Chitose Group

What Chitose Group does

Chitose Group is a Singapore-incorporated family of biotechnology companies, with CHITOSE BIO EVOLUTION PTE. LTD. as the parent holding company and Chitose Laboratory Corporation (株式会社ちとせ研究所) as the core Japanese operating subsidiary founded in 2002 by CEO Tomohiro Fujita and COO Rie Kugimiya. The group provides research and development, business, finance, human resources, and marketing support for biotech innovations, and is organized around four interlocking technology platforms: microalgae cultivation (centered on the 5-hectare CHITOSE Carbon Capture Central in Sarawak, Malaysia), proprietary high-productivity mammalian cell lines for biopharmaceutical and gene therapy manufacturing (CHO-MK and HAT cell lines), an AI-based autonomous cultivation control system for fermentation and bioproduction optimization, and sustainable circular agriculture operated through wholly-owned subsidiaries across Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.

The group's commercial offerings comprise the CHO-MK Expression Platform and contract Cell Line Development Service (delivering Pre-Master Cell Banks and CTD packages to biopharma customers, with 70+ completed projects and >10 g/L titers in ~5 days), the HAT cell line for high-yield AAV vector production in gene therapy, a strain development service combining synthetic biology with proprietary disparity mutagenesis (100+ projects), the AI-based automatic cultivation control system commercialized as an AI Bio-Production Management Service, the Taberumo spirulina consumer product, CHITOSE Strawberries and vegetables in approximately 100 Southeast Asian supermarkets, and the world's first 100% bio-derived PET resin produced from microalgae-derived hydrocarbons.

Revenue is generated through contract cell line and strain development services (B2B professional services, quote-based), agricultural and microalgae biomass product sales (retail and B2B channels including supermarkets), technology licensing across the MATSURI ecosystem, and capital from government grants and corporate partnership funding (notably NEDO's ~$400M-scale Green Innovation Fund supporting MATSURI). Go-to-market combines enterprise field sales into pharma, food, chemicals, agriculture, and energy sectors; channel partnerships through the MATSURI cross-industry initiative (15+ corporate partners) and Metrics MATSURI (8 engineering partners); and event-driven visibility through BIO International Convention, ESACT, INTERPHEX WEEK, BioJapan, and Expo 2025 Osaka, where CHITOSE serves as technical supervisor. The company has announced plans for a NASDAQ listing by fiscal year 2027 and was founded/structured to drive a photosynthesis-based bioeconomy alternative to fossil resources.

Name

Chitose Group

Legal name

CHITOSE BIO EVOLUTION PTE. LTD.

Website

https://chitose-bio.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Chitose Group is a Singapore-headquartered family of biotechnology companies developing proprietary CHO-MK and HAT cell lines, AI-driven autonomous fermentation control, and the world's largest microalgae production platform, serving biopharmaceutical manufacturers, consumer goods firms, and sustainable agriculture markets across Asia.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Biotechnology Services

NAICS

Strawberry Farming (111333), Berry (except Strawberry) Farming (111334), Fruit and Tree Nut Farming (1113)

SIC

Food And Kindred Products (2000), Agricultural Production-Crops (100)

akta.pro primary industry

Biological Formulation, Fermentation & Scale-Up Manufacturing (AFABAEAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Enzymes & Industrial Biotechnology Inputs (Enzymes, Microbial Strains, Fermentation Aids) (EUAAAIAL), Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems (BPAGAGAI)

Keywords

• Cell line development
• Microalgae cultivation
• Biopharmaceutical manufacturing
• Precision fermentation
• Strain development services

Headquarters

HQ city

Kawasaki

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices10 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Contract Cell Line Development Services: CHITOSE provides stable cell line development services using CHO-MK host cells for biopharmaceutical manufacturing. Revenue generated from contract development projects with pharmaceutical companies.
2. Contract Strain Development Services: Microbial strain development services for food, chemical, and pharmaceutical industries. Since founding, over 100 development projects completed with increasing demand in precision fermentation.
3. Agricultural Product Sales: Sale of high-value agricultural products including CHITOSE Strawberries and CHITOSE Vegetables produced at company farms in Malaysia, sold through supermarkets and to restaurants/hotels in Southeast Asia.
4. Microalgae Biomass Products: Production and sale of microalgae products including food-grade spirulina, frozen raw spirulina (Taberumo brand), and algae-derived raw materials for various industries.
5. Licensing of Technology/IP: Technology licensing for microalgae-based bio-manufacturing, PET resin production, and other bio-based processes developed through MATSURI initiative.
6. Strategic Partnership Funding: Government funding from NEDO Green Innovation Fund (400M USD scale) and capital raised through third-party allotments from corporate and financial partners supporting R&D and facility expansion.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

CHITOSE Group is a family of biotechnology companies that provides contract cell line development services (CHO-MK platform) and strain development services (using disparity mutagenesis) to biopharmaceutical, food, chemical and industrial biotechnology companies. It also develops and operates proprietary AI-Based Automatic Cultivation Control Systems for autonomous fermentation optimization, runs the world's largest 5-hectare microalgae production facility (CHITOSE Carbon Capture Central) producing spirulina and bio-based materials, and operates sustainable circular agriculture businesses producing premium strawberries and vegetables across Southeast Asia. The MATSURI Initiative coordinates these streams as a cross-industry bioeconomy program supported by 15+ corporate partners and NEDO.

Product overview

CHITOSE Group is a family of biotechnology companies offering a portfolio of products and services centered on biomanufacturing and the bioeconomy. The core offerings are the CHO-MK Expression Platform and associated Cell Line Development (CLD) Service for biopharmaceutical manufacturing, and the AI-Based Automatic Cultivation Control System / Bio-Production Management System for fermentation and bioproduction optimization. These are complemented by the HAT Cell Line for gene therapy (AAV vector production), a Strain Development Service using synthetic biology and disparity mutagenesis, and the MATSURI Initiative — a cross-industry bioeconomy program encompassing microalgae production (CHITOSE Carbon Capture Central C4), sustainable agriculture (Chitose Agriculture), and the Metrics MATSURI AI data-driven bioproduction infrastructure. The company also operates the C-BED biological conversion platform. The CHO-MK platform is the primary revenue-generating commercial service; MATSURI serves as the umbrella initiative coordinating multiple technology streams across microalgae, AI, agriculture, and resource circulation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• MATSURI: Cross-industry initiative led by CHITOSE Group to promote the bioeconomy, encompassing microalgae-based industry, AI-driven bio-manufacturing, resource circulation, and sustainable agriculture.
• MATSURI Initiative
• Metrics MATSURI
• CHITOSE Agriculture Initiative
• CHO-MK
• HAT Cells
• CHITOSE Vegetables
• CHITOSE Carbon Capture Central (C4)
• C3-Hub (CHITOSE Co-Creation Hub)

Products and services

• CHO-MK Expression Platform Proprietary high-performance CHO cell expression platform derived from primary Chinese hamster ovary tissues (established 2016) for rapid, high-yield biologics manufacturing cell line development. Achieves >10 g/L antibody titer in approximately 5 days and has been used across 70+ completed projects with biopharmaceutical customers.
• Cell Line Development (CLD) Service Contract cell line development service generating high-productivity stable cell lines using CHO-MK host cells and CS CHO expression vector, delivering Pre-Master Cell Banks, experimental reports, and Common Technical Documents (CTD) for regulatory submission. For biopharmaceutical companies developing antibodies, recombinant proteins and biologics.
• HAT Cell Line (HAT A2C1) Novel human amniotic epithelial-derived cell line established in 2022 for high-yield AAV vector production in gene therapy. Achieves up to 2.7×10^14 vg/L for AAV5 and exhibits higher full-capsid ratios than HEK293 cells. Commercially available exclusively through CHITOSE as sole authorized distributor.
• AI-Based Automatic Cultivation Control System Proprietary AI system that optimally manages microbial culture conditions during fermentation production. Uses sensing technologies to capture real-time cultivation states and dynamically adjusts temperature, pH, and nutrient feed rate. Developed under NEDO's bio-based product production technology program; has doubled protein productivity in filamentous fungi versus human-designed conditions in joint research with Ajinomoto.
• Metrics MATSURI AI data-driven bio-production system built on CHITOSE's autonomous cultivation control technology, co-created with 8 partner companies across measurement, control, and engineering. Aims to establish common bioeconomy infrastructure and de facto standards for bio-production (fermentation, microalgae, cultured cells, agriculture).
• Strain Development Service Contract strain development combining synthetic biology methods (genetic engineering, genome editing) with proprietary disparity mutagenesis to create strains with industrial-level performance. Over 100 projects completed since founding; particularly high demand in precision fermentation for the food, chemical and pharmaceutical industries.
• Bio-Production Management System AI-driven bio-production management system developed with NEDO and partners (Kirin, Amano Enzyme) targeting fermentation production processes. Combines sensing technologies, IoT, data preprocessing, bio-manufacturing machine learning models, and AI-based automatic control; applicable across microorganisms, cultured cells and algae.
• AI Bio-Production Management Service (AIバイオ生産マネジメントサービス) AI-based bio-production management service leveraging CHITOSE's autonomous cultivation control technology. Connects multidimensional sensing devices to the cloud and enables automated process optimization across bioproduction applications for industrial biotechnology customers.
• Chitose Agriculture – Premium Produce Sustainable circular agriculture business spanning Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam that produces and sells high-value crops including CHITOSE Strawberries, CHITOSE white corn and vegetables. Products are available in approximately 100 supermarkets (Giant, Fuji Mart, Isetan) and supplied to hospitality buyers across Southeast Asia.
• Taberumo Frozen Raw Spirulina Frozen raw spirulina product sold directly to consumers under the Taberumo brand through online channels. Targets health-conscious consumers seeking microalgae-derived nutrition.
• C-BED (Chitose Biomass Engineering for Daichi) Biological conversion technology that transforms waste treatment into raw material production by implementing compound biological conversion technologies. Pilot site established in Hokuto City, Yamanashi Prefecture as part of a JPY 270 billion-scale NEDO project to valorize unused resources.
• 100% Bio-PET Resin from Microalgae World's first 100% bio-derived PET resin produced from microalgae hydrocarbons (bio-paraxylene from botryococcene via thermal decomposition). Initial applications in plastic bottles, with planned expansion to cosmetics and textiles. Available for licensing through the MATSURI partner network.

Quantifiable outcome

• Doubling of protein productivity in filamentous fungi using AI cultivation control compared to best human-designed conditions
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability6 records

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• United Nations ESCAPflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 May 2026Strategic discussion on bioeconomy and investment opportunities across ASEAN. ESCAP delegation visited Chitose Algae Farm in Brunei. Focus on cross-border value chain integration and sustainable development goals alignment.
• Metrics MATSURI Partners (Azbil Corporation, MITSUWA FRONTECH CORP., HORIBA, Ltd., MITSUBISHI CHEMICAL ENGINEERING CORPORATION, YUMOTO ELECTRIC INC., HAMAMATSU PHOTONICS K.K., Biott Corporation & ABLE Corporation, Mitsubishi Kakoki Kaisha, Ltd.)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 March 2026Eight companies joined Metrics MATSURI to establish AI data-driven bio-production system. Partners contribute expertise in measurement, device control, and engineering to build common bioeconomy infrastructure and bio-production standards.
• New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 March 2026Government funding of 400 million USD scale through Green Innovation Fund for MATSURI project. Supporting microalgae-based industry development and bio-manufacturing technology. Multiple NEDO projects since 2020.
• The University of TokyocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 February 2026Joint research on digital design for antibody drug manufacturing processes. Developed mathematical models using automated experiment data for cultivation condition optimization. Published in AIChE Journal.
• FUJIFILM BiosciencescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 December 2025Strategic alliance combining CHITOSE's CHO-MK high-productivity cell lines with FUJIFILM Biosciences' GMP-manufactured culture media (AdaptPD CHO-MK Platform Media). Aims to accelerate biopharmaceutical manufacturing processes and provide integrated solutions for the global biopharma industry.
• Ajinomoto Co., Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 December 2024Joint research applying CHITOSE's AI cultivation control system to Ajinomoto's protein production using filamentous fungi. Part of NEDO's 'Research and Development of Technologies to Promote Biomanufacturing.' Successfully doubled protein productivity compared to human-designed conditions.
• Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Long-term collaboration on 'Space Surface Spirulina' project developing efficient protein production and air revitalization systems for space. Includes ISS experiment validating Spirulina cultivation in microgravity environment launched April 2026.
• Kirin Holdings Company, LimitedminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in AI fermentation project and bio-production management system development. Collaboration on sensing technologies and cultivation optimization.
• Amano Enzyme Inc.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in fermentation and bio-manufacturing technology development. Underwriter in 7.3 billion yen funding round.
• Sime Darby PlantationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on microbial inoculant technology and soil microbiota enrichment for palm plantations in Southeast Asia.
• Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-hosted Japan-Gulf Business & Investment Forum 2026 in Dubai. Promoting Japanese investment opportunities in clean energy and bioeconomy sectors to Middle East sovereign wealth funds.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves17 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Broad incumbents

• Lonza Group: Global CDMO leader offering mammalian cell line development, bioconjugates, and microbial fermentation services. Most directly comparable to CHITOSE's CHO-MK contract cell line development business, but at vastly larger scale across a full CDMO portfolio.
• WuXi Biologics: Global open-access biologics technology platform offering cell line construction, process development, and manufacturing. Direct competitor in CHO-based cell line development with significantly larger global footprint and capacity.
• Roquette (formerly Codexis): Global starch and fermentation ingredient producer that acquired Codexis (enzyme engineering). Comparable to CHITOSE's strain engineering, enzyme, and fermentation biomanufacturing capabilities at significantly larger industrial scale.
• Samsung Biologics: Large-scale biopharmaceutical CDMO with end-to-end cell line development, process development, and GMP manufacturing. Competes with CHITOSE's CHO-MK platform for antibody drug manufacturing contracts but offers much broader end-to-end CDMO capabilities.

Direct peers

• Ajinomoto Bio-Pharma Services: CDMO subsidiary of Ajinomoto specializing in microbial-derived biologics and fermentation. Direct partner with CHITOSE on AI cultivation control for filamentous fungi and a comparable peer in precision fermentation and contract manufacturing.
• Ginkgo Bioworks: Synthetic biology platform company focused on strain engineering and cell programming across industrial biotechnology, food, and pharmaceuticals. Direct comparable to CHITOSE's strain development service, disparity mutagenesis technology, and AI-driven bioproduction offerings.
• FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies: CDMO arm of FUJIFILM and direct strategic partner of CHITOSE via the AdaptPD CHO-MK Platform Media alliance. Competes in cell line development and biologics manufacturing while partnering on integrated CHO-MK + media solutions.
• Corbion: Dutch ingredients company with significant microalgae (algae-based omega-3 DHA, food ingredients) and biopreservation operations. Comparable to CHITOSE's microalgae biomass, spirulina, and algae-derived materials business but with mature food ingredient commercial reach.

Others

• IHI Corporation: Japanese heavy industrial conglomerate and CHITOSE corporate investor/partner focused on bioenergy and decarbonization. Not a direct competitor but an ecosystem participant in Japan's bioeconomy and a strategic shareholder in MATSURI-related initiatives.

Emerging players

• AlgaEnergy: Spanish microalgae biotechnology company producing microalgae-based biostimulants, aquaculture feed, and food ingredients. Comparable to CHITOSE's spirulina and microalgae production but focused on agricultural and aquaculture applications rather than materials/energy.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Chitosegroup_en
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@chitosegroup
• Facebookfacebook.com/CHITOSEGROUP
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/chitose-group
• Instagraminstagram.com/chitose_agriculture

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds3 records

Investors14 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Chitose Group