Draft:Chitose Group

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Chitose Group (ちとせグループ) is a group of biotechnology companies.

The group operates projects in microalgae, sustainable agriculture, biopharmaceuticals, and artificial intelligence. Headquartered in Singapore under the holding company Chitose Bio Evolution Pte. Ltd., its primary research and development activities are conducted by Chitose Laboratory Corp. in Kawasaki, Japan.[1]

History and Corporate Structure

The group originated in November 2002 with the founding of Chitose Laboratory Corp. in Kawasaki, Japan. In October 2011, CEO Tomohiro Fujita established the holding company Chitose Bio Evolution Pte. Ltd. in Singapore.[2] Between 2012 and 2025, the group established agricultural and microalgae production subsidiaries in Malaysia, Brunei, Thailand, and Vietnam.[3]

Business Overview

In 2021, Chitose Group launched MATSURI, a collaborative initiative to promote decarbonization and develop industrial applications for microalgae biomass as a substitute for petroleum in fuels, plastics, food and cosmetics.[4][5] In 2025, the initiative was expanded to include AI-driven bioproduction, cell line development, resource circulation, and sustainable agriculture.[6]

In April 2023, it began operating “CHITOSE Carbon Capture Central (C4)”, a 5-hectare microalgae production facility in Sarawak, Malaysia. The site utilizes flat-panel photobioreactors and captures CO2 emitted from a neighbouring coal-fired power plant.[7][8][9] The project was commissioned by Japan's New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) with a total investment scale of 58 billion JPY (~$400 million).[10][11]

In 2023, Japanese cosmetics company Shiseido invested 1 billion yen in Chitose Group and joined MATSURI with a goal of developing microalgae-based ingredients for cosmetics and containers.[12][13]

In March 2025, Chitose Group raised 7.3 billion JPY (approximately $49 million) through a third-party allotment from a group of Japanese investors, including Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation and Mizuho Bank. The company stated that the capital would be used to expand its microalgae production facilities, AI-managed fermentation production and cell line development for biopharmaceuticals.[14] Following this capital increase, Nikkei Biotechnology reported that the group's market valuation was estimated at 117 billion JPY, categorizing Chitose Group as a Japanese unicorn company.[15][16]

Establishment of the CHO-MK cell line

In 2016, Chitose Group established the CHO-MK host cell line for production of therapeutic proteins, derived from primary Chinese hamster ovary tissues. The CHO-MK cell line is characterized by a doubling time of approximately 10 hours.[17][18]

In December 2025, the group partnered with Fujifilm Biosciences to supply specialized culture media for CHO-MK cells.[19]

Establishment of Human Amniotic epithelial cell line for gene and cell Therapy (HAT)

In 2022, Chitose Group established the HAT cell line (Human Amniotic epithelial cell line for gene and cell Therapy), a novel human amniotic epithelial-derived cell line for the production of viral vectors.[20] The line is reported to have a higher proportion of full capsids relative to the HEK293 cells.[21][22]

AI Bio-Production Technology

Chitose Group has applied AI to fermentation process management.[23] In June 2025, in collaboration with Ajinomoto Co., the group reported that its AI model, when applied to filamentous fungi cultivation, doubled protein production yields in trials.[24][25] In 2025, Chitose Group launched "Metrics MATSURI" to establish a common AI bioproduction infrastructure. [26]

References

  1. ^ "About | Family of Biotechnology Companies -CHITOSE GROUP-". chitose-bio.com. Retrieved 2026-05-21.
  2. ^ "About | Family of Biotechnology Companies -CHITOSE GROUP-". chitose-bio.com. Retrieved 2026-04-22.
  3. ^ "藻類から燃料、CO2実質ゼロ　ちとせ研究所が大型施設" [Chitose Laboratory to develop large-scale facility using algae for fuel, achieving virtually zero CO2 emissions.]. Chitose Group. Archived from the original on 2023-06-28. Retrieved 10 April 2026.
  4. ^ 河田, 孝雄 (2021-05-14). "ちとせグループ、藻類活用企業連携「MATSURI」を20機関で始動" [Chitose Group launches "MATSURI," a collaboration of 20 companies utilizing algae] (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 2021-05-14. Retrieved 10 April 2026.
  5. ^ "ちとせバイオなど20社・団体、藻類の量産・製品化で連携" [Chitose Bio and 20 other companies and organizations collaborate on mass production and commercialization of algae.] (in Japanese). 2022-01-26. Archived from the original on 2026-04-10. Retrieved 10 April 2026.
  6. ^ "ちとせグループ、藻類の枠越えバイオ化推進". 2025-09-04.
  7. ^ "Grand Opening Held in Malaysia for the World's Largest Microalgae Production Facility". NEDO New Energy and Industril Development Organization. Archived from the original on 2023-05-09. Retrieved 10 April 2026.
  8. ^ "藻類から燃料、CO2実質ゼロ ちとせ研究所が大型施設". 日本経済新聞 (in Japanese). 2023-06-15. Retrieved 2026-04-10.
  9. ^ BERNAMA (2023-03-28). "CHITOSE BEGINS OPERATING WORLD'S LARGEST MICROALGAE PRODUCTION FACILITY". BERNAMA. Retrieved 2026-04-10.
  10. ^ "バイオジェット燃料の普及を推進する研究開発6件を始動 | ニュース | NEDO" [Six research and development projects launched to promote the widespread use of bio-jet fuel]. www.nedo.go.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved 2026-04-10.
  11. ^ CB, Hithaishi (2023-04-12). "Japan's NEDO commits $400M Green Innovation Fund to aid CHITOSE". AgroSpectrum Asia. Retrieved 2026-04-10.
  12. ^ Ltd, Shiseido Co. "Shiseido invests in and forms strategic partnership with biotech company CHITOSE Group | NEWS RELEASE | Shiseido Company". corp.shiseido.com (in Japanese). Retrieved 2026-04-10.
  13. ^ Nelson, Ryan (2023-07-20). "Shiseido Joins Matsuri Project To Help Build Decarbonized 'Society Based On Algae'". Insights. Retrieved 2026-04-10.
  14. ^ "Chitose Bio Evolution raises $49M through third-party allotment for expansion". TNGlobal. 2025-03-11. Retrieved 2026-04-10.
  15. ^ 日経バイオテクONLINE. "隠れた和製ユニコーン、ちとせグループの藤田CEOに聞く「藻類産業化のシナリオ」". 日経バイオテクONLINE (in Japanese). Retrieved 2026-04-10.
  16. ^ "ちとせグループ、和製ユニコーンに 海外で藻を大量生産" [Chitose Group becomes a Japanese unicorn, mass-production of algae overseas]. 日本経済新聞 (in Japanese). 2025-04-16. Retrieved 2026-04-22.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  17. ^ Masuda, Kenji; Kubota, Michi; Nakazawa, Yuto; Iwama, Chigusa; Watanabe, Kazuhiko; Ishikawa, Naoto; Tanabe, Yumiko; Kono, Satoru; Tanemura, Hiroki; Takahashi, Shinichi; Makino, Tomohiro; Okumura, Takeshi; Horiuchi, Takayuki; Nonaka, Koichi; Murakami, Sei (2024-06-01). "Establishment of a novel cell line, CHO-MK, derived from Chinese hamster ovary tissues for biologics manufacturing". Journal of Bioscience and Bioengineering. 137 (6): 471–479. doi:10.1016/j.jbiosc.2024.02.005. ISSN 1389-1723.
  18. ^ SHIMBUN,LTD, NIKKAN KOGYO. "ちとせ研、バイオ医薬製造用細胞株 受託能力5倍" [Chitose Laboratory increases contract manufacturing capacity fivefold for cell lines used in biopharmaceutical production.]. 日刊工業新聞電子版 (in Japanese). Retrieved 2026-04-10.
  19. ^ "CHITOSE and FUJIFILM Biosciences Form Strategic Alliance to Drive Global Innovation and Biopharmaceutical Manufacturing". fujifilmbiosciences.fujifilm.com. Retrieved 2026-04-10.
  20. ^ 日経バイオテクONLINE. "MAB組合のちとせ研究所、AAVベクターを高生産する新規国産細胞株の取得に成功" [Chitose Laboratory, a member of the MAB Association, has succeeded in acquiring a novel domestic cell line that produces high levels of AAV vectors.]. 日経バイオテクONLINE (in Japanese). Retrieved 2026-04-10.
  21. ^ Hirai, Yugo; Chang, Yu-Hsin; Yamamoto, Arisa; Asahina, Ryo; Moromizato, Rena; Kinoshita, Mawo; Aizawa, Kazuko; Miyai, Manami; Kubota, Michi; Horiuchi, Takayuki; Nakamura, Kazuaki (2025-12-11). "Establishment of a novel human amniotic epithelial-derived cell line, HAT, for high-yield AAV vector production". Molecular Therapy Methods & Clinical Development. 33 (4). doi:10.1016/j.omtm.2025.101594. ISSN 2329-0501. PMID 41049691.
  22. ^ "遺伝子治療のウイルス素材「AAV」を効率製造 ちとせ研究所が開発" [Chitose Laboratory develops efficient production method for "AAV," a viral material used in gene therapy.]. 日本経済新聞 (in Japanese). 2025-12-17. Archived from the original on 2025-12-24. Retrieved 2026-04-10.
  23. ^ "Chitose Laboratory: Combining fermentation and AI for the food production of the future". Sustainable Japan by The Japan Times. 2021-06-28. Retrieved 2026-04-10.
  24. ^ "AI制御で微生物培養、たんぱく質の生産2倍に 味の素・ちとせ研究所" [AI-controlled microbial culture doubles protein production by Ajinomoto and Chitose Laboratory.]. 日本経済新聞 (in Japanese). 2025-06-05. Archived from the original on 2025-06-05. Retrieved 2026-04-10.
  25. ^ "ちとせ研・味の素、微生物培養をAI制御 たんぱく質の生産性2倍" [Chitose Laboratory and Ajinomoto develop microbial culture AI control, doubling protein productivity.]. 日刊工業新聞電子版. Archived from the original on 2025-06-05. Retrieved 2026-04-10.
  26. ^ 日経バイオテクONLINE. "ちとせグループ、エンジニアリング企業とAI駆動バイオ生産システム開発を手掛けるコンソ設立" [Chitose Group establishes consortium with engineering company to develop AI-driven bio-production systems.]. 日経バイオテクONLINE (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 2026-04-09. Retrieved 2026-04-10.

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