Veterinarian-founded Cat Healthcare Company "uniam" Launches Feline Longevity Research Project "uniam Longevity Lab," Commencing Activities with Future Pharmaceutical Development in Sight.
Veterinarian-founded cat healthcare company uniam has launched the "uniam Longevity Lab" feline longevity research project and commenced joint research with Miyagi University and Tohoku University Graduate School of Agricultural Science, with future pharmaceutical development in sight.
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- 📰 Published: April 2, 2026 at 19:00
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“Love and Medicine for a Cat’s Life.” With this mission, uniam Inc. (Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Ai Sugimoto; hereinafter, “the Company”), which develops cat-specific healthcare brands, announces the launch of “uniam Longevity Lab” (※1, hereinafter, ULL), a research hub aimed at scientifically extending the healthy lifespan of cats.
As its first project, joint research has commenced with Miyagi University and Tohoku University Graduate School of Agricultural Science.
At ULL, the physiological mechanisms related to feline longevity, such as gut environment, metabolism, and aging markers, will be scientifically analyzed. The aim is to apply these findings to food development and the bioscience field.
※1) “Longevity” does not mean “simply extending the time one lives,” but rather aims to “maximize the quality of life” by scientifically intervening in the aging process.
● Initiatives for Joint Research through Academic Collaboration
Through joint research with Miyagi University and Tohoku University Graduate School of Agricultural Science, ULL will comparatively analyze the gut environment of healthy long-lived cats and cats with disease tendencies, scientifically exploring factors contributing to longevity.
The aim of this research is to accumulate scientific knowledge that contributes to extending the healthy lifespan of cats by comprehensively evaluating changes in gut flora and other factors.
The gut environment is also known as the “second brain.” Approximately 70% of all immune cells are gathered in gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT), and it is known to influence overall health and behavioral characteristics.
The Company aims to extend healthy lifespans through food and pharmaceuticals by reflecting the knowledge gained from this research into food development and drug discovery research.
【Reference: Academic Knowledge Forming the Basis of This Research】
Paper Title: Aging impairs type 2 immune responses to nematodes associated with reduced gut microbiota responsiveness
Journal: Scientific Reports (2025)
Authors: Motoko Morimoto (Miyagi University), Sota Tanaka (Miyagi University), Kyoko Jinguji (Miyagi University), Wakako Ikeda-Ohtsubo (Tohoku University) et al.
● uniam’s Vision: Social Implementation of Research Results
Based on the knowledge gained from this joint research, the Company aims to develop food products in the future to reduce the risk of age-related diseases in cats.
We will continue to strengthen collaborations with academia and other companies to promote multifaceted research. Our long-term R&D vision includes future food and pharmaceutical development (※2).
※2) Pharmaceutical development is the Company’s unique long-term vision and is not included in the content of the joint research with the universities.
■ Recruitment for Partnerships
ULL is seeking academic partners to work together on solving challenges to accelerate research aimed at extending the healthy lifespan of cats.
As its first project, joint research has commenced with Miyagi University and Tohoku University Graduate School of Agricultural Science.
At ULL, the physiological mechanisms related to feline longevity, such as gut environment, metabolism, and aging markers, will be scientifically analyzed. The aim is to apply these findings to food development and the bioscience field.
※1) “Longevity” does not mean “simply extending the time one lives,” but rather aims to “maximize the quality of life” by scientifically intervening in the aging process.
● Initiatives for Joint Research through Academic Collaboration
Through joint research with Miyagi University and Tohoku University Graduate School of Agricultural Science, ULL will comparatively analyze the gut environment of healthy long-lived cats and cats with disease tendencies, scientifically exploring factors contributing to longevity.
The aim of this research is to accumulate scientific knowledge that contributes to extending the healthy lifespan of cats by comprehensively evaluating changes in gut flora and other factors.
The gut environment is also known as the “second brain.” Approximately 70% of all immune cells are gathered in gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT), and it is known to influence overall health and behavioral characteristics.
The Company aims to extend healthy lifespans through food and pharmaceuticals by reflecting the knowledge gained from this research into food development and drug discovery research.
【Reference: Academic Knowledge Forming the Basis of This Research】
Paper Title: Aging impairs type 2 immune responses to nematodes associated with reduced gut microbiota responsiveness
Journal: Scientific Reports (2025)
Authors: Motoko Morimoto (Miyagi University), Sota Tanaka (Miyagi University), Kyoko Jinguji (Miyagi University), Wakako Ikeda-Ohtsubo (Tohoku University) et al.
● uniam’s Vision: Social Implementation of Research Results
Based on the knowledge gained from this joint research, the Company aims to develop food products in the future to reduce the risk of age-related diseases in cats.
We will continue to strengthen collaborations with academia and other companies to promote multifaceted research. Our long-term R&D vision includes future food and pharmaceutical development (※2).
※2) Pharmaceutical development is the Company’s unique long-term vision and is not included in the content of the joint research with the universities.
■ Recruitment for Partnerships
ULL is seeking academic partners to work together on solving challenges to accelerate research aimed at extending the healthy lifespan of cats.