Metagen Therapeutics, headquartered in Tsuruoka City, Yamagata Prefecture, has been officially selected as part of the fifth cohort of the "SusHi Tech Global Startups" initiative by Tokyo. This program aims to promote the global growth of promising startups with outstanding technologies. Companies chosen for this initiative, including Metagen, will receive tailored support programs addressing their specific challenges such as personnel and organizational strategies, business tactics, and capital approaches, through collaboration with various supporters. This recent announcement from the Tokyo metropolitan government on August 13, 2026, marks the addition of 17 companies to the program, bringing the total number of participants to 111.
Focus on Microbiome and Healthcare
Metagen Therapeutics operates under the mission of "continuously fulfilling patient wishes through microbiome science." The company is committed to advancing both its medical service ventures and drug discovery programs aimed at the social implementation of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT). FMT is a groundbreaking therapy that involves transplanting fecal matter containing healthy gut microbiota from a healthy individual into the intestines of a patient with certain diseases. This process reconstructs a balanced gut microbiome, which is crucial for treating various conditions.
To further this objective, Metagen has initiated clinical studies for FMT, targeting conditions such as ulcerative colitis, gastrointestinal cancers, and Parkinson's disease through endoscopic delivery. The company is also conducting Phase 1/2 clinical trials for an oral FMT drug in Japan and the United States, which seeks to provide oral administration methods for treating ulcerative colitis.
About Metagen Therapeutics
Founded on January 17, 2020, Metagen Therapeutics is a venture born from leading institutions such as Juntendo University, Keio University, and Tokyo Science University, with a vision to create social impact through healthcare and drug discovery based on microbiome research. The company utilizes its "gut microbiome bank" as a foundation to drive both medical services and drug development focused on the practical application of FMT. Currently, Metagen is honing in on developing solutions for immune diseases (inflammatory bowel diseases), cancers, and central nervous system disorders.
Company Overview
- - Name: Metagen Therapeutics, Inc. (abbreviated as MGTx)
- - Headquarters: 246-2 Mizukami, Kakuganjiji, Tsuruoka City, Yamagata Prefecture
- - Tokyo Office: 6F Otemachi Building, 1-6 Otemachi, Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo
- - CEO: Taku Nakahara
- - Business Focus: Utilizing microbiome science for drug discovery and healthcare ventures
- - Website: www.metagentx.com
With this selection, Metagen Therapeutics aims to leverage the support and networks provided by the SusHi Tech initiative to strengthen its business and organizational framework. The company plans to accelerate the global expansion of innovative gut microbiome therapies originating from Japan, thus contributing significantly to the healthcare landscape and improving patient outcomes worldwide.