- Region: North America
- Manufacturing and Services
- Equity Investment
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The Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC; Governor: HAYASHI Nobumitsu) made an equity investment in Metagen Therapeutics, Inc. (MGTx; President and CEO: NAKAHARA Taku), a Japanese startup. The investment, made through JBIC’s Special Operations Account*1, is based on its Startup Investment Strategy*2.
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Since its foundation in 2020, MGTx has been conducting research and development of medical technologies and pharmaceuticals based on intestinal microbiome research. MGTx intends to contribute toward providing new treatments for various diseases, such as ulcerative colitis, immuno-oncology, and Parkinson's disease, in Japan and overseas, including the United States. To this end, MGTx will provide medical services to promote the social implementation of fecal microbiota transplantation, as well as develop microbiome-based drugs.
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The investment will support MGTx’s global expansion, thereby contributing toward strengthening the international competitiveness of Japanese industry. This investment is also in line with the policies of the Japanese government, such as the Startup Development Five-year Plan, approved by the Cabinet in November 2022, where the government announced its goals that include nurturing startups that aggressively challenge the global market.
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As Japan's policy-based financial institution, JBIC will contribute toward the development of Japan’s startup ecosystem by supporting the overseas expansion of Japanese startups and promoting collaboration between foreign startups and Japanese companies. This will be achieved through investment activities and support for portfolio companies based on its Startup Investment Strategy.
Note
- *1
For information about the Special Operations, see Announcement on October 3, 2016.
- *2