026, anticipating the progression of multiple projects.
The application of lactic acid bacteria EVs for ophthalmic disease treatment is rare worldwide, and a full-scale project exploring the new frontier of "Ophthalmology × Lactic Acid Bacteria EVs" is now underway.
## Background of the Joint Research
The lactic acid bacteria EVs that LAB Biotech focuses on for research possess the following characteristics, which differ from those of lactic acid bacteria cells:
### 1. Reports of Passage Through Intestinal Tract and Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB)
Numerous reports indicate that exosomes pass through the intestinal tract and BBB, migrating to other tissues. Lactic acid bacteria EVs are expected to possess a similar mechanism, suggesting their potential application as drug delivery carriers.
### 2. Some Lactic Acid Bacteria EVs Act to Suppress Inflammation
Normally, cell wall components of lactic acid bacteria induce inflammation. Therefore, applying lactic acid bacteria as ophthalmic therapeutics has been challenging. However, some lactic acid bacteria EVs highly purified by LAB Biotech have shown anti-inflammatory effects, thereby opening the possibility for application as eye drops.
## About DWTI
With the vision of "Bringing innovative new drugs from Japan to the world," DWTI is a drug discovery bio-venture that develops new drugs, primarily in the ophthalmology field and for unmet medical needs. It is one of the few ventures with a track record of launching its own developed products (Product name: Glanatec® Ophthalmic Solution 0.4%, generic name: Ripasudil Hydrochloride Hydrate).
Company Profile
Company Name: De-Western Therapeutix Institute Co., Ltd. Abbreviation: 『DWTI』
Representative: Yuichi Hidaka, Representative Director
Headquarters: 1-18-11 Nishiki, Naka-ku, Nagoya, Aichi
Business Activities: Pharmaceutical research and development
## About LAB Biotech
LAB Biotech is a certified Hokkaido University-originated biotech startup challenging the development of new lactic acid bacteria.
The company has cataloged over 900 unique isolated lactic acid bacteria strains and is progressing with multiple lactic acid bacteria projects based on this library. This project focuses on lactic acid bacteria EVs (Extracellular Vesicles) released from lactic acid bacteria cells, working on establishing purification technology, building an EVs library, and evaluating property and activity differences among strains.
Company Profile
Company Name: LAB Biotech Co., Ltd.
Representative: Mutsumi Murakami, Representative Director and President
Headquarters: Hokkaido University Business Spring, Kita 21 Nishi 12-2, Kita-ku, Sapporo
Business Activities: (1) Research and development of lactic acid bacteria and lactic acid bacteria metabolites
(2) Consulting services for new lactic acid bacteria development
(3) Manufacturing and sales of food ingredients such as lactic acid bacteria
(4) Contract testing for functional evaluation of functional materials, etc.
## Role Allocation of Both Companies
DWTI
in vivo efficacy evaluation, leadership in clinical trials, safety evaluation
Formulation design and prescription development for ophthalmic solutions
Development strategy formulation for pharmaceuticals and quasi-drugs
Promotion of commercialization and business development
LAB Biotech
Component analysis and quality standard setting for lactic acid bacteria EVs
Construction of lactic acid bacteria EVs library and provision of highly purified EVs
in vitro primary screening and selection of lactic acid bacteria EVs
*Self-reported. "Rare worldwide" refers to the fact that as of March 2026, less than 5 research papers aiming to apply lactic acid bacteria EVs to ophthalmic diseases were found in academic databases (Pubmed).
## Comments from LAB Biotech
○ Mutsumi Murakami, Representative Director and President
Lactic acid bacteria EVs are materials that can be called the culmination of our long-standing research. Collaborating with DWTI, a company with a proven track record in the highly specialized field of ophthalmology, is a significant step forward. We will solidify the potential of lactic acid bacteria EVs as next-generation biopharmaceuticals.
○ Takao Mori, Vice President and Head of Research and Development
Lactic acid bacteria EVs differ significantly in properties and activity among strains, and this diversity is their appeal as drug discovery materials. In this joint research, we will proceed with the selection of optimal EVs and the establishment of quality standards, accelerating the development of materials suitable for the ophthalmic field.
## Potential of Lactic Acid Bacteria EVs as Next-Generation Biopharmaceuticals
Lactic acid bacteria EVs, currently under research and development by LAB Biotech, are expected to differentiate themselves as next-generation biopharmaceutical raw materials that solve the challenges of conventional stem cell-derived exosomes, due to the following characteristics:
Superiority as Next-Generation Biopharmaceuticals
- Low-cost, mass production: Possible to mass-produce at low cost through microbial culture.
- Expandability of function: Potential for functional expansion by carrying RNA and proteins as natural liposomes.
- Expandability of application: Unlike human-derived exosomes, oral administration is possible.
Contact for inquiries regarding this press release:
LAB Biotech Co., Ltd. Contact: Uesugi
TEL: 011-788-2795 MAIL: 231001k-uesugi@lab-biotech.co.jp
FAQ
What are Lactic Acid Bacteria EVs?
Extracellular vesicles secreted by lactic acid bacteria, involved in intercellular communication, with potential for drug delivery and anti-inflammatory effects.
Why are Lactic Acid Bacteria EVs attracting attention in ophthalmology?
Due to their ability to pass through the intestinal tract and BBB, and confirmed anti-inflammatory effects in some EVs, they are expected for eye drop application.
What are the roles of DWTI and LAB Biotech in this collaboration?
DWTI handles clinical development and formulation design, while LAB Biotech focuses on EVs purification, library construction, and evaluation.