NanoFrontier Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture; Representative Director: Seiya Inoue; hereinafter "NanoFrontier") announces its selection for the FY2026 'Miyagi-Type Open Innovation Promotion Project' Consortium Creation Research Group Grant, implemented by the Miyagi Foundation for Industrial Promotion.

Background of Selection

Organic nanoparticles are a foundational material with anticipated industrial applications across diverse fields such as pharmaceuticals, electronic materials, energy, and environmental sensors. While the global nanomaterials market is projected to grow from approximately $16.2 billion in 2024 to about $54.5 billion by 2033 (CAGR 14.4%), the synthesis and dispersion technologies for organic nanoparticles have historically been individually optimized for each field. This has resulted in a lack of comprehensive comparative data systematically organized across particle types, synthesis methods, and dispersion conditions.

NanoFrontier is built upon nanoparticle generation technologies researched for over 30 years at Tohoku University and possesses an integrated R&D automation pipeline combining synthesis simulation, AI, and robotic evaluation. Leveraging this strength, and in collaboration with Tohoku University's Institute for Multidisciplinary Research for Advanced Materials—also based at Tohoku University's Katahira Campus—the company applied for and was selected for this research consortium to address the unmet need of 'systematic organization of organic nanoparticle synthesis and dispersion technologies,' a gap hindering broader industrial application.

Overview

The consortium will conduct the following four activities over an eight-month period from July 2026 (Reiwa 8) to February 2027 (Reiwa 9):

① Construction of Literature, Patent Survey, and Screening Database

Comprehensively collect existing technologies related to organic nanoparticle synthesis and dispersion from literature and patent databases. Construct an industrial application screening database by cross-sectionally organizing information on particle types, synthesis methods, dispersion conditions, and application fields.

② Design and Proposal of Novel Synthesis Processes

Combine screening results with the expertise held by both institutions to design and propose at least two new process concepts for the precise synthesis and dispersion of organic nanoparticles.

③ Acquisition of Proof-of-Concept Samples and Confirmation of Fundamental Physical Properties

Acquire proof-of-concept samples based on the designed process concepts and confirm fundamental physical properties such as particle size distribution, morphology, crystallinity, and dispersion state.

④ Selection of JST A-STEP Application Theme and Research Plan Formulation

Comprehensively evaluate the screening results and proof-of-concept data to select the most promising theme from multiple industrial application cases—including high-thermal-conductivity coolants, rare-metal-free battery electrolytes, functional catalysts, and poorly water-soluble pharmaceuticals. Formulate a research proposal targeting the next year's JST A-STEP Industry-Academia Collaboration Program (Functional Materials Field).

Implementation Structure

Lead Organization (Overall Coordination, Commercialization Planning, Screening Design)

NanoFrontier Co., Ltd.:

Representative Director Seiya Inoue, Manager Masashi Takashima, Researcher Katsuya Namiki, Researcher Katsuya Saito

Collaborating Organization (Research Guidance, Equipment, and Analytical Support)

Associate Professor Hiroki Oka, Institute for Multidisciplinary Research for Advanced Materials, Tohoku University

Both organizations are based within Tohoku University's Katahira Campus and will advance this consortium under a close collaborative framework with prior joint research experience.

Future Initiatives

Based on the screening database and proof-of-concept data developed through this consortium, the company aims to apply for the next year's JST A-STEP program in the most promising application area. Beyond that, the company plans to progressively advance toward productization and business development in various application fields from FY2028 onward, aiming to continuously create multiple new ventures from Tohoku University-originated organic nanoparticle synthesis platforms.

Executive Comment

"We are deeply honored to be selected for the Miyagi-Type Open Innovation Promotion Project. The systematic organization of organic nanoparticle synthesis has been a global gap area, hindering the expansion of industrial applications. Through collaboration with Tohoku University's Institute for Multidisciplinary Research for Advanced Materials, we will combine over 30 years of research accumulation with our R&D automation pipeline to build a platform from Miyagi and Sendai that fills this gap. Starting from the outcomes of this consortium, we will steadily advance toward next year's JST A-STEP application and subsequent commercialization."

(Representative Director, Seiya Inoue)

About the Miyagi-Type Open Innovation Promotion Project

This subsidy program, implemented by the Miyagi Foundation for Industrial Promotion, supports the operational costs of 'Project Creation Research Groups' formed by small and medium-sized enterprises in Miyagi Prefecture in collaboration with universities and public research institutions. The goal is to promote the advancement and high-value-added development of local industries. The program targets research groups aiming to apply for national or other proposal-based technology development programs in the following year.

Official Website: https://www.joho-miyagi.or.jp/

Company Overview

Company Name: NanoFrontier Co., Ltd. Representative: Representative Director Seiya Inoue Headquarters: Room 215, Tohoku University Center for Industry-University Collaboration in Advanced Materials Research and Development, 2-1-1 Katahira, Aoba-ku, Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture Established: April 7, 2025 Business Activities:

Research, development, manufacturing, and sales of reagents and functional materials using organic nanoparticle technology

Contract manufacturing of organic nanoparticles and provision of related technologies

Licensing of technologies and technical consulting in the field of organic nanoparticle technology

Official Website: https://nanofrontier.jp

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