Craif (Location: Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, CEO: Ryuichi Onose, hereinafter referred to as “Craif”) signed a new joint study agreement with Nissin Foods Holdings Co. Ltd. (Location: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, CEO: Noritaka Ando, hereinafter referred to as “Nissin”). With the conclusion of this agreement, we will begin a joint study to establish a new analytical method for “disease prevention” by researching ways for early detection of lifestyle diseases by urinary miRNA analysis.

■ Background of this Study
　Craif is a startup company founded in 2018. “NANO IP™ (NANO Intelligence Platform),” enables highly accurate detection of biological material such as microRNAs, related to diseases by using non-invasively collected bodily fluids, like urine. With this innovative platform, Craif is dedicated to developing screening tests using NANO IP™ to achieve early detection of cancer and provide the best medicine for everybody.
　With the zinc oxide nanowire device Craif has developed, it became possible to comprehensively capture exosomes and extracellular vesicles more simply and efficiently compared to conventional methods. Since exosomes are the medium for intercellular communication, analysis of various “message substances” such as nucleic acids and proteins contained in exosomes can help us to understand many diseases, including cancer, that are deeply related to intercellular communication. 
　In recent years, the rapid aging of society and changes in dietary habits have led to an increase in a variety of diseases, including lifestyle diseases, which have become a social problem. While primary prevention (improving lifestyle habits to promote health and prevent lifestyle diseases) and secondary prevention (early detection and early treatment of diseases) are becoming increasingly important, there are high expectations to establish a technology to improve the accuracy of medical examinations.
　Through this joint study, Craif and Nissin will aim to establish a new analysis method to quickly and accurately identify people’s health and disease status. By utilizing the collected data, the two companies will work together to advance Nissin Foods’ long-standing research efforts to promote health through food.