Lifeness Inc. will host the \u201cAd-Venture Forum Tokyo,\u201d a career forum for R&D-focused startups recruiting young researchers\u2014including master\u2019s and doctoral students, as well as postdocs\u2014conducting research at universities and graduate schools, on Sunday, November 22, 2026. Metagen Co., Ltd., whose vision is \u201cZero Disease\u201d and which aims to provide personalized healthcare based on the gut microbiome, has confirmed its participation in this forum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Students, graduate students, post-doctoral fellows, and others who want to take on the challenge of world-changing R&D are welcome to attend the Add Venture Forum, where you can interact with the company.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Even when people eat the same food, the effects may not be the same for everyone. One of the factors behind these differences is the \u201cgut microbiome,\u201d which varies from person to person. Metagen Co., Ltd. is a research and development-oriented venture that aims to realize a \u201cdisease-free society\u201d through \u201cGut Design\u00ae,\u201d based on \u201cMetabologenomics\u00ae\u201d\u2014a proprietary gut environment assessment method that analyzes the combination of genetic information from gut bacteria and information on the metabolites they actually produce. Starting with the gut environment, we are continuing our challenge to transform the very nature of healthcare\u2014shifting from \u201cthe same health foods for everyone\u201d to \u201cnutrition and health tailored to each individual\u2019s gut environment.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Metagen was founded by world-renowned researchers who decided not to let their research findings end with academic papers alone, but to bring them to society through commercial ventures. Shinji Fukuda, President and CEO, continues to conduct cutting-edge research on gut microbiota and was selected for the \u201cHighly Cited Researchers 2024\u201d list, which recognizes researchers with significant influence in their respective fields based on metrics such as the number of citations their papers receive. In addition, Takuji Yamada, Executive Vice President and CTO, received the \u201cMinister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Award for Science and Technology (Research Category)\u201d in 2020. Furthermore, Metagen itself was selected in 2026 for the \u201c300 Thriving Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises and Small Businesses for Fiscal Year 2025,\u201d a program organized by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and the Small and Medium Enterprise Agency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One prime example of this social implementation is \u201cBody Granola,\u201d developed in collaboration with Calbee, Inc. and others. The service analyzes users\u2019 gut microbiomes and, based on the results, provides granola made with a blend of ingredients tailored to their individual gut environments. The service launched in 2023, and by April 2026, the cumulative number of users had surpassed 50,000. Furthermore, with the launch of sales in Singapore and other initiatives, the social implementation of personalized healthcare is progressing both domestically and internationally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Venture companies that create new industries and change conventional concepts require not only the development of solutions, but also a wide variety of \"research and development\" in areas such as education and human resource development. Those who wish to take on the challenge of world-changing R&D are invited to participate in the Adventure Forum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n