Mitate Zepto Technica, Inc. Partners in National AI Semiconductor Initiative to Advance Genome Analysis
Collaboration with RIKEN, Tohoku University, and Keio University aims to accelerate edge AI deployment and real-world applications
Mitate Zepto Technica, Inc. (hereinafter "MZT"), based in Tokyo's Shibuya district, announced that it has joined the national research initiative "Next-Generation Edge AI Semiconductor Research and Development Program" promoted by the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST). MZT participates as a designated social implementation and commercialisation partner for the research theme "Accelerating Edge Intelligence for AI for Science" (Principal Investigator: Makoto Taiji, Program Director, TRIP Headquarters, RIKEN).
This research theme aims to achieve advanced computational infrastructure through the integration of AI technology and next-generation edge semiconductors, with genome analysis as one of its key application domains. MZT participates as an organisation responsible for the productisation and social implementation of research outcomes through its proprietary genome-analysis accelerator "RASEN."
Background
Since its founding in 2020, MZT has pursued a distinctive approach to genome analysis: purpose-built ASIC acceleration. Following technology validation through joint research with Tohoku University and other partners, MZT now participates as an R&D institution responsible for social implementation under this research theme.
MZT's Role in the Program
Within this research theme, MZT will integrate AI research outcomes from RIKEN and Tohoku University into the RASEN architecture and lead the R&D work toward social implementation through ASIC development and productisation. As the industrial partner bridging research and real-world deployment, the company targets social implementation by 2029.
Program Overview
Research theme: Accelerating edge intelligence for AI for science
Promoting agency: Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST)
Principal investigator: Makoto Taiji, Program Director, TRIP Headquarters, RIKEN
Participating institutions: RIKEN, Tohoku University, Keio University, Mitate Zepto Technica
MZT's participation start: April 2026 (FY2026)
JST program period: FY2025 onwards
Comment from Keisuke Harashima, President & CEO, Mitate Zepto Technica:
"It is a tremendous honour that we can lead the social implementation of this research theme through the acceleration of genome analysis via dedicated semiconductors -- a challenge we have pursued since MZT's founding. RASEN is at exactly the right inflexion point, transitioning from research to real-world deployment. We will use this participation to accelerate commercialisation across healthcare, drug discovery, and research infrastructure."
