NEWS RELEASE

Research Suggests Inulin Intake Reduces Risk of Deathfrom Novel Coronavirus Infection in a Hamster Model
Results of joint experiments are announced by Metagen, Inc.,
Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Keio University,
Institute of Medical Science, the University of Tokyo and TeijinTokyo, Japan, March 28, 2024 --- Metagen, Inc., the Institute for Advanced Biosciences,
Keio University, the Institute of Medical Science at the University of Tokyo and Teijin
today announced results from their joint research into the effects of inulin intake on therisk of death from the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) in a hamster model. Experiments
by the four parties showed that feeding inulin to the novel coronavirus-infected Syrian
hamsters used as an animal model increases the amount of secondary bile acids derived
from gut microbiota in the stool and serum. As a result, the risk of death due to the novel
coronavirus infection is significantly reduced.
Summary of the results
Hamsters were divided into two groups based on diet: a normal diet (control group) anda diet supplemented with 5 percent inulin, a type of prebiotic, which replaced 5 percentof the starch in the normal diet (test group). Following two weeks of each diet, thehamsters were nasally infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The survival rate at 10 days
after infection was 60 percent in the control group and 100 percent in the group fed adiet supplemented with 5 percent inulin (Figure 1).
In the stool and serum of hamsters in the test group, the amount of deoxycholic acid (*1),
a secondary bile acid derived from gut microbiota, was significantly higher than in thecontrol group (Figure 2).
Research by Associate Professor Takeshi Ichinohe of Institute of Medical Science, theUniversity of Tokyo and Project Professor Shinji Fukuda of Institute for AdvancedBiosciences, Keio University and the CEO of Metagen, Inc. have previously revealed
that deoxycholic acid suppresses the severity of the novel coronavirus infection (*2). This
study has shown that inulin intake increases the production of deoxycholic acid and cansignificantly improve the survival rates compared to the control group.
(*1) Deoxycholic acid (DCA): A secondary bile acid produced by gut bacteria. It has beenreported that it affects immune and metabolic function.

(*2) Nagai et al., High body temperature increases gut microbiota-dependent host resistanceto influenza A virus and SARS-CoV-2 infection. Nat Comm. 2023;14: 3863

<Figure 1: Survival rate of hamsters
after infection with the novel coronavirus><Figure 2: Amount of deoxycholic acid instool and serum after inulin intake>

Metagen, Inc. was established in 2015 with the aim of achieving the health of eachindividual through “Gut design,” an approach based on the differences in eachindividual’s gut environment. The company aims to create a market for the gut design
through carrying out all the way from designing gut environment research to social
implementation.
Since 2016, Teijin has been selling BARLEYMax™ Super Barley as a prebiotic material
that feeds intestinal bacteria. Also, since 2018 it has been selling inulin, a water-soluble
dietary fiber derived from chicory, a plant in the Asteraceae family. In addition, in 2020,
the company began handling probiotic materials, a general term for microorganisms withbeneficial effects on health, such as lactic acid bacteria. In 2022, Teijin established
Teikoku Meguro Research Institute, a manufacturing base for probiotics.
In 2019, both companies conducted in vitro experiment within the “Gut Design Project”facilitated by Metagen, Inc., and found that yogurt containing Bifidobacterium and inulin
produced significantly more short-chain fatty acids, such as acetic acid, compared toregular yogurt containing only lactic acid bacteria (internal data).
As many scientific papers have reported on the positive effect of inulin on immune
function, the four parties decided to verify the preventive effect of inulin regarding severityof infection with the novel coronavirus through animal tests. They have been conducting
joint research on this theme since December 2020.
Metagen, Inc. and Teijin will continue to collaborate with research institutions tocontribute to building a healthy society by acquiring new evidence regarding prebiotics
and probiotics, including inulin.

Metagen, Inc. will continue to promote research and development focusing on thestratification of the gut environment, and strive to achieve zero disease through frontierscience.
Teijin will continue to provide functional food ingredients, backed by scientific evidence,
which are useful for health based on the technology and knowledge it has cultivated over
the years.

About Metagen, Inc.
Metagen, Inc. was established in 2015 with the aim of achieving zero disease throughcontrolling the gut environment with frontier science. Metagen, Inc. aims to create asociety in which every individual can control their gut environment through an uniqueapproach, the “Gut Design”, in which a suitable solution is provided to each individual
based on differences in gut environment. Metagen, Inc. will endeavor to seamlessly
bridge the fundamental gut environment research to social implementation in order tofully utilize the potential of gut environment.
Visit https://metagen.co.jp/
About the Institute for Advanced Biosciences (IAB), Keio University
IAB is a full-fledged bioscience research institute established in April, 2001, at theTsuruoka Town Campus (Tsuruoka City, Yamagata Prefecture, Japan). This research
institute uses cutting-edge biotechnologies to comprehensively measure and analyze
human and microorganic cellular activity, conduct computer analysis and simulation, andapply findings to medical, environmental, and food sciences. IAB is attracting attention
from around the world as a pioneer in the new life sciences field that makes full use ofIT in this way called Integrated Systems Biology.
Visit https://www.iab.keio.ac.jp/en/index.html
About The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo (IMSUT)IMSUT was established by Dr. Shibasaburo Kitasato in 1892 as the Institute of Infectious
Diseases (IID). In 1967 it was then reorganized and underwent a name change from IID
to IMSUT. With a 127-year history, IMSUT explores the universal truth of biologicalphenomena and the principles of diseases. Through this exploration, IMSUT aims tocontribute to all of human society by offering development of innovative disease
prevention and treatment strategies and their social implementation. To that end, IMSUT
emphasizes the free and interdisciplinary research environment in which various
disciplines such as computer science, the natural sciences, engineering, agriculture,pharmacy, medicine, ethics, public policy studies, etc. can mutually inspire and build offeach other with "medical science" as a keyword.
Visit https://www.ims.u-tokyo.ac.jp/imsut/en/index.html
About the Teijin GroupTeijin (TSE: 3401) is a technology-driven global group with two core businesses: highperformance materials and healthcare solutions. Established in 1918 as Japan’s firstrayon manufacturer, Teijin today comprises some 170 companies employing 20,000
people in 20 countries. Through “Human Chemistry, Human Solutions,” Teijinrelentlessly strives to aims to be a company that supports the society of the future byprotecting the global environment and addressing the needs of people and communities.
Teijin posted consolidated sales of JPY 1,018.8 billion (USD 7.6 billion) and total assetsof JPY 1,242.4 billion (USD 9.2 billion) in the fiscal year ending March 31, 2023.

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