Ajinomoto Build-up Film (ABF) is used in insulation material for high-performance semiconductors (CPUs)—the “brain” of your computer. Today ABF boasts nearly 100% share of the interlayer insulation market for most computers and other devices worldwide. We develop ABF with the features needed to create high-performance semiconductor parts, and deliver them to semiconductor package substrate manufacturers. And in response to the needs of the diversifying field of electronic materials, we offer cutting-edge semiconductor package materials for state-of-the-art computing. Through these efforts we will contribute to the realization of the 6G next-generation communications network, smart cities that utilize that network, self-driving, and decarbonized communities to create the society of the future.
Amino acids make up over half of the natural moisturizing factors (NMFs) in the skin. We develop skin care products (the JINO brand) based on the Amino Beauty Theory—the result of years of research on skin and amino acids. And using unique amino acid derivatives production technology that has a history of over 50 years, we also develop high-performance cosmetic materials that are friendly to the skin and the environment, and supply them to customers worldwide. We have also successfully developed an alternative to microplastic beads that are environmentally friendly, highly biodegradable, and have the same texture and functions as conventional microplastic beads. In this way we are contributing to building a society with a low environmental impact.
Technologies for Material Formulation
Culture Media for Antibody-producing Cells
Since antibody drugs are capable of targeted treatment of abnormal cells, they are used as a new type of highly effective treatment with few side effects against intractable diseases such as cancer and rheumatism. Antibodies are primarily produced in animal cells, but each cell line has different properties, so the composition of the optimal cell culture medium (powder or liquid composed of around 70 different nutrients) also differs. Amino acid is the main compound in cell culture media. Leveraging our knowledge of the functions and properties of amino acids, we design the composition of a wide range of components including amino acid, which is the main ingredient, and develop culture media to cultivate animal cells that can produce antibodies efficiently. The products we develop are sold and marketed mainly in Asia under the brand name CELLiST™ in partnership with Ajinomoto CELLiST Korea.
Regenerative medicine promises to be a revolutionary medical treatment in the 21st century, and development of the cell culture media used to multiply and differentiate pluripotent stem cells (iPS/ES cells) and mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) is an essential part of that treatment. Using recombinant protein based on proprietary culture media analysis, composition design, and biotechnology gained from our knowledge of the functions and properties of amino acids, we have developed a series of highly safe culture media called StemFit™. It contains absolutely no animal- or human-derived components and its composition is optimized depending on purpose, such as cell multiplication or differentiation induction. We will continue to contribute to the realization of regenerative medicine and development of new pharmaceuticals through production and sales of cell culture media.
The relationship between amino acids and nutrition is important in milk. Lysine is a type of amino acid that tends to be lacking in dairy cows, but if you give lysine by itself to cows it is decomposed by microbes in the first of their four stomachs. Therefore, it does not reach the small intestine and is not absorbed. So the Ajinomoto Group developed a unique granulation technology to protect lysine and allow it to gradually dissolve in the intestine. This technology led to the launch of the elution control lysine formulation AjiPro™-L. The formulation also makes it possible to reduce the amount of feed, which results in decreasing greenhouse gases such as nitrous oxide produced from excrement and methane produced from cow burps. In this way we are striving to contribute to stable milk production and environmental conservation, and working to improve the health of dairy cows through efforts such as preventing disease.
Technologies for Biopolymer Manufacturing
Biopharmaceutical Contract Manufacturing Service
The Ajinomoto Group operates biopharmaceutical contract manufacturing services with unique biopharmaceutical manufacturing technology that combines our strengths of fermentation and synthesis technologies. We offer a peptide and oligonucleotide API contract manufacturing service called AJIPHASE®. It not only provides mass production of peptides, but also the mass production of oligonucleotides with the world’s first practical liquid phase method. Our antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) manufacturing service AJICAP® enables drugs to be easily administered to specific locations on antibodies by a chemical method with no need for genetic modification. CORYNEX® and TALAMAX® are proprietary contract protein expression services that use amino acid fermentative producing bacteria and filamentous fungi. These services enable high productivity and the expression of long-chain peptides and proteins that is difficult with conventional methods. These unique technologies allow us to provide a stable supply of biopharmaceuticals to customers around the globe.
Amino acids like monosodium glutamate and nucleic acids like sodium inosinate are made from ingredients such as molasses derived from agricultural products and are manufactured by microbe-based fermentation. To covert molasses and other ingredients to amino and nucleic acid with microbes in a highly efficient way, we use cutting-edge biotechnology to analyze the metabolic pathway and create strains that exhibit high productivity in high-throughput screening. High-quality amino acids produced with environmentally friendly, advanced processing technology underpin our lives: Not only are they used as ingredients for food and supplements, they are also used for pharmaceuticals.
Technologies for Nutritional and Metabolic Analysis
Aminoindex®
Realizing that the concentration profile of amino acids in the blood changes depending on diseases and health conditions, we developed technology to evaluate current health conditions and the risks of various diseases based on data on the concentration of amino acids in the blood. Aminoindex® Risk Screening is a testing service that tells you the risks of lifestyle diseases, cancer, and other problems simply by taking a single sample of blood. AminoStep™ is an app that helps you improve your lifestyle based on the test results. The app helps detect and prevent lifestyle diseases early and contributes to the extension of healthy life expectancy.
Technologies for Quality and Safety Evaluation
Analytical Technology, Safety Evaluation Technology, and Science Communication Activities
We work hard to maintain and improve fundamental technologies needed to evaluate the quality and safety of the wide range of products and services offered by the Ajinomoto Group to ensure they are safe and reliable for customers. For example, the proprietary high-sensitivity, high-precision amino acid analytical technology that is far ahead of the competition has a big impact on developpiing amino acid products. In the analysis of biopharmaceuticals, we analyze the characteristics and structure to assess the heterogeneity of proteins, and use computer science-based simulation technology to help ensure the provision of high-quality products. We also carry out accurate safety evaluations of products in collaboration with regulatory authorities worldwide to ensure products are effective and safe, and strive to improve value and deliver peace of mind to customers based on scientific information though our science communication activities.
