• Nationwide initiative to promote gastric health and early detection of gastric cancer, co-initiated by former Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama.
• Initiative to offer 10,000 free GASTROClear™ screenings for Japanese citizens.
• Mirxes Japan and Nagawa Pharmaceutical partner to build a comprehensive early cancer detection ecosystem in Japan.

Tokyo, July 23, 2025 – In a significant advancement for public health, Japan’s 93rd Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama today launched a nationwide public health initiative focused on gastric health and early detection of gastric cancer. The initiative will leverage GASTROClear™, a novel non-invasive microRNA-based blood test developed by Mirxes.

Co-initiated by Mr. Hatoyama, Mirxes Japan and Nagawa Pharmaceutical, the ambitious initiative will offer free screening to 10,000 residents across Japan, with a particular focus on senior citizens. This initiative aims to:

• Raise public awareness and improve gastric cancer screening rates.
• Provide wider access to innovative, non-invasive blood-based screening.
• Reduce strain on hospitals and conventional screening facilities.

Japan has a high incidence of gastric cancer, with over 120,000 new cases annually, ranking second globally after China’s 350,000. Japan is a pioneer in gastric cancer screening worldwide. In 1983, Japan’s Health Services Act began promoting upper gastrointestinal barium x-ray examinations for gastric cancer screening in adults over 40. Later, in 1994, gastric cancer screening was incorporated into the National Cancer Screening Program, with endoscopy becoming the preferred method for gastric cancer detection.

Despite these initiatives, the 2022 data from the National Cancer Centre Japan (Ganjoho) indicated gastric cancer screening rates of 45.7% for men and 36.5% for women, often hampered by factors such as lack of time, fear of discomfort, and economic concerns. Unlike traditional screening methods like barium x-ray or endoscopy, GASTROClear™ offers a non-invasive, fast, and physically gentle alternative, which is particularly beneficial for individuals with chronic conditions.

“This initiative is an important step towards improving access to innovative cancer screening technologies for all Japanese citizens, especially the elderly, and enabling earlier diagnosis and treatment,” said Mr. Hatoyama.

“Over the past 40 years, Japan’s nationwide gastric cancer screening programme has demonstrated to the world that early diagnosis and treatment save many lives, with early-diagnosed gastric cancer now being curable. Mirxes is proud to be part of this 10,000-person public gastric cancer screening initiative in Japan, co-initiated by former Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama. We are deploying our miRNA detection technology and the approved, clinically validated GASTROClear™ blood test to make the screening experience more comfortable and boost screening participation for the Japanese public,” said Dr. Zhou Lihan, Co-founder and CEO of Mirxes.

“Cancer detection is not just a scientific endeavour; it is a societal imperative that empowers individuals and strengthens public health systems. We believe that by making advanced, non-invasive screening accessible, we can significantly shift the paradigm of cancer care and ultimately save more lives,” added Dr. Zhou.

Strategic Partnership to Build a Comprehensive Early Cancer Detection Ecosystem in Japan

The launch of this nationwide public health initiative coincides with the launch of a strategic partnership between Mirxes Japan and Nagawa Pharmaceutical that aims to accelerate the development and deployment of Mirxes’ early cancer screening solutions, and strengthen its brand recognition across Japan.

The broader collaboration will leverage Mirxes’ proprietary blood-based miRNA test platforms, including GASTROClear™ and LUNGClear™, to build a comprehensive early cancer detection ecosystem in Japan. Nagawa Pharmaceutical’s roles include localising the testing platforms, establishing a manufacturing system, and setting up the distribution network in the Japanese market. Its experience in technology transfer for PCR testing reagents, along with its “Japan Quality” manufacturing standards, will accelerate the deployment of Mirxes’ technology and products in Japan.

This strategic partnership builds upon Mirxes Japan’s recent securing of a grant from the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) to develop and validate a new non-invasive cancer biomarker screening test service specifically for the Japanese market. It also represents a significant step in Mirxes’ global expansion and its commitment to advancing preventive healthcare worldwide.

Dr. Li-Foong Yoong, Country General Manager of Mirxes Japan, said, “Partnering with Nagawa Pharmaceutical means we can roll out our early cancer screening solutions with greater speed and confidence, truly embodying ‘Technology × Japan Quality’. This partnership could also serve as a model for cancer prevention and control in Japan and globally.”

“At Nagawa Pharmaceutical, we are at the forefront of novel and innovative healthcare solutions. This collaboration with Mirxes reaffirms our value proposition to the Japanese healthcare market, and reaffirms our commitment to delivering cutting-edge diagnostics that can truly make a difference in public health outcomes,” added Mr. Ohdan Shoji, Managing Director of Nagawa Pharmaceutical.