Rohto Pharmaceutical holds "Phytoexosome Research Meeting"
– Discussing challenges toward scientific understanding, quality evaluation, and social implementation with experts from academic societies and the medical field.
October 13, 2026
ROHTO Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Osaka City, President: Hidetoshi Segi) has established the "Phytoexosome Research Group" to deepen the scientific understanding of "phytoexosomes," which are exosome-like lipid bilayer vesicles derived from plants, algae, fermented products, microorganisms, etc., and to discuss their potential and challenges for social implementation.
On October 10, 2026, we held the "1st Phytoexosome Research Society Academic Meeting," inviting researchers, dermatologists, and experts in cosmetic medicine. At the academic meeting, we shared the latest scientific findings with experts from various fields and discussed topics such as the definition and quality evaluation of phytoexosomes.
Going forward, we will contribute to the healthy development of this research field by widely disseminating the knowledge and discussions gained at the workshop.
Why the "Phytoexosome Research Group" now?
Extracellular vesicles (EVs), including exosomes, have been studied extensively as carriers of various types of information between cells. In recent years, research has expanded to include extracellular vesicles originating from diverse organisms, and studies are now progressing on lipid bilayer vesicles derived from plants, microorganisms, and other organisms. These are thought to contain diverse molecular information specific to their originating organism, and are referred to as "phytoexosomes." Scientifically elucidating their properties and functions will not only deepen our understanding of life science itself, but also have the potential to connect to a wide range of fields in the future, such as food, cosmetics, and healthcare.
On the other hand, while expectations for this research and industrial application are rising, there is not necessarily a unified approach established regarding separation and purification methods, quality evaluation, mechanisms of action, efficacy, and safety. Now, more than ever, as research progresses and its impact on society is expanding simultaneously, we believe it is important to deepen discussions with researchers and medical professionals from different fields of expertise regarding how to scientifically understand and evaluate these substances.
Therefore, our company established this research group with the aim of strengthening the scientific foundation of phytoexosome research. We have created a forum where members with diverse expertise in basic research, clinical research, and corporate research can share their knowledge and discuss how to approach phytoexosomes as a research subject and what kind of scientific verification should be carried out.
The 1st Phytoexosome Research Society Academic Meeting was held.
On October 10, 2026, the "1st Phytoexosome Research Society Academic Meeting" was held at Rohto Pharmaceutical's Tokyo branch.
At the academic conference, experts shared their insights on the latest trends in exosome research and its clinical applications in the dermatological field, and we discussed the potential of phytoexosome research and the challenges for future research. Rohto Pharmaceutical also reported on its research results to date regarding phytoexosomes derived from algae and rice fermentation, as well as their characteristics and functionality. In the general discussion, under the theme of "Challenges and Prospects for the Practical Application of Phytoexosomes," we exchanged opinions from different specialized fields on what kind of scientific evaluation is necessary and how to translate research results into social implementation.
Program for the 1st Academic Meeting
- Chairperson: Professor Emeritus Makoto Kawashima, Tokyo Women's Medical University
- "Latest Trends in Exosome Research" - Professor Yusuke Yoshioka, Tokyo Medical University
- "Clinical Application of Exosomes in the Dermatological Field" Dr. Tatsuro Kamakura, Chief Director, Seishin Cosmetic Clinic
- "Possibilities and Future Challenges in Phytoexosome Research" - Professor Taichi Hara, Waseda University
- "The Cutting Edge of Phytoexosome Research and Development: Focusing on Algae and Rice Fermentation-Derived Phytoexosomes" Shun Kimura, Basic Technology Research Department, ROHTO Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
- General Discussion: "Challenges and Prospects for the Practical Application of Phytoexosomes"
- Summary: Professor Takahiro Ochitani, Tokyo Medical University
Scenes from the 1st Academic Meeting
Aiming for the appropriate social implementation of "phytoexosomes" and the establishment of new research fields.
At the beginning of the meeting, Professor Makoto Kawashima stated, "Regarding exosomes, there are aspects where their practical application in society has preceded research. In order to appropriately implement phytoexosomes in society in the future, I believe that an important role of this research group is to create a common scientific understanding by having experts from different fields such as basic research, clinical practice, and industry engage in repeated discussions on their origin, quality, preservation, and clinical evidence."
In his concluding remarks, Professor Takahiro Ochitani stated, "Extracellular vesicles derived from plants and fermenting microorganisms have great potential as a new research area connecting life science and industry. However, it is crucial to carefully build up scientific verification regarding their definition, quality, safety, mechanism of action, and usefulness in humans. I hope that this research meeting will serve as a catalyst for further cross-disciplinary discussions and that in the future, this will develop into a research area that contributes to healthy longevity through food, cosmetics, and preventive/preventive medicine."