Rhelixa

What Rhelixa does

Rhelixa is a Tokyo-based epigenomics company founded in February 2015 by CEO/CTO Ryo Nakaki that operates two interconnected businesses. The first is a contract research services portfolio offering next-generation sequencing, multi-omics analysis (genomics, epigenomics, transcriptomics, single-cell, spatial, microbiome), and proprietary bioinformatics pipelines, including the RIAS cloud platform for researchers and a Package Analysis service for integrated multi-dimensional studies. The second is the Epiclock Test, a consumer-facing biological age measurement service launched nationwide in October 2024 that uses blood DNA methylation analysis and Rhelixa's proprietary Japanese-optimized epigenetic clock algorithms to deliver biological age, aging speed, and 20+ health indicators, followed by personalized anti-aging action plans.

The underlying technology stack is built around DNA methylation analysis via NGS and proprietary machine learning algorithms, most notably the Transfer Elastic Net (TENet) method — a novel transfer learning architecture published in the peer-reviewed journal Mathematics — and the Japanese-population-optimized Epiclock algorithm, both protected by a growing patent portfolio that includes granted patents for MCI detection (jointly with Juntendo University, May 2025), COVID-19 severity prediction (February 2026), and biological age estimation from limited methylation data (February 2026). The company was the first private Japanese firm to introduce the Illumina MiniSeq system (2016) and has implemented its RNA-seq pipeline on the National Institute of Genetics supercomputer.

Rhelixa monetizes through fee-for-service research contracts (with tiered plans: RAW DATA, BASIC, STANDARD, ORDER MADE in 48-sample units), consumer biological age testing priced per test through 150+ medical institutions (target 200 facilities), subscription/per-use access to the RIAS cloud tool, and strategic enterprise partnerships through the Epiclock Co-Creation Project, which currently engages 13 partners including Mitsubishi Shoji, Suntory, KDDI, Renais, Sios, Canoe, CareNet, Jintan, Wellnas, ImpCir, and Hikari Pharmacy. The company has raised 12.8 billion yen cumulatively across angel (2017), seed (2018), Series A (2018), and Series B (August 2024, 4.9 billion yen led by Daiwa Corporate Investment with Kirin Holdings strategic participation) rounds. Distribution is currently Japan-domestic across Asia, with GTM focused on direct enterprise sales for research services and a medical institution partnership channel for the Epiclock Test consumer offering.

Name

Rhelixa

Legal name

株式会社Rhelixa（レリクサ）

Website

https://rhelixa.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Rhelixa is a Tokyo-based epigenomics company that provides multi-omics research services and proprietary Japanese-optimized biological age testing (Epiclock) to academic researchers, pharmaceutical companies, and 150+ medical institutions across Japan.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Genomics and Epigenomics Research Services

NAICS

Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714), Scientific Research and Development Services (5417)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Services-Medical Laboratories (8071)

akta.pro primary industry

Epigenomics & Chromatin Profiling Services (HLAGANAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Genomics & Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) Services (HLAGANAA), Genomic & Multi-Omic Biomarkers (NGS panels, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics) (HLAAAMAJ), Molecular & Genetic Testing (PCR/NGS/qPCR) (HLAGADAF)

Keywords

• Epigenomic analysis services
• Next-generation sequencing
• Biological age testing
• Multi-omics research
• DNA methylation analysis

Headquarters

HQ city

Tokyo

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Omics Research Services: Fee-for-service research contract work providing next-generation sequencing and data analysis services to academic and pharmaceutical research clients. Services include epigenome analysis, transcriptome analysis, single-cell analysis, genome analysis, microbiome analysis, and bioinformatics. Pricing varies by service type and sample volume.
2. Epiclock Test (Biological Age Testing): Consumer-facing biological age testing service offered through partnered medical institutions. Provides biological age measurement, aging speed assessment, and 20+ health indicators based on DNA methylation analysis, along with personalized anti-aging action plans.
3. RIAS Cloud Service: Cloud-based research support tool providing statistical analysis and visualization capabilities for life science researchers on a subscription or per-use basis.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Rhelixa provides epigenomic and multi-omics contract research services, including next-generation sequencing data acquisition and bioinformatics analysis covering genome, epigenome, transcriptome, and metagenome data. The company also offers RIAS, a cloud-based research support platform for statistical analysis, and the Epiclock Test, a biological age measurement service based on a Japanese-optimized epigenetic clock derived from DNA methylation analysis.

Product overview

Rhelixa operates as an epigenomics-focused contract research and product company offering two interconnected portfolios: (1) research services centered on next-generation sequencing and multi-omics data analysis (NGS data acquisition, RIAS cloud platform, package analysis), and (2) the commercial Epiclock biological age testing franchise. The Epiclock Test, launched in October 2024, applies proprietary Japanese-optimized epigenetic clock algorithms to blood-derived DNA methylation data to measure biological age and deliver anti-aging action plans, distinguishing it from upstream research services that focus on supporting academic and pharmaceutical clients with wet-lab and bioinformatics analysis.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Epiclock® (エピクロック®): Epigenetic clock-based biological age test service measuring biological age, aging speed, and over 15 health indicators from blood samples, providing personalized anti-aging action plans.
• RIAS®

Products and services

• Next-Generation Sequencing Data Acquisition and Analysis Service Contract research service providing comprehensive NGS-based omics analysis including transcriptomics (RNA-seq, small RNA-seq), epigenomics (ATAC-seq, ChIP-seq, methylation arrays, RRBS, WGBS), single-cell analysis, spatial transcriptomics, whole genome/exome sequencing, long-read sequencing, and microbiome analysis. Targeted at academic researchers and pharmaceutical companies.
• Package Analysis Bundled analysis service combining multiple omics data types or analytical methods into integrated packages for comprehensive research projects requiring multi-dimensional biological insights.
• RIAS Cloud Research Support Platform Cloud-based medical life science research support tool enabling researchers to perform statistical analysis and figure generation without specialized technical expertise. Provides intuitive data processing and visualization tools for omics research workflows.
• Epiclock Test (Biological Age Testing Service) Consumer-facing biological age test measuring epigenetic aging by analyzing DNA methylation patterns from a small blood sample. Delivers biological age, aging speed metrics, and 20+ health indicators along with personalized longevity-science-backed action plans. Available through 150+ medical institutions in Japan.

Quantifiable outcome

• High prediction accuracy for Japanese population biological age assessment with reduced bias compared to existing Western-centric epigenetic clocks
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability2 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Jichi Medical University (自治医科大学)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 March 2026Commissioned research contract for investigating late complications and accelerated aging in Japanese childhood cancer survivors.
• Nagoya University / National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and TechnologycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 February 2026Joint development of COVID-19 severity prediction technology, patent registered February 2026.
• University of Tokyo (東京大学)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 January 2026Joint research with Professor Takehiko Kobayashi on biological age and disease risk assessment technology based on rDNA methylation status. Aims to establish novel biomarkers for aging prediction and disease risk assessment.
• Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine (京都府立医科大学)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 January 2026Joint research on DNA methylation profile-based epigenome age measurement and clinical significance assessment. Collaboration started January 2025.
• Kobe University (神戸大学)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 December 2025Joint research on DNA methylation biomarkers for depression and stress assessment in children and young people. Leverages Kobe University's large-scale mental health epigenome research including Asia's largest suicide cohort.
• Epiclock Co-Creation Project Partners (13 companies)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 June 2024Phase 1 partner companies including Mitsubishi Shoji, Suntory, KDDI, Renais, Sios, Canoe, CareNet, Jintan, Wellnas, ImpCir, Hikari Pharmacy, and operating partner Leave a Nest. Focused on evidence building, solution development, and social penetration of anti-aging solutions.
• SAWAKO CLINIC x YS / Y's Science CliniccoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 November 2023Strategic partnership with anti-aging medical specialist Dr. Sawako Hibino for developing and launching Japanese-optimized epigenetic clock biological age testing service.
• National Institute of Genetics (国立遺伝学研究所)coreTechnology or Integration · 7 October 2020Comprehensive partnership agreement for joint R&D and research personnel exchange. Rhelixa RNA-seq analysis pipeline implemented on NIG supercomputer system enabling free access for researchers.
• Juntendo University (順天堂大学)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2019Long-standing joint research partner for dementia early detection using blood epigenomic indicators. Successfully co-developed mild cognitive impairment detection patent (Patent No. 7684545) registered May 2025. Collaboration began 2019 and expanded to diagnostic kit development in 2024.
• University of Tokyo Isotope Science CentercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 September 2018Early joint research partner from 2018 focused on radiation response mechanisms using big data from multi-omics analysis and radiation imaging. Developed AI analysis methods for integrated data.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• 10x Genomics: Provider of single-cell and spatial genomics platforms (Chromium, Visium, Xenium) and a technology partner of Rhelixa; enables single-cell and spatial transcriptomics services comparable to those offered by Rhelixa.
• Eurofins Genomics: Large global genomics services provider offering sequencing, genotyping, and bioinformatics as part of a broad life sciences testing portfolio; operates broadly in the same NGS service category as Rhelixa with extensive European and global reach.
• Illumina: Global leader in NGS platforms and also a Rhelixa technology partner; provides sequencing instruments, methylation arrays, and increasingly bioinformatics services that overlap with Rhelixa's research and methylation analysis offerings.

Direct peers

• Diagenode: Epigenomics-focused life sciences company providing methylation sequencing kits, antibody-based ChIP services, and epigenomic analysis services; directly competes with Rhelixa in NGS-based epigenomics research services.
• TruDiagnostic: U.S.-based direct-to-consumer and clinical epigenetic age testing company using DNA methylation-based algorithms; competes with Rhelixa's Epiclock in biological age testing with a similar DNA methylation + proprietary clock model.
• Zymo Research: U.S.-based epigenomics products and services company offering methylation analysis tools, NGS services, and epigenetic clock applications; overlaps with Rhelixa's contract research and epigenomics service portfolio.
• Elysium Health: Operates Elysium Index, a consumer-facing biological age testing service based on DNA methylation patterns; a primary global competitor to Rhelixa's Epiclock Test, sharing the consumer epigenetic clock business model.
• Active Motif: Specialized in epigenetics research products and services including ChIP-seq, ATAC-seq, and methylation analysis; provides comparable contract research services to academic and pharmaceutical customers in the same category as Rhelixa.

Regional players

• Macrogen: Korea-based NGS services and genomics contract research organization offering sequencing, bioinformatics, and multi-omics analysis; overlaps with Rhelixa's research services but historically focused on broader Asian and global enterprise pharma clients rather than Japan-domestic consumer offerings.
• DNAm Fit / Mudai (Insight Lab): Japan-based biological age and methylation-based health analysis service provider; competes directly with Rhelixa's Epiclock in the Japanese consumer and clinic-channel market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/rhelixainc
• Facebookfacebook.com/RhelixaInc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/rhelixa-inc

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds5 records

Investors12 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 Rhelixa