Kikkoman Biochemifa Company

What Kikkoman Biochemifa Company does

Kikkoman Biochemifa Company is a Tokyo-based biotechnology firm founded on April 1, 2011, that operates as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Kikkoman Corporation. The company develops and manufactures enzyme-based detection, measurement, and specialty chemical products organized into three business lines: test kits for food safety and hygiene monitoring (ATP hygiene monitoring under the A3 technology detecting ATP+ADP+AMP, Easy Plate prepared media plates for microbial testing, Allergeneye immunochromatographic allergen detection, and histamine assays); specialty chemicals spanning pharmaceutical-grade sodium hyaluronate, cosmetic ingredients (hyaluronic acid, ceramides, glycosphingolipids), and food processing enzymes (tannase); and clinical diagnostic enzymes for IVD manufacturers covering diabetes, lipid metabolism, renal function, and pancreatic applications. Core technical capabilities derive from proprietary recombinant enzyme engineering, monoclonal antibody development, and fermentation technology — leveraging the parent company's century-long expertise in enzymology. Manufacturing is conducted at two ISO 9001 / ISO 14001 / FSSC22000 certified plants in Chiba prefecture (Kamogawa and Edogawa), with pharmaceutical API manufacturing approval held at the Kamogawa site.

The company operates a distributor-only go-to-market model, selling test kits through a network of regional channel partners across Europe (Germany, Sweden), North America (USA, Canada), Central America (Panama), Oceania (Australia, New Zealand), and Asia (China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Philippines, Indonesia, India). Specialty chemicals and clinical chemistry enzymes are sold via direct inquiry to IVD manufacturers and cosmetics/personal care companies. Pricing is not publicly disclosed. The product portfolio carries multiple third-party validations: AOAC Research Institute PTM certifications across most Easy Plate products and the Histamine Test, MicroVal and NordVal certifications for Easy Plate YM-R, multi-pharmacopoeial compliance (JP, EP, BP, KP) and DMF filings for sodium hyaluronate, plus Halal and Kosher certifications for food processing and cosmetic ingredients. Registered capital is JPY 100 million; no external investors, funding rounds, or independent financial disclosures are available.

Name

Kikkoman Biochemifa Company

Legal name

Kikkoman Biochemifa Company

Website

https://biochemifa.kikkoman.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Kikkoman Biochemifa Company is a Tokyo-based, wholly-owned subsidiary of Kikkoman Corporation that develops enzyme-based test kits for food safety and hygiene monitoring, specialty chemicals (pharmaceutical/cosmetic ingredients), and clinical diagnostic enzymes, sold through a global distributor network serving food, healthcare, pharmaceutical, and cosmetics manufacturers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Biochemical Testing and Diagnostic Reagents

NAICS

In-Vitro Diagnostic Substance Manufacturing (325413), Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing (334516)

SIC

Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826), In Vitro & In Vivo Diagnostic Substances (2835)

akta.pro primary industry

Food Testing Laboratories (Microbiological, Chemical, Allergen) (AFALAAAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Environmental Monitoring & Hygiene Verification (Swabs, ATP, Pathogen Monitoring) (AFALAAAE), Allergen Cross-Contact Environmental Verification (Protein Swabs, ELISA Swabs) (AFALAEAH), Food, Feed & Nutraceutical Analytical Testing (HLAGADAN)

Keywords

• ATP hygiene monitoring
• Microbial test plates
• Allergen detection kits
• Clinical diagnostic enzymes
• Specialty biochemical ingredients

Headquarters

HQ city

Tokyo

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Test Kit Sales: Sale of ATP testing products (Lumitester Smart, LuciPac A3), prepared media plates (Easy Plate series), allergen detection kits (Allergeneye), histamine assays, and ATP-based microbial detection products through distributor network.
2. Specialty Chemicals (Pharmaceutical Ingredients, Cosmetic Ingredients, Food Processing Enzymes): Sale of pharmaceutical-grade sodium hyaluronate, cosmetic ingredients (hyaluronic acid, ceramides, glycosphingolipids), and food processing enzymes including cholesterol oxidase, creatinase, and fructosyl amino acid oxidase. Inquiry-based direct sales.
3. Clinical Diagnostic Enzymes: Sale of clinical chemistry enzymes for diabetes diagnosis (glucose dehydrogenase, fructosyl-peptide oxidase), lipid metabolism (cholesterol oxidase), renal function (uricase, creatininase), pancreatic function, and parathyroid function testing. Distributed to clinical diagnostic kit manufacturers.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Kikkoman Biochemifa Company manufactures and sells enzyme-based testing products and specialty biochemical ingredients. The portfolio includes ATP hygiene monitoring systems (Lumitester luminometers and LuciPac swabs), Easy Plate prepared microbial media plates, Allergeneye immunochromatographic allergen tests, enzymatic histamine assays, pharmaceutical-grade sodium hyaluronate, cosmetic hyaluronic acid and ceramide ingredients, food processing enzymes, and clinical diagnostic enzymes (FADGDH glucose dehydrogenase, fructosyl oxidases, cholesterol oxidase, uricase, creatininase) supplied to in vitro diagnostic kit manufacturers.

Product overview

Kikkoman Biochemifa Company offers a diversified portfolio of testing and diagnostic products organized into four main categories: (1) Test Kits including ATP Rapid Hygiene Monitoring products (Lumitester Smart instrument, LuciPac A3 Surface/Water/Filter Assay swabs), ATP-based Microbial Assays (CheckLite series), Prepared Media Plates (Easy Plate series for AC/CC/EC/SA/YM-R/EB/AC-R/LS), Histamine Assays (Histamine Test, Histamine Check Swab), and Allergen Detection (Allergeneye Immunochromatography, Allergeneye Quick); (2) Specialty Chemicals including Pharmaceutical Ingredients (Sodium Hyaluronate), Cosmetic Ingredients (Hyaluronic Acid FCH, Micro Hyaluronic Acid FCH, Bionanoceramide EX, Biosphingo), and Food Processing Enzymes (Tannase); (3) Clinical Diagnostic Enzymes including enzymes for diabetes testing (Glucose Dehydrogenase FADGDH series, Fructosyl oxidases for HbA1c/glycated albumin), lipid metabolism (Cholesterol Oxidases), renal function (Uricase, Creatinase, Creatininase, Sarcosine Oxidases), and pancreatic function (various enzymes); and (4) Supporting software (Colony Counting System for Easy Plate). The company was founded in 2011 as a subsidiary of Kikkoman Corporation and leverages fermentation technology expertise from酱油酿造 for biotechnological product development.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Lumitester Smart: ATP rapid hygiene monitoring instrument
• Easy Plate
• LuciPac
• Allergeneye
• CheckLite
• Histamine Test

Products and services

• Lumitester Smart Portable luminometer instrument used with LuciPac A3 swabs for rapid ATP hygiene monitoring; designed for food manufacturers, healthcare facilities, and cleaning services needing on-site sanitation verification.
• LuciPac A3 Surface Pre-moistened ATP swab test for surface hygiene monitoring using the A3 method that detects ATP, ADP, and AMP for higher sensitivity than conventional ATP-only tests; used with Lumitester luminometers.
• LuciPac A3 Surface (Pre-Moistened)
• LuciPac A3 Water
• LuciPac A3 Filter Assay
• LuciSwab ES
• Lumitester Calibration Kit
• CheckLite 250 Plus
• CheckLite HS Set
• CheckLite AT100
• CheckLite ATP Eliminating Kit
• LumiTube 3.5ml use
• Colony Counting System for Easy Plate
• Feeder for Easy Plate Automated colony counting system accessory designed for use with Easy Plate prepared media plates; facilitates feeding and handling of plates in automated workflows.
• Easy Plate AC
• Easy Plate CC
• Easy Plate EC
• Easy Plate SA
• Easy Plate YM-R
• Easy Plate EB
• Easy Plate AC-R Rapid prepared media plate for total aerobic count using the Easy Plate AC-R ready-to-use format; AOAC-RI PTM certified for fast microbial enumeration.
• Easy Plate LS Prepared media plate for Listeria species detection using the Easy Plate ready-to-use format; designed for rapid Listeria testing in food production environments.
• Histamine Test
• Histamine Check Swab
• Allergeneye Immunochromatography
• Allergeneye Quick Rapid immunochromatographic allergen test using monoclonal antibody technology for fast on-site detection of allergens in food production environments.
• Sodium Hyaluronate for Pharmaceutical Use
• Hyaluronic Acid FCH
• Micro Hyaluronic Acid FCH
• Biosphingo (Glycosphingolipid)
• Bionanoceramide EX
• Tannase
• Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP-A) Recombinant alkaline phosphatase enzyme for use as a component in clinical chemistry diagnostic reagents; supplied to IVD manufacturers.
• Cholesterol Oxidase (CHO-CE)
• Cholesterol Oxidase (CHO-BE)
• Cholesterol Oxidase (CHO-PEWL)
• Creatinase (C2-AE)
• Creatinase (C2-AT)
• Creatinase (C2-EP)
• Creatininase (C1-E)
• Fructosyl-amino Acid Oxidase (FAOD-E)
• Fructosyl-peptide Oxidase (FPOX-CE)
• Fructosyl-peptide Oxidase (FPOX-CET)
• Glutamate Oxidase (GLOD-E) Recombinant glutamate oxidase enzyme for clinical chemistry diagnostic reagents targeting liver function testing in IVD kit manufacturing.
• Glutamate Dehydrogenase (GLDH-R)
• Glutaminase (GLN)
• Glutamine Synthetase (GST)
• Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH-E)
• Maltose Phosphorylase (MPL-EP)
• Beta-Phosphoglucomutase (bPGM-EP)

Quantifiable outcome

• Easy Plate LS detects Listeria genus bacteria in approximately 24 hours with blue-colored colonies for easy identification
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 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

Feature5 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered regional distributor and parent company.

• HyServe GmbHregional distributorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional distributor for ATP rapid hygiene monitoring products in Germany. Address: Staffelseestraße 6, 81477 Munich, Germany.
• BioThema ABregional distributorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional distributor for Lumitester Smart products in Sweden. Address: Handens stationsväg 17 136 40 Handen Sweden.
• Kleenmark Servicesregional distributorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional distributor for ATP testing products in USA (Wisconsin). Address: 1210 Ann St, Madison, WI 53713.
• LuminUltra Technologies Ltd.regional distributorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional distributor for ATP testing products in Canada. Address: 819 Royal Road, Building B, Fredericton, NB Canada E3G6M1.
• Weber Scientificregional distributorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional distributor for ATP testing products in USA (New Jersey). Address: 2732 Kuser Road, Hamilton, NJ 08691, USA.
• ITS Technologiesregional distributorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional distributor for Lumitester Smart in Panama (Central America). Address: J3 Corp Urb. Chanis, Vía Principal Edificio J3, No.145, Panamá.
• Foodcare Systemsregional distributorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional distributor for ATP rapid hygiene monitoring products in Australia. Address: 6-8 Chaffey Ave, LEETON NSW 2705, Australia.
• FMCG Industry Solutionsregional distributorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional distributor for LuciPac A3 Surface products in Australia. Address: Unit 11A, 1-3 Endeavour Road, Caringbah NSW 2229, Australia.
• Scienze Limitedregional distributorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional distributor for rapid ATP testing products in New Zealand. Address: Unit 2, 1 Tussock Lane, Ferrymead, Christchurch 8023, New Zealand.
• Fa-Test (Beijing) Technology Co., Ltdregional distributorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional distributor for ATP testing products in mainland China (Beijing). Address: Room 402, Floor 4, Tower 1, 21# LinHe Street, ShunYi District, Beijing, China.
• FUJIFILM Wako Chemicals (H.K.) Ltd.regional distributorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional distributor for Kikkoman products in Hong Kong, China. Address: Room 1111, 11/F, International Trade Center, 11-19 Sha Tsui Road, Tsuen Wan NT, Hong Kong.
• BioPioneer Tech Co., Ltd.regional distributorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional distributor in Taiwan. Address: 14Fl.-4, No. 1, Bausheng Rd., Yunghe City, Taipei, Taiwan 234, R.O.C.
• HUKO FS CO., LTDregional distributorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional distributor for food safety products in South Korea. Address: #2102 Joongang Royal BLDG., Seounro 13, Seochogu, Seoul, Korea (06732).
• SPD Scientific Pte Ltdregional distributorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional distributor in Singapore. Address: 100H Pasir Panjang Road, #07-01, Singapore 118524.
• Premier Diagnostics Sdn. Bhd.regional distributorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional distributor in Malaysia. Address: No.4 Jalan Tebuk Pulai 26/10, Seksyen 26, 40400 Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia.
• Swan Biotec Pvt. Ltd.regional distributorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional distributor in India. Address: Plot No: 922 & 935, Swami Ayyappa Co-Op Society, Madhapur, Hyderabad - 500 081, Telangana, India.
• Kikkoman Corporationparent companyStrategic or Co-development PartnerWholly-owned subsidiary (100% shareholding) of Kikkoman Corporation. Kikkoman is the world-leading soy sauce producer with 17th century origins, providing technological expertise in fermentation and enzymology.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• R-Biopharm: German food safety diagnostics company specializing in allergen lateral flow (ALLERG-E), histamine, and mycotoxin test kits — directly comparable to Kikkoman Biochemifa's Allergeneye, Histamine Test, and Easy Plate allergen workflows.
• Romer Labs: Specialist in mycotoxin, allergen, and food safety testing kits (AgraQuant, Rapid CHEK) serving grain, food, and feed industries; comparable niche peer in the broader food safety diagnostics category where Kikkoman Biochemifa operates.
• Hygiena: Direct competitor in ATP hygiene monitoring with the EnSURE Touch luminometer and SuperSnap/Clean-Q swabs; overlaps head-to-head with Kikkoman Biochemifa's Lumitester Smart and LuciPac A3 in food, beverage, and healthcare hygiene verification.
• Neogen Corporation: Food safety testing product maker (acquired 3M's Food Safety business in 2022) covering pathogen detection, allergens, mycotoxins, and hygiene indicators; the most direct product-by-product competitor across Kikkoman Biochemifa's test kit portfolio.
• LuminUltra Technologies: ATP-based microbial monitoring specialist competing in the same hygiene testing category with the PhotonMaster and Quench-Gone kits; also happens to be Kikkoman Biochemifa's Canadian distributor, illustrating the dual competitor-partner dynamic.

Broad incumbents

• bioMérieux: Global leader in industrial microbiology with TEMPO, GENE-UP, and BioBall prepared media reagents; competes with Kikkoman Biochemifa's Easy Plate line for food manufacturer testing budgets and offers broader diagnostics infrastructure.
• Bio-Rad Laboratories: Life science tools and clinical diagnostics company with iQ-Check pathogen detection and Bio-Plex immunoassay products that compete in food microbiology testing and clinical chemistry reagent markets relevant to Kikkoman Biochemifa's clinical enzyme customers.
• 3M Food Safety (legacy): Historic incumbent in ATP hygiene (Clean-Trace) and Petrifilm prepared media plates — both directly overlapping Kikkoman Biochemifa's Easy Plate and Lumitester offerings; now partly owned by Neogen but the product line is still broadly benchmarked against Kikkoman Biochemifa.
• Thermo Fisher Scientific: Largest analytical instrument and life science tools vendor; Kikkoman Biochemifa's clinical chemistry enzymes (FADGDH, FAOD-E, FPOX-CE) are inputs into Thermo Fisher's IVD reagent kits, making it both a customer overlap and a competitive reference point for enzyme quality.

Emerging players

• Asahi Kasei (Diagnostics): Japanese chemicals and diagnostics company with enzyme and clinical diagnostics capabilities; the closest domestic Japanese peer to Kikkoman Biochemifa's clinical diagnostic enzyme portfolio and a relevant benchmark for Asia-Pacific enzyme manufacturing economics.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Kikkoman_Bioche
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCtNBJ5S75sA3uhUPWbbu3cg
• Facebookfacebook.com/kikkomanbiochemifa
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kikkoman-biochemifa
• Instagraminstagram.com/kikkoman_biochemifa

Compliance16 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 Kikkoman Biochemifa Company