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SBI Pharmaceuticals was established in 2008 with the aim of developing and commercializing 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA), a fascinating amino acid with multiple action mechanisms.
5-ALA can be viewed as a precursor of haemoglobin, which carries oxygen throughout the body. In plants, it is metabolized into chlorophyll as an essential component of photosynthesis, and is located in the chloroplast.
In animals and humans, the equivalent to the chloroplast is the mitochondrium, the powerhouse of the cell. Here 5-ALA contributes to energy production while being metabolized into cytochrome C.
As such, 5-ALA can realistically be considered as a substance that can contribute not only to the promotion of plant and animal growth but also to human metabolism. The potential of 5-ALA can easily be extrapolated to contribute to the treatment of human diseases and the support of health maintenance.
There are two ways of producing 5-ALA: fermentation and chemical synthesis. SBI Pharmaceuticals has access to both pathways in order to facilitate the best pathway depending on the field of use.
Through our sister company SBI ALApromo, commercializing of foods containing 5-ALA with functional claims, such as “Toh-down” to control blood glucose levels and cosmetics based in 5-ALA is already under way.
In the medical field we have successfully introduced a 5-ALA-based technology where cancer cells become pink fluorescent under blue light, enabling surgeons to better detect respective tumours. SBI Pharmaceuticals has targeted bladder cancer while our sister company in Europe, photonamic, and its U.S. subsidiary targets brain tumours.
As a group member of SBI ALApharma in Hong Kong, we look forward to further developments for 5-ALA in fields such as glucose metabolism, mitochondrial disease, and sarcopenia derived from muscle weakness in the aging population.
SBI Pharmaceuticals, together with its group member companies in Europe, photonamic, U.S., NXDC, and Canada, SBI ALApharma Canada, will continue to follow our mission to improve human health and contribute to the global social environment.
SBI Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd.
Representative Director and President
Yoshitaka Kitao
An experienced investor, especially in biotechnology and financial business.
Prior to the establishment of SBI Group, served as MANAGING DIRECTOR, CFO of Softbank. Prior to Softbank, held several important roles in Nomura Securities.
Obtained a bachelor’s degree from Keio University.
Serves as representative director of Photonamic and director. Prior to joining the SBI ALApharma Group, served as managing director of Medac. Achieved a ten-fold sales increase during his tenure. Completed a Ph.D. in Molecular Biology at Georg-August University of Goettingen.