Mitate Zepto Technica (MZT), a deep-tech startup focused on semiconductor solutions for genome analysis, has joined Japan’s national “Next-Generation Edge AI Semiconductor Research and Development Program” as a social implementation and commercialization partner, the company announced on April 20.
The initiative is led by the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) and aims to advance computational infrastructure by integrating artificial intelligence with next-generation edge semiconductor technologies. The specific research theme, titled “Accelerating Edge Intelligence for AI for Science,” is headed by Makoto Taiji at RIKEN.
MZT will play a key role in translating research outcomes into commercial applications, particularly in genome analysis, one of the program’s primary focus areas. The company will leverage its proprietary genome-analysis accelerator, RASEN, to integrate AI-driven advancements developed by research institutions into scalable semiconductor solutions.
Founded in 2020, MZT has specialized in purpose-built application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) designed to accelerate genome analysis. Following initial validation through collaborative research with Tohoku University and other partners, the company is now positioned to contribute to the program as an industry participant responsible for productization and real-world deployment.
Under the initiative, MZT will work alongside leading academic institutions, including RIKEN, Tohoku University, and Keio University. Its role will involve integrating AI research outputs into the RASEN architecture while advancing ASIC development to enable commercialization. The company is targeting social implementation of the technology by 2029.
The JST program, which commenced in fiscal year 2025, is part of Japan’s broader strategy to strengthen its capabilities in advanced semiconductor technologies and AI-driven scientific research. MZT’s participation is scheduled to begin in fiscal year 2026.
Commenting on the development, MZT President and CEO Keisuke Harashima said the partnership represents a significant step in accelerating the transition of genome analysis technologies from research to practical use. He noted that the RASEN platform is approaching a stage where it can move toward real-world deployment across sectors such as healthcare, drug discovery, and research infrastructure.
