Announcement Regarding Investment in E-derm Co., Ltd.
, a Drug Discovery Venture Based on Stem Cell Protection and Regeneration Technology
June 23, 2025
ROHTO Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Head office: Ikuno-ku, Osaka; President and Representative Director: Masafumi Sugimoto) is pleased to announce that it has invested in e-derm Co., Ltd. (Head office: Tokyo University of Science; Representative Director: Nobuhiro Ando; hereinafter "e-derm"), a drug discovery venture, as a subscriber to a third-party allocation of shares in its Series A round, along with UntroD Capital Japan Co., Ltd. (Head office: Minato-ku, Tokyo; President and Representative Director: Akihiko Nagata), ANRI (Head office: Minato-ku, Tokyo; Managing Partner: Yasunori Samata), and Professor Hiromitsu Nakauchi of Stanford University (California, USA).
Purpose of investment
Under our overall management vision, "Connect for Well-being," we are promoting our OTC and Skincare Business, which support people's health and happiness, as well as our growth businesses in Regenerative medicine and Ophthalmology area. E-derm's innovative drug discovery technology, based on the protection and regeneration of stem cells, is highly compatible with our vision. Through this investment, we will support the development of innovative therapeutic drugs and contribute to addressing unmet medical needs and realizing a healthy and long-lived society.
About E-Derm
E-derm Inc. is a drug discovery startup founded on cutting-edge research on tissue stem cells by Professor Emi Nishimura of the Department of Aging and Regenerative Biology, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo. Aiming to develop innovative treatments for intractable skin and hair diseases and promote healthy longevity, E-derm Inc. is developing pharmaceuticals utilizing its unique screening technology. For diseases where tissue regeneration by tissue stem cells is essential, such as alopecia, skin ulcers, and dry eye, E-derm Inc. has discovered several promising compounds using a world-first drug discovery technology that promotes the protection and regeneration of stem cells with compounds without the need for stem cell transplantation, and has obtained related patents both domestically and internationally.
E-derm Co., Ltd.
| location |
3rd Floor, Building 2, Tokyo University of Science, 1-5-45 Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo |
| Establishment |
2017 |
| representative |
Representative Director: Nobuhiro Ando |
| Business details |
Development of therapeutic drugs for intractable diseases caused by stem cell depletion
|
| Home page |
https://eaderm.com/ |
Future outlook
Driven by a passion for unraveling the unknown and a scientific mindset, our company boldly takes on new challenges to propose new value to meet the needs of our customers and patients. This attitude is deeply rooted in our corporate culture, and by further strengthening this "science-based corporate structure," we aim to realize well-being for people around the world through our diverse businesses.
Through this investment, we will support the growth of E-derm Inc., and we are confident that by combining the technologies and know-how of both companies, we can create new value. In particular, we expect synergistic effects with our existing businesses in the area of skin and hair health. We will continue to work towards creating innovation and expanding our business areas through active collaboration with external partners.
Impact on performance
The impact of this matter on our consolidated financial results for fiscal year 2025 is expected to be minor. We will promptly inform you of any further matters that require disclosure in the future.