— Advancing the Practical Application of Non-Invasive Assessment Technology That Analyzes Breath Data toEstimate the Likelihood of Liver Disease —
VOCs DeepTech Lab Co., Ltd. (headquartered on the 9th floor of Building 2, Keio University Shinanomachi Campus, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan; hereinafter “VDL”) has obtained an exclusive license to relevant intellectual property held by Keio University, Kyoto University and Tokai University relating to liver disease assessment technology and other applications using mass spectrometry data from volatile metabolites in exhaled breath.
A defining feature of this technology is that it treats breath not only as a sample to be collected and analyzed, but also as data for AI-based assessment. AI is trained on mass spectrometry data obtained from multiple volatile metabolites in breath to construct a predictive model for liver disease assessment. The technology encompasses assessment methods, devices, software and related applications that output the probability that a subject has liver disease when new breath data are entered into the model.
By analyzing data from multiple compounds rather than relying solely on a single compound as an indicator, VDL aims to bring non-invasive assessment technology combining breath data and AI into practical use.
The license covers all jurisdictions in which national or regional phase applications will subsequently be filed and extends for the lifetime of the relevant patents. It permits VDL to grant sublicenses to third parties. Under the agreement, the universities will not grant licenses to third parties for the rights covered by the agreement.
1 Background
Exhaled breath contains a wide variety of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) originating from metabolic processes, oxidation reactions and other processes within the body. Breath-based assessment is being studied as a new non-invasive approach because it places less physical burden on the subject than blood sampling and may be suitable for repeated measurements.
VDL is developing an integrated set of technologies spanning breath VOC collection, mass spectrometry and data analysis. Through ongoing scientific validation, the company aims to translate university research findings and intellectual property into practical applications.
2. Intellectual Property Covered by the License
The relevant intellectual property licensed to VDL includes technology relating to “an assessment method, an assessment device and a program for assessing liver disease, and a method for screening therapeutic drugs for liver disease.”
| Title of invention | Assessment method, assessment device and program for assessing liver disease, and method for screening therapeutic drugs for liver disease |
| Application number | PCT/JP2026/022795 |
| Filing date (priority date) | June 19, 2026 (June 20, 2025) |
| Applicants | Keio Gijuku; Tokai University Educational System; Kyoto University |
| Licensee | VOCs DeepTech Lab Co., Ltd. |
| Type of license | Exclusive license (contractually exclusive non-exclusive license under Japanese patent terminology) |
| Territorial scope | All jurisdictions in which this international application enters the national or regional phase |
| Term | For the lifetime of the relevant patents |
| Sublicensing | Sublicensing to third parties permitted |
Note: The scope of disclosure of application numbers and other unpublished information will be finalized in consultation with the universities.
3. How Breath Data and AI Assessment Software Work
The technology first collects a subject’s exhaled breath and obtains mass spectrometry data on the volatile metabolites it contains. These data are entered into a predictive model, which outputs and displays the probability that the subject has liver disease.
The application documents describe a method of training artificial intelligence (AI) on mass spectrometry data containing numerous peaks obtained through GC/MS (gas chromatography–mass spectrometry) and other techniques to construct a predictive model for liver disease assessment.
One feature of the technology is its potential to form a breath-data-based assessment platform by analyzing mass spectrometry data from multiple volatile metabolites in breath, rather than focusing only on a single compound.
4. Potential Applications in Screening Drug Candidates
The technology also includes a method for screening potential therapeutic drugs for liver disease using changes in volatile metabolites in the exhaled breath of non-human animals with liver disease before and after administration of a test substance.
In addition to supporting future advances in liver disease assessment, the technology therefore has potential applications in evaluating candidate compounds in drug discovery research. It does not, at this stage, demonstrate the efficacy of any particular therapeutic drug.
5. Clinical Validation Through Joint Research and Practical Application of Intellectual
Through joint research with Keio University, VDL is validating findings on liver-disease-related VOCs from previous studies using a larger body of clinical data. This work aims to establish a scientific foundation for new non-invasive assessment methods using breath VOCs.
Scientific and clinical validation through joint research with the universities and the practical application of intellectual property under the newly acquired license are separate initiatives. By pursuing both in parallel, VDL aims to develop university research findings into a technology platform suitable for practical implementation.
6. Significance of the Exclusive License
The license establishes a foundation for VDL to pursue exclusive commercialization of the covered technology in all jurisdictions where national or regional phase applications will subsequently be filed, for the lifetime of the relevant patents. The right to sublicense also enables VDL to advance practical applications through potential future collaborations with medical and healthcare companies, analytical and sensing technology companies, pharmaceutical companies and other partners.
7. Outlook
VDL will integrate breath VOC collection, GC/MS mass spectrometry, data analysis and AI-based prediction to develop a platform for the ongoing collection and analysis of breath-derived data. Alongside efforts to bring liver disease assessment technology into practical use, the company aims to build a data platform through the continuous accumulation and analysis of breath data.
Although the acquired license covers liver disease assessment and related technologies, VDL intends to further advance breath-based analysis and assessment technologies by combining breath VOC data accumulated over time with its analytical capabilities.
Note: The specific scope of use of clinical data obtained through joint research and other activities will be governed by the applicable research protocols, ethics review, consent and participant information documents, agreements and other relevant rules.
8. Statement from VOCs DeepTech Lab Co., Ltd.
“We believe that breath can be more than a sample to collect and analyze: it can become data that creates new value through continuous accumulation and analysis. The exclusive license we have acquired provides an important foundation for translating liver disease assessment technology combining breath VOC mass spectrometry data and AI from research into practical applications. Through continued scientific validation in collaboration with the universities, we will work toward the practical use of non-invasive breath-based assessment technology and the development of a broader data platform.”
9. Glossary
VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds): Organic compounds that readily evaporate at room temperature. A wide variety of VOCs are also present in exhaled breath.
GC/MS (Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry): An analytical technique that separates a mixture and analyzes its individual components using mass spectrometry.
AI (Artificial Intelligence): In this release, technologies used to construct and apply predictive models from breath-derived mass spectrometry data.
10. Company Profile
Company name: VOCs DeepTech Lab Co., Ltd.
Address: 9F, Building 2, Keio University Shinanomachi Campus, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0016, Japan
Business activities: Research and development, analytical technologies and practical applications relating to breath VOCs
11. Contact
VOCs DeepTech Lab Co., Ltd.
Contact: Corporate Planning Office
Email: info@vocs-deeptech.com