2023.10.30
Keio University / Kyoto University
Research Findings Underpinning Ferroptosis Research
A joint research team from Keio University and Kyoto University announced research findings related to ferroptosis.
A joint research team from Keio University School of Medicine and Kyoto University’s Center for Cancer Immunotherapy and Immunobiology elucidated mechanisms by which lipid peroxidation and ferroptosis progress during ischemia-reperfusion injury following myocardial infarction. The findings were published in Circulation Research.
2025.02.18
Kyoto University Center for Cancer Immunotherapy
and Immunobiology, Graduate School of Medicine
“Breath-Based NASH Screening Technology”
On February 18, 2025, the Kyoto University Center for Cancer Immunotherapy and Immunobiology, Graduate School of Medicine, presented “Breath-Based NASH Screening Technology” at a New Technology Presentation Meeting.
This technology focuses on ferroptosis and volatile oxidized lipids associated with NASH (nonalcoholic steatohepatitis), with the aim of detecting NASH non-invasively by analyzing molecules in exhaled breath. Breath biomarker exploration progressed from cells to animals and humans, with an AUC of 0.9 reported in preliminary human validation.
A patent application has also been filed by Keio University and Kyoto University for a related “Method for Detecting Liver Disease.”
Building on such university-originated research outcomes and intellectual property, VOCs DeepTech Lab is working toward the real-world implementation of breath VOC technologies.
2025.09.22
Keio University / Kyoto University
Research Advancing Breath-Based Detection of Liver Disease
A joint research team including Kyoto University and Keio University announced findings demonstrating the potential to detect liver abnormalities through exhaled breath.
Joint research by Kyoto University, Keio University, Kitano Hospital, and other institutions showed that volatile molecules generated in association with ferroptosis can be detected not only in liver disease models but also in the breath of patients with steatotic liver disease. The findings were published in Redox Biology.
The study identified 1-octen-3-ol and 2-pentylfuran as volatile molecules associated with ferroptosis and validated them in breath samples from patients with MASLD and liver cirrhosis.
2025.10.10
TV Tokyo
“WBS (World Business Satellite)”
On October 10, 2025, TV Tokyo’s “WBS (World Business Satellite)” featured breath research being conducted at Kyoto University.
The program highlighted research settings in which breath is collected and analyzed to investigate relationships between breath constituents and physiological conditions, as well as the analytical technologies supporting this work.
VOCs DeepTech Lab builds on scientific insights and research outcomes from universities and research institutions to advance the real-world implementation of breath VOC research and technologies.
2025.11.14
The Nikkei
Front-Page Lead Story
VOCs DeepTech Lab was featured on the front page of The Nikkei on November 14, 2025.
Under the theme of detecting signs of disease from exhaled breath, the article introduced breath VOC research that analyzes approximately 1,000 compounds in breath to identify relationships with physiological conditions.
Against the backdrop of research findings from Kyoto University, Keio University, and other institutions, the article highlighted our efforts to translate breath VOC research and technologies into real-world applications.
2025.11
ILS 2025
Selected as one of the Innovation Leaders Summit
“TOP100 STARTUPS”
VOCs DeepTech Lab was selected as one of the “TOP100 STARTUPS” at Innovation Leaders Summit (ILS) 2025, Asia’s largest open innovation event, ranking among the 100 startups receiving the highest level of matching interest from major corporations.
ILS is held with the support of Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and NEDO, with the aim of creating business collaborations and new ventures between major corporations and startups.
Participation in ILS is by invitation only and limited to promising startups recommended by leading domestic and international VCs, universities, research institutions, and support organizations. Of the 756 startups participating in ILS 2025, VOCs DeepTech Lab was selected as one of the “TOP100 STARTUPS.”
2025.12
Nikkei TRENDY
Forecast 2030–2050: The Ultimate AI Prompts
VOCs DeepTech Lab was featured in Nikkei TRENDY’s “Forecast 2026.”
In a feature exploring the future of medicine toward 2050, breath VOC research—which seeks to capture physiological conditions and signs of disease from compounds in exhaled breath—was introduced as one of the technologies expected to support future healthcare.
Across a three-page feature, the magazine covered research focusing on the relationship between ferroptosis and breath VOCs, as well as VOCs DeepTech Lab’s efforts to bring university-based research outcomes into real-world use.
2026.01.11
Nippon TV
“Hakase wa Kyo mo Shitto Suru”
Nippon TV’s “Hakase wa Kyo mo Shitto Suru: Jinsei ga Tanoshiku Naru Saishin Technology” featured research and technology that use exhaled breath to detect liver abnormalities.
The program showed actual measurement procedures and introduced research that collects and analyzes breath to assess liver conditions based on compounds contained in exhaled breath.
VOCs DeepTech Lab is working toward the real-world implementation of such breath VOC research, building on university research outcomes and intellectual property.
2026.03.18
Nikkei XTECH
“Breath Diagnosis” Emerges as a Promising Application,
Moving Closer to Practical Use for Lung Cancer and Other Diseases
VOCs DeepTech Lab’s research was featured in a Nikkei XTECH / Nikkei Electronics article on breath-based diagnostics.
The article reviewed domestic and international R&D trends in breath diagnostics, which are expected to have applications in the early detection of diseases including lung cancer. VOCs DeepTech Lab was introduced as a research example using GCMS to analyze breath VOCs, including findings on metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and liver cirrhosis.
In its overview of major breath-diagnostics research reports, the article presented our research findings alongside work from universities, research institutions, and companies in Japan and overseas.
Discuss a PoC,
Joint Research,
or Business Collaboration
Using Breath Data
We welcome inquiries from companies, universities, research institutions,
and medical institutions regarding PoCs, joint research, and business
collaborations using breath data.
We welcome inquiries from companies, universities, research institutions, and medical institutions regarding PoCs, joint research, and business collaborations using breath data.