For pharmaceuticals, we are developing functional lipids and activated PEG as DDS materials for biopharmaceuticals through means such as precision synthesis and advanced refining technologies. We are developing monodispersed PEG and ionic lipids for nucleic acid delivery for antibody and nucleic acid drugs. In the area of medical care, we are developing the LIPIDURE® Series for use in eye care, diagnostic pharmaceuticals, and medical devices, as well as highly functional materials for regenerative medicine. For cosmetics, we have a wealth of expertise in areas such as biocompatible materials, natural bioavailable substances, interface control technology, and mix design technology. We use this expertise to respond rapidly to functional advances.

DDS is a technology that enhances the effects of drugs by adjusting their physiological activity, targeting lesions, yielding chemical stability, adjusting metabolic activity, and other means, so that they act at the required place in the body in the required amount for the required time. This technology makes it possible to reduce the side effects of drugs and the frequency of daily injections, thereby contributing to improving the QOL of patients who need these drugs and improving access to pharmaceuticals.

COVID-19 is raging around the world.  PCR test kits and antigen test kits have been widely used as diagnostic pharmaceuticals. Going forward, as global warming progresses and new infectious diseases emerge, the demand for diagnostic pharmaceuticals is expected to increase. Therefore, NOF is promoting the development of technologies that contribute to improving the quality and performance of diagnostic pharmaceuticals. We make it possible to rapidly provide these to a wide range of people, thereby contributing to improved access and people’s health and hygiene.

In recent years, both reducing food waste and swapping meat with plant protein alternatives have been attracting a lot of attention. NOF provides functional materials for food that can maintain the softness and improve the texture and volume of breads and sweets, thereby contributing to reduction of food loss by preventing waste due to expiration. We are also working on the development of functional food materials that improve the taste and texture of plant proteins with the aim of promoting the use of plant proteins as an alternative to meat, which has a high environmental impact.

The health food market continues to see further growth as people become more health conscious. On the other hand, many health food materials have distinctive flavors and physical properties, such as bitterness and stickiness, and this is an issue that needs to be resolved in product development by health food manufacturers. In addition to providing unique materials for health food, NOF is developing oil and fat coating technology to improve the flavor and physical properties of materials, thereby contributing to the further spread of health foods.

DDS is a technology that enhances the effects of drugs by adjusting their physiological activity, targeting of lesions, chemical stability, metabolic activity, and other factors, and makes the drugs act at the required place in the body in the necessary amount for the necessary time. This technology makes it possible to reduce the side effects of drugs and the frequency of injections required each day. NOF is advancing this research to contribute toward improving the quality of life (QOL) and access to pharmaceuticals for patients who need them.
In addition, PCR test kits and antigen test kits were widely used as diagnostic pharmaceuticals for COVID-19, which spread aggressively worldwide. Going forward, as global warming progresses and new infectious diseases emerge, the demand for diagnostic pharmaceuticals is expected to increase. Therefore, NOF is promoting the development of technologies that contribute to improving the quality and performance of diagnostic pharmaceuticals.  We enable the prompt provision to a wide range of people, thereby contributing to improved access and people’s health and hygiene.

In April 2023, our Functional Foods Division changed its name to its current name with the aim of becoming a business through contributions to people and society based on the functions of food products. We are shifting to new business areas to contribute to the realization of a sustainable society and helping people stay healthy through the functions of food products. Firstly, regarding the realization of a sustainable society, we believe that it is essential to resolve issues such as global population growth and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. We focus on developing products that can contribute to the reduction of food loss and the spread of meat-substitute proteins by maintaining the texture of bread and confectionery longer, thereby extending their shelf life, and improving the juiciness of processed foods made with plant-based proteins. Meanwhile, accelerating the development of effective health foods, such as foods with functional claims, will play an important role in helping people stay healthy. On the other hand, some materials for health food have significant problems with flavor and physical properties, making it difficult to use them in health foods. We conduct research aimed at improving the flavor and physical properties of ingredients through the division’s oil and fat coating technology and further contributing to the spread of health foods.

NOF is a member of the Japan Margarine Shortening & Lard Industries Association. Setting food safety and security as well as stable supply as its basic philosophy, we work to further enrich the daily diets of consumers through the use of edible oils. In particular, the Technology Committee conducts surveys and research on the safety of edible oils and actively provides information on such oils to consumers.