March 24, 2020
Denka Company Limited
Denka Seiken Co., Ltd.

Notice Regarding the Status of Development of Simple and Rapid Testing Kits
for the COVID-19 Novel Coronavirus Infection

Denka Company Limited (headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; president: Manabu Yamamoto; hereinafter,“Denka”) announces that Denka Seiken Co., Ltd. (headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; president: Hideki Takahashi;
hereinafter, “Denka Seiken”), which is a consolidated subsidiary of Denka, has concluded a joint research
agreement with the National Institute of Infectious Diseases (“NIID”) for the development of diagnostic test kitsfor the COVID-19 novel coronavirus.
Through its participation in research activities by the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development(AMED), Denka Seiken has been working to develop rapid testing kits applying an immunochromatographic
method to antigens or antibodies provided by NIID.
It normally takes at least eighteen months to two years for rapid testing kits to be approved for manufacturingand marketing. Denka Seiken aims to achieve large scale manufacturing capacity to produce up to 100,000
testing kits per day within a year, seeking cooperation from both public institutions and research laboratories athome and abroad for speedy development, while aiming to develop a prototype within two to three months
with early application for regulatory approval as an in vitro diagnostic agent.
In an attempt to respond to a range of testing needs at medical institutions, The Denka Group is working todevelop testing methods applying not only immunochromatography but also other antigen identification
methods including the ELISA and genetic methods. Taiwan-based PlexBio Co., Ltd., in which Denka acquired
33.4% of shares in September 2019, is working to develop methods capable of identifying this novel
coronavirus and other types of virus causing respiratory diseases at the same time. The Taiwanese company has
succeeded in developing a prototype and is planning to undertake clinical tests for commercial use soon in
Taiwan and Japan.

About Denka
Denka is a chemical manufacturer headquartered in Chuo-ku, Tokyo. The company specializes in developing
business activities on a global scale across a wide range of fields, from inorganic and organic chemicals, toelectronic materials and pharmaceuticals. Founded in 1915, Denka has steadily continued to develop andmanufacture products that contribute to the development of society by fully utilizing its unique concepts andtechnological capabilities. Upholding its corporate slogan,“Possibility of Chemistry,” the company and its
president, Manabu Yamamoto, are committed to contributing to the sound development of society whilesincerely tackling the challenges that society is now confronting.

About Denka Seiken
Established in 1950, Denka Seiken Co., Ltd. has always been true to its mission, namely, “respecting the dignityof life and protecting people’s health.” Harnessing its strength in preemptive measures against diseases, thecompany is active in the fields of disease prevention and diagnostics as a manufacturer and supplier of various
vaccines and diagnostic reagents. Looking ahead, Denka Seiken will ceaselessly contribute to people’s healthvia the provision of trustworthy and innovative products, thereby living up to the confidence of society.

For inquiries about this press release:
Denka Company Limited CSR & Corporate Communications Dept.
TEL: +81-3-5290-5511

E-mail : csr-koho@denka.co.jp