#Japan #Tokyo #Lotte Group #Health Symposium #Home Dialysis

Examining the Future of Home Dialysis

On March 9, 2026, the Lotte Group, in collaboration with Kitasato University, held a significant healthcare symposium titled "Challenging a Quality of Life Revolution through Home Hemodialysis: New Frontiers in Academia, Industry, and Medicine" at Kitasato University’s Shirokane Campus. This event took place just before World Kidney Day on March 12, aiming to enhance the quality of life (QOL) for patients undergoing artificial dialysis by discussing the future of home hemodialysis, pooling expertise from various sectors.

Lotte’s Vision in Healthcare

At the event’s outset, CEO Genichi Tamatsuka introduced Lotte Group's new business domains based on their group vision as a "Lifetime Value Creator." In 2022, Lotte established a global CDMO, Lotte Biologics, based in Seoul, South Korea, marking its official entry into the biopharmaceutical sector. In 2024, the company plans to accelerate investments in innovative startups through a Corporate Venture Capital (CVC) initiative within Lotte Holdings, aiming to lay a robust business foundation.

Tamatsuka highlighted Lotte's substantial expertise in manufacturing technology and quality control, derived from the company’s extensive experience in the food and chemical industries. This reaffirms Lotte's commitment to a healthier society by advancing their health-oriented projects, which began with research on the health benefits of chewing gum.

Insights from Kitasato University

During the symposium, Professor Yoshihiro Fuji from Kitasato University emphasized the importance of industry-academia collaboration in leveraging intellectual property for societal implementation. The keynote speech by Tomonari Ogawa, Chairman of the Japan Home Hemodialysis Association, provided insights into the current status and challenges facing home hemodialysis, focusing on the enhancement of patient QOL and addressing social issues.

Professor Kenichi Kokubo from Kitasato University and Kazuyoshi Miyawaki from Physiologus Technologies reported on their collaboration to develop an innovative home hemodialysis device. Together, they articulated their vision for a "QOL revolution" that redefines dialysis treatment norms, showcasing their ongoing commitment to patient health and innovation.

Panel Discussion on Future Collaborations

A panel discussion followed, moderated by Pak Jun, Head of Lotte’s Bio Division, featuring experts from medicine, technology, and business. They deliberated on how home hemodialysis can transform patients' lives, discussing three key themes:
1. Liberation from Limitations: How home dialysis provides patients with freedom and flexibility.
2. Overcoming High Barriers to Social Implementation: Strategies to tackle the obstacles faced in broader adoption.
3. New Structures in Industry-Academia Collaboration Driven by CVC Investments: How corporate investments can reshape collaborations for health innovations.

Event Overview

The symposium, titled "Challenging a Quality of Life Revolution through Home Hemodialysis: New Frontiers in Academia, Industry, and Medicine," took place on March 9, 2026, from 15:30 to 17:15 at Kitasato University’s Shirokane Campus. The event was jointly hosted by Lotte Holdings and Kitasato University, with collaboration from Physiologus Technologies.

The event featured notable speakers, including the following:

• - Genichi Tamatsuka: CEO of Lotte Holdings, presenting on the healthcare and biopharmaceutical sector;
• - Yoshihiro Fuji: Specially Appointed Professor at Kitasato University, discussing the significance of intellectual property and practical application in the healthcare sector;
• - Tomonari Ogawa: Chairman of the Japan Home Hemodialysis Association, addressing the current challenges and perspectives on home dialysis;
• - Kenichi Kokubo: Associate Professor at Kitasato University and CTO of Physiologus Technologies, sharing updates on their home dialysis device project;
• - Kazuyoshi Miyawaki: CEO of Physiologus Technologies, elaborating on their innovative technology.

As Lotte Holdings continues to diversify its ventures into various sectors, including healthcare, they strive to integrate innovations from Japan and South Korea, aiming to create a healthier future for all.

For more information about Lotte Holdings, visit their official site or learn more about Lotte Biologics at Lotte Biologics.