NIPPON EXPRESS HOLDINGS, INC., on Wednesday, April 10 acquired a stake in KINS Co., Ltd. (hereinafter "KINS"), which provides comprehensive microbiome care services, as an NX Global Innovation Fund project.

KINS' logo: https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/img/202404169547-O1-D1p8kA8O

NX's logo: https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/img/202404169547-O2-4nB44H9J

Profile of KINS

KINS is a startup company that aims to create a world where microbiome care (*1) is seen as a matter of course. KINS proposes to care for the resident microbiota on and within the human body, and to this end it conducts research, development, and sales in an integrated manner. The company specializes in the microbiome (*2) and, seeking to provide definitive solutions to chronic diseases, it is expanding its business in Japan and several other Asian countries with the aim of conveying the concept of microbiome care for not only humans but for dogs and cats as well to drive a shift from symptomatic treatment to fundamental treatment.

The company also has its own laboratory where it accumulates and analyzes data provided by users on resident skin, scalp, and intestinal microbiota to aid in the development of various products. This data is then used to form partnerships with research institutions for microbiome drug discovery focusing on resident microbiota.

Background and objectives of the investment

The Nippon Express (hereinafter "NX") Group is working to enhance its corporate value and solve social issues to realize its long-term vision of becoming a "logistics company with a strong presence in the global marketplace."

With this investment, the NX Group will consider utilizing the cell and specimen storage service (*3) offered by NX Wanbishi Archives Co., Ltd., in the microbiome bank (*4) operated by KINS, and providing end-to-end transport of specimens from overseas clinics to laboratories and storage facilities in Japan. The NX Group's comprehensive capabilities will be leveraged to support KINS' business expansion from a logistics perspective and create new business opportunities by expanding awareness of KINS within the healthcare industry, identified by the Group as a priority industry.

The NX Group will continue addressing social issues through business co-creation with startup companies in Japan and overseas and helping put in place sustainable societies where all people can lead affluent and fulfilling lives.

Profile of investee

Company name: KINS Co., Ltd.

Head office location: Ebisunishi 1-33-6-206, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo

Year of establishment: 2018

Representative: Yutaka Shimokawa

Capital: 1,134million yen (including capital reserve)

Employees: 60 (as of March 2024)

Business lines: Consumer healthcare business, clinic business, medical business

Website: https://corporate.yourkins.com/

Notes:

(*1) Balancing and caring for resident microbiota to maintain beauty and health

(*2) A microbial community that exists in soil and water, as well as on the surface of humans' bodies and in their intestines

(*3) A service that stores and transports cells, specimens, drug substances, etc., in liquid nitrogen tanks, deep freezers, and cold storage facilities

(*4) A project to preserve bacteria collected from human skin, etc.

About the NX Group: https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/attach/202404169547-O1-91fXgoP6.pdf

NX official website: https://www.nipponexpress.com/

Nippon Express Group's official LinkedIn account: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nippon-express-group/