Keio Innovation Initiative has invested in Luxonus, a diagnostic imaging device development venture, through a fund managed by Keio Innovation Initiative.

Keio University’s venture capital firm, Keio Innovation Initiative (KII; President: Kotaro Yamagishi), has invested in Luxonus Inc, (headquartered in Minato-ku, Tokyo; Sadakazu Aiso, President; hereinafter referred to as “Luxonus”), a venture company utilizing research results from Keio University, through a fund managed by the company.

Luxonus is a university-launched venture that aims to commercialize a general-purpose imaging device capable of early detection and diagnosis of disease using its proprietary photoacoustic imaging (PAI) technology. Luxonus was established in 2018 based on research results from the Innovative R&D Promotion Program (ImPACT) by the National Institute of Science and Technology Agency, “Creation of New Growth Industries through Innovative Visualization Technology” (implemented from FY2014 to FY2018, with participation from Keio University and Kyoto University) and other programs.

PAI is a technology that uses a special sensor to supplement ultrasound waves generated when pulsed light is irradiated to a living body, and computer analysis is used to convert the received data into images. Compared to existing imaging technologies such as ultrasound, X-ray computed tomography (CT), and nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), PAI-based new imaging devices are capable of ultra-high resolution 3D imaging of vascular vessels and lymphatic vessels without exposure to radiation or invasiveness (no contrast agent is used). In addition, oxygen saturation of blood flow can be visualized, which is expected to be utilized for preoperative planning and verification of the effects of medication.

A prototype PAI system has been installed at Keio University and Kyoto University, and clinical trials have been conducted on approximately 250 cases of breast cancer, lymphedema, vascular disorders, and other diseases. The PAI system will enable wide-area, ultra-high-resolution imaging of diseases (vascular disorders, lymphedema, breast cancer, etc.) for which early diagnosis and diagnosis of disease status have been difficult with existing imaging technology, and is expected to lead to improved treatment outcomes. Luxonus will work on the development of a mass-produced model, aiming to launch it as a physico-chemical device for research institutions in 2021 and as a medical device for medical institutions in 2022.

KII expects that the introduction of PAI devices to diseases for which preoperative diagnosis and confirmation of treatment efficacy have been difficult in the past may improve the treatment outcomes of each disease, and has formed a partnership with Japan Organization for Medical Device Development (JOMDD; Head office: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; President: Takehiko Uchida), Innovation Kyoto 2016 Investment Business Limited Liability KII, together with JOMDD and Kyoto iCAP, will support the business development of Luxonus, aiming to contribute to society through social implementation of research results and maximize investment returns. KII, together with JOMDD and Kyoto iCAP, will support the business development of Luxonus, aiming to contribute to society and maximize the return on investment through social implementation of research results.

Japan Organization for Medical Device Development, Inc. https://jomdd.com/

Kyoto University Innovation Capital Corporation http://www.kyoto-unicap.co.jp/