Pioneering the Future of the Gut Microbiome
We sat down with Hiroto Tamura, COO (Chief Operating Officer) of Metagen Therapeutics, Inc., to hear about his career transition and his passion for gut microbiome research.
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From a Major Corporation to a Startup
Tamura began his career at Nikon, the leading precision instrument manufacturer. However, a health issue of his own led him to recognize the importance of gut bacteria, and he made the decision to move to a startup driven by a strong desire to contribute to this field.
What Drove the Change
- Experiencing the importance of gut bacteria firsthand through his own health problems
- A powerful conviction to "dedicate my life to gut microbiome research"
- An aspiration to contribute to the world through Japanese-led innovation
What Metagen Therapeutics Is Working On
Metagen Therapeutics is currently pursuing three lines of business:
1. Building a Gut Microbiome Bank
The company is constructing a bank for collecting and preserving the gut microbiomes of healthy individuals, to be used in research and treatment.
2. Fecal Microbiota Transplantation (FMT)
The company is working toward the social implementation of FMT (Fecal Microbiota Transplantation) — a treatment that transplants gut bacteria from healthy individuals into patients.
3. Microbiome Drug Discovery
The company is pursuing "microbiome drug discovery," developing new therapeutic drugs from research into gut bacteria.
Lessons from the Shido Program and the Silicon Valley Dispatch
Tamura participated in the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry's "Shido Program" and a Silicon Valley dispatch program.
Key Takeaways
- Understanding the global cutting edge of microbiome research trends
- Confirming Japan's competitive advantage in gut microbiome research
- Building a global network
Japan's Strengths
Tamura points out that Japan holds a global competitive advantage in gut microbiome research:
- Unique gut microbiome shaped by Japanese diet: A diet rich in fermented foods and dietary fiber forms a distinctive gut microbiome
- Superiority in cultivation technology: Japan is at the world's top level in microbial cultivation technology
Outlook Going Forward
Tamura has set the following goals:
Goals Within 3 Years
- Social implementation of fecal microbiota transplantation treatment
- Achieving insurance coverage
Goals Within 5 Years
- Broader medical applications
- Increased public awareness
Conclusion
Hiroto Tamura has left behind his career at a major corporation and is taking on the challenge of gut microbiome research — a new and demanding field.
- He experienced the importance of gut bacteria through his own personal experience
- At Metagen Therapeutics, he is driving the social implementation of FMT
- He aims for global expansion leveraging Japan's strengths
Gut microbiome research holds the potential to fundamentally transform future medicine. Tamura's challenge is one to keep a close eye on.