Vetanic, Advancing Animal Regenerative Medicine with iPS Cells, Forms Capital and Business Alliance with Sysmex Corporation and Kohjin Bio Co., Ltd.

Vetanic Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director and CEO: Akinori Mochizuki; hereinafter "the Company") is pleased to announce that it has concluded a capital and business alliance agreement with Sysmex Corporation (TSE Prime 6869, Headquarters: Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture; hereinafter "Sysmex") and Kohjin Bio Co., Ltd. (TSE Growth 177A, Headquarters: Sakado City, Saitama Prefecture; hereinafter "Kohjin Bio").

**■ Background and Purpose of the Alliance**
The Company has been promoting research and development with the aim of social implementation of cell therapy and regenerative medicine in the animal medical field using iPS cell technology.

Sysmex is a global leader in the clinical diagnostics field based on advanced analytical technology, operating businesses not only in human medicine but also in animal medicine. It also has strengths in the regenerative medicine field, including cell evaluation and quality control, and automation support for cell manufacturing using robotics technology.

On the other hand, Kohjin Bio possesses the capability to develop custom culture media that meet diverse customer needs, comprehensive manufacturing support capabilities from research to production, and a stable supply network for various regenerative medicine-related materials, expanding its business in Japan and Asia. The Company concluded a business alliance with Kohjin Bio in November 2024 to leverage these strengths in its product development.

This time, the Company has implemented a third-party allotment of shares to both companies and concluded a capital alliance. Through this alliance, we will integrate the strengths of each company and accelerate the following initiatives:

* Advancement of research and development and quality evaluation technology for cell therapy (iMSC) products
* Establishment and scale-up of manufacturing processes and supply systems
* Promotion of translational medicine between veterinary and human medicine based on the One Health concept

**■ Benefits of the Alliance**
Through this alliance, in addition to strengthening relationships through capital participation, the Company will incorporate the technological advantages of both companies and gain the following operational synergies:

* Development of animal cell evaluation systems utilizing Sysmex's inspection and analytical technologies
* Promotion of high-quality regenerative medicine products development utilizing Kohjin Bio's culture media and culture materials
* Creation of new business opportunities through joint efforts by the three companies, such as culture supernatant and alternative methods for animal experiments

**■ Future Outlook**
Through this capital and business alliance, the Company will strengthen its value chain from research and development to manufacturing, quality control, and commercialization, accelerating the provision of innovative treatment options: high-quality animal regenerative medicine derived from iPS cells, which can become a global standard.

In addition to creating iMSC products for dogs, cats, and horses, we will also explore the utilization of various iMSC culture supernatants and the development of alternative methods for animal experiments using various iPS cell-derived cells. In the future, we aim to expand into the human medical field, strengthen our competitiveness in the global market, and enhance corporate value.

**What are iPS cells?**
iPS cells (induced pluripotent stem cells) are artificially created pluripotent stem cells from adult cells. Professor Shinya Yamanaka and his colleagues at Kyoto University succeeded in creating versatile cells, similar to fertilized eggs, that can grow into any biological tissue by incorporating four reprogramming genes into differentiated and mature somatic cells such as skin cells. For this groundbreaking achievement, they were awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2012. Currently, numerous regenerative medicine technologies are being developed based on this technology both domestically and internationally, and two human iPS cell-derived regenerative medicine products have already been approved in Japan. However, it has been difficult to efficiently and stably establish iPS cells in animal species such as dogs and cats, but our company's technology has overcome this challenge and established clinically applicable animal iPS cells.

**What are Mesenchymal Stromal/Stem Cells (MSCs)?**
MSCs are one of the somatic stem cells found in living organisms. They secrete various anti-inflammatory substances (cytokines, etc.) that can suppress excessive inflammation, leading to various developments in the field of regenerative medicine (stem cell therapy) in human and animal medicine. MSC preparations that have already been approved as regenerative medicine products are also on the market, and a track record of disease treatment is being accumulated. However, the cells currently used clinically are collected and proliferated from fat, bone marrow, peripheral blood, etc., requiring a donor. iPS cell-derived MSCs do not require a donor and have been reported to have higher uniformity compared to somatic MSCs, making them promising as next-generation stem cell therapy.

**About Vetanic Co., Ltd.**
Vetanic was established in January 2021 as a startup venture officially recognized by Nihon University, based on the clinically applicable animal iPS cell establishment technology, a result of joint research between Nihon University and Keio University. We aim to develop high-quality regenerative medicine products, including mesenchymal stem cells, from iPS cells of dogs, cats, horses, etc., providing donor-free and sustainable treatment options, and realizing animal regenerative medicine that becomes a global standard worldwide.
For more details, please visit www.vetanic.com.

**About Sysmex Corporation**
Sysmex, in its group corporate philosophy "Sysmex Way," sets "Designing the evolution of healthcare." as its mission. Since its establishment in 1968, the company has primarily developed its business in the field of in vitro diagnostics, which involves examining blood, urine, and other samples, and now supports people's health in over 190 countries and and regions. Under its long-term vision "Better Healthcare Journey, Together.", Sysmex aims to make each individual's lifelong healthcare journey "Healthcare Journey" better by creating further innovations in the in vitro diagnostics field and challenging new areas. Sysmex provides new value through its unique technologies and solutions, as well as co-creation with various partners, and is committed to people's universal desire for a healthy and long life.
For more details about Sysmex, please visit www.sysmex.co.jp.
* "Healthcare Journey" is a registered trademark of Sysmex Corporation.

**About Kohjin Bio Co., Ltd.**
Kohjin Bio Co., Ltd., established in April 1981, primarily engages in the manufacturing and sales of cell culture media, in vitro diagnostic reagents, and bacterial inspection media, as well as contract cell processing. In recent years, the global regenerative medicine market has been rapidly expanding, and the company is focusing on research and development of culture solutions used for cell culture, while also working to further expand its business in the regenerative medicine field both domestically and internationally.
For more details about Kohjin Bio, please visit www.kohjin-bio.jp.

**■ Inquiries regarding this matter**
Vetanic Co., Ltd.
contact@vetanic.com