Since its beginnings as the biomedical business of Takara Shuzo Co., Ltd. (now Takara Holdings Inc.), Takara Bio has continuously expanded its gene and DNA-related businesses, which have now developed into three business segments. In 1979, the Genetic engineering research business was launched with the sale of the first domestically produced restriction enzymes. This business has now expanded to include a portfolio of genetic engineering research reagents, scientific instruments and contract research services that are essential to biotechnology researchers worldwide. In the AgriBio segment, which was the first to succeed in the large-scale cultivation of Bunashimeji mushrooms in 1970, we promote a mushroom business that is centered on technologies for the large-scale cultivation of mushrooms. We also offer customers such food materials as kombu (kelp) "fucoidan," agar (vegetable gelatin) "agaoligo," Ashitaba (angelica herb) "chalcone" and mushroom "terpene," whose functionality has been proven through the use of biotechnology. In the Gene medicine segment, we are striving to develop and commercialize cutting-edge medical technologies, such as gene and cell therapies for cancer and AIDS, based on technologies developed and accumulated through the activities of our Genetic engineering research segment.

Our business strategy is to invest the stable income generated by the Genetic engineering research and AgriBio segments into the Gene medicine segment in order to develop gene medicine technologies, thereby expanding our future earnings.

Takara Bio Inc. contributes to the health of mankind by making revolutionary biomedical technology, such as gene therapy, a reality.

President & CEO                
Koichi Nakao