Commercial License Acquired for “KNApSAcK Core” Database from Nara Institute of Science and Technology
Announcement
2025.10.20
Enhancing Value in Hirata’s Contract Analysis Services
HIRATA Corporation is pleased to announce that, as part of our research and development initiatives in the emerging field of biological genetic resources (primarily plant-based), we have become the first company in Japan to obtain a commercial license for the “KNApSAcK Core” database. This database, developed by Professor Shigehiko Kanaya of the Computational Systems Biology Laboratory at Nara Institute of Science and Technology, aggregates diverse information on natural compounds and the organisms that produce them.
Ⅰ．Purpose of Acquiring the Commercial License
Hirata provides contract-based analytical services utilizing GC-MS, LC-MS, and multivariate analysis. With this license, we will be able to offer integrated analytical reports that combine our measurement data with the data from KNApSAcK Core.
This integration will enable us to deliver analysis services enriched with scientific interpretation and insights, thereby enhancing the practicality and usefulness for our clients and strengthening the competitiveness of our analytical offerings. Furthermore, this license acquisition represents a key foundational step in our expansion into this new business domain.
Ⅱ．Key Features of KNApSAcK Core
- Contains biological information on over 24,000 species and 63,000 metabolites, linked based on scientific literature
- Enables integrated search of biological data
- Serves as a foundational resource for natural product research used by researchers worldwide
By combining this database with our analytical expertise, we can provide in-depth analyses useful for industrial applications.
Source: KNApSAcK Family (Website)
Reference URL：https://www.knapsackfamily.com/KNApSAcK_Family/
Ⅲ．Future Developments
We plan to offer a new optional service within our contract analysis portfolio, tentatively named “KNApSAcK Core Search.”
Ⅳ．Impact on Financial Performance
At present, the impact of this initiative on our financial performance is undisclosed. Should any matters arise that require disclosure in the future, we will promptly make the necessary announcements.
| Company Name | HIRATA Corporation |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | 111 Hitotsugi, Ueki, Kita, Kumamoto, 861-0198 Japan |
| Representatives | Yuichiro Hirata, President |
| Date Established | December. 29, 1951 |
| Capital | 2,633 milion yen |
| Fields of business | Manufacture and sales of various manufacturing line systems, Industrial robot and logistic equipment Product development, sales, and provision of various services related to biological genetic resources |
| Stock Exchange Listings | Tokyo Stock Exchange, Prime Market (Code:6258) |
| Employees | Consolidated 2,347 Non-Consolidated 1,502 *March 31, 2025 |
| Plants, business offices | 7 locations in Japan(4 in Kumamoto, 1 each in Tochigi, Shiga, Tokyo) |
| Subsidiary Company | 3 companies in Japan (2 in Kumamoto, 1 in Tokyo) 9 companies overseas (America, Mexico, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, China, Taiwan, Germany*) *The affiliated company in Germany commenced liquidation procedures as of May 1, 2025. |
| Website |
【Forward-Looking Statements】
This release contains forward-looking statements based on reasonable assumptions at the time of publication. Actual results may differ due to future events and circumstances.
End
|
【For Inquiries Regarding This New Release】 【For Inquiries Regarding This Service】 |