Mitate Zepto Technica announced on April 20 that it has joined Japan’s national research initiative, the Next-Generation Edge AI Semiconductor Research and Development Program, promoted by the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST). In this program, the company will serve as a designated partner for social implementation and commercialization under the research theme “Accelerating Edge Intelligence for AI for Science,” led by Makoto Taiji, Program Director at RIKEN’s TRIP Headquarters.
The research theme is focused on building advanced computing infrastructure by combining AI with next-generation edge semiconductors, with genome analysis as one of its key use cases.
For Mitate Zepto Technica, this role centers on turning research outcomes into practical products through its proprietary genome analysis accelerator, RASEN.
Since its founding in 2020, MZT has taken a distinctive approach to genome analysis by focusing on purpose-built ASIC acceleration.
After validating its technology through joint research with Tohoku University and other partners, the company is now stepping into a new phase as an R&D partner responsible for real-world implementation under this program.
MZT’s Role in the Program
Under this theme, MZT will work to integrate AI research results from RIKEN and Tohoku University into the RASEN architecture.
It will also lead the development work needed to bring those results into practical use through ASIC development and productization.
By serving as the bridge between research and deployment, the company aims to drive social implementation by 2029.
Program Overview
- Research theme: Accelerating edge intelligence for AI for science.
- Promoting agency: Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST).
- Principal investigator: Makoto Taiji, Program Director, TRIP Headquarters, RIKEN.
- Participating institutions: RIKEN, Tohoku University, Keio University, and Mitate Zepto Technica.
- MZT participation start: April 2026 (FY2026).
- JST program period: FY2025 onward.
Leadership Comment
Keisuke Harashima, President and CEO of Mitate Zepto Technica, said, “The company is honored to help lead the social implementation of this research theme through genome analysis acceleration using dedicated semiconductors, an area it has pursued since its founding.”
He added that RASEN is now at a turning point, moving from research into real-world deployment, and that the company expects this participation to speed up commercialization in healthcare, drug discovery, and research infrastructure.
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