Real Tech Fund develops functional materials applying biomimetic technology
Invested in "Intelligent Surface Co., Ltd."

Euglena Investment Co., Ltd.

　Euglena Investment Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo, Representative: Akihiko Nagata) has launched a functional material "MPC Polymer" that utilizes biomimetic technology * 1 as a new investment destination for the venture capital fund "Real Tech Fund". We are pleased to announce that we have invested in Intelligent Surface Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as Intelligent Surface Co., Ltd.) to be developed.
* 1 Biomimetic technology: An approach to technological development that imitates and applies the excellent structures and functions of living organisms. Also called biomimetics.

　The general term for the membrane structures that make up human cells is called biological membrane, which is composed of phospholipids * 2 and proteins. In modern medicine, many medical devices such as artificial blood vessels that are embedded in the body are used, but devices made of artificial materials are recognized as foreign substances in the body and cause biological reactions such as protein adsorption and blood clots. You may.
* 2 Phospholipid: A type of lipid that is a major component of biological membranes. It has hydrophobic and hydrophilic amphipathic properties like surfactants.

　Intelligent Surface is developing "MPC polymer" that contains the same components as phospholipids of human biological membranes as a state-of-the-art biomimetic technology. When a medical device to be embedded in the body is coated with this "MPC polymer", the surface of the medical device is recognized as a biological membrane, which makes it possible to develop a medical device that does not easily cause a biological reaction. In addition, the surface coated with "MPC polymer" exhibits high lubricity and antifouling properties, so it is expected to be used in industrial products.

　In addition, the company is a subsidized project of the 2017 "R & D-type venture support project / commercialization support for R & D-type ventures in the seed period" by the National Research and Development Corporation New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (hereinafter, NEDO). , STS), we are proceeding with the commercialization of "MPC Polymer". This time, the Real Tech Fund will underwrite the shares issued by the company through a third-party allotment, and will support the research and development, sales and marketing activities of Intelligent Surface as a certified venture capital in NEDO's STS.
　The details are as follows.

Investing in Intelligent Surface Co., Ltd.

■ About the outline and support contents of Intelligent Surface Co., Ltd.
　Date of establishment: May 2, 2016
　location　: 5-4-19 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa City, Chiba Prefecture Todai Kashiwa Venture Plaza 305
　Representative　: Representative Director Yoshihiro Kiritsu
　Capital　: 20.75 million yen (excluding capital reserve)
　Business: Development, manufacturing and sales of functional materials and related technologies
　HP　　: Http://intelligent-surfaces.co.jp
　Support content: Promotion of cooperation with fund-funded companies, support for research and development, sales and marketing activities
　Investment period: August 2017

■ About Realtech Fund (HP: http://www.realtech.fund)
　Our 100% subsidiary of Euglena Investment, SMBC Nikko Securities, Ribanesu "Limited Liability Company was founded three companies Euglena in venture capital funds that SMBC Nikko Ribanesu capital" to management and operation, the investment development of the real tech venture as the main purpose is. With a total of 30 participating companies and a fund size of 9.4 billion yen (as of October 2017), it is one of the largest real tech-specialized funds in Japan. We are investing in and nurturing real tech ventures with the following operating companies that are investors.

Investors: Euglena Investment Co., Ltd., SMBC Nikko Securities Co., Ltd., Leave a Nest Co., Ltd., Japan Tobacco Inc., Mitsui Fudosan Co., Ltd.,
　　　　　Yoshinoya Holdings Co., Ltd., Rohto Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Kanetsu Co., Ltd., Dentsu Inc., Tokyo Century Co., Ltd., Kyowa Hakko Kirin Co., Ltd.,
　　　　　Aizawa Securities Co., Ltd., Shimizu Corporation, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, ANA Holdings Inc., THK Co., Ltd., Toyo Aluminum Co., Ltd.,
　　　　　Dai-ichi Life Insurance Co., Ltd., CQ Ventures Co., Ltd., East Japan Railway Company, Nihon Unisys, Ltd., JCU Co., Ltd., Toyobo Co., Ltd.,
　　　　　SoftBank Corp., Mitsubishi Electric Corp., AS ONE Corporation, ShinMaywa Industries, Ltd., Mitsubishi Corporation, Mitsui Chemicals Corp.,
　　　　　Isuzu Motors Ltd. (30 companies in total, as of October 2017)

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-Contact for inquiries from the press-
Euglena Co., Ltd. Corporate Communication Division