Nikkei Biotech ONLINE Feature on AI in Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Covers Epistra–Hitachi–Fermenta Collaboration

Nikkei Biotech ONLINE (Nikkei BP) published coverage of the three-company collaboration between Epistra Inc. (Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Yosuke Ozawa), Hitachi, Ltd., and Fermenta Inc. on microbial culture process development for the pharmaceutical intermediate “(S)-reticuline.” The coverage appeared across two articles in the feature series “AI Enters Pharmaceutical and Cell Medicine Manufacturing” (six-part series, linked to the April 27, 2026 print edition): a feature article (Part 2) and a news article published May 12, 2026.

Both articles highlight how the combination of Epistra’s proprietary condition optimization AI “Epistra Accelerate,” Hitachi’s culture simulation technology, and smart cells developed by Fermenta increased (S)-reticuline yield from 3.2 g/L to 6.0 g/L — one of the highest reported yields — while reducing the number of laboratory experiments by up to 73% compared to conventional approaches.

This joint development was announced in a three-company press release on November 27, 2025. Please also refer to the original announcement:

▶ Epistra, Hitachi, and Fermenta Achieve World-Class Yield and Up to 73% Reduction in Lab Experiments for Pharmaceutical Intermediate (S)-Reticuline Production Using AI

Published Articles

Feature Article (Part 2, linked to April 27, 2026 print edition)

As the second installment of the feature series, an article written by Ms. Yukiko Kikuchi titled “AI Becomes Essential for Manufacturing Process Development; Fermenta Doubles Production Efficiency of E. coli-Derived Pharmaceutical Ingredients” was published. It covers Fermenta’s efforts to improve production efficiency of E. coli-derived pharmaceutical ingredients as a case study of the joint development with Epistra and Hitachi.

▶ Read on Nikkei Biotech ONLINE

Feature News Article (published May 12, 2026)

As a companion piece to the feature series, a news article written by Ms. Yukiko Kikuchi titled “Epistra, Hitachi, and Fermenta Approximately Double Production Efficiency of Pharmaceutical Ingredient (S)-Reticuline via E. coli Using AI” was published on May 12, 2026. It provides a detailed independent account of the three-company collaboration on (S)-reticuline microbial culture process development.

▶ Read on Nikkei Biotech ONLINE

Overview of the Reported Collaboration

The joint development covered in both articles targeted the pharmaceutical intermediate “(S)-reticuline.” The optimization addressed a vast condition space of 11 variables — including temperature, pH, aeration rate, and media components — amounting to approximately 4,300 trillion combinations, using Fermenta’s smart cell-based culture experiments.

By combining Epistra’s condition optimization AI “Epistra Accelerate” with Hitachi’s culture simulation technology, the team identified optimal conditions in 60 experiments. As a result, (S)-reticuline yield improved from 3.2 g/L to 6.0 g/L — one of the world’s highest reported yields — while confirming that the number of laboratory experiments could be reduced by up to 73% compared to conventional approaches. This novel production development approach integrating AI, simulation, and smart cells achieved a world-class yield in microbial bioproduction, and is expected to contribute to improved productivity and stable, efficient supply of intermediates used in pharmaceuticals.

Contact

Epistra Inc.

• Web: https://www.epistra.jp/
• Contact form: https://www.epistra.jp/contact/