【Joint Research】UMAMI UNITED JAPAN and Tokyo Biotechnology College Launch Project to Promote Applied Development Research of "Plant-Based Alternative Egg Material."

Press Release Information Title: [Joint Research] Tokyo Biotechnology College and UMAMI UNITED JAPAN Launch Project. Promoting Applied Development Research of "Plant-Based Alternative Egg Material."

UMAMI UNITED JAPAN Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; Representative: Hiroto Yamazaki; hereinafter "the Company") has commenced an industry-academia collaboration research project with Tokyo Jikei Gakuen Tokyo Biotechnology College on the development of food applications using plant-based alternative egg materials.

In this project, based on the plant-based alternative egg technology that the Company is researching and developing, we will promote practical application research in the food sector. By connecting a deep tech startup with the research environment of an educational institution, we aim to foster next-generation research talent capable of disseminating Japan-originated food tech research globally, and to develop technologies for a sustainable food future.

◾️Background of Industry-Academia Collaboration Against the backdrop of avian influenza epidemics, stable egg supply has become a critical issue in the food industry. Furthermore, due to population growth, increasing environmental awareness, and the spread of ethical consumption, there is also a demand for responses to sustainable food supply. In relation to this theme, the issues surrounding eggs can be summarized as follows:

- **Supply instability (due to factors like avian influenza) and cost instability due to soaring prices.** - **Response to food diversity, including allergies and cultural backgrounds.** - **Growing demand for ethical consumption.**

Eggs possess various functions such as emulsification, foaming, and coagulation, making them an important material supporting food quality. Therefore, their substitution requires functional-level reproduction. For this reason, practical and applied considerations, including understanding material properties and optimizing processing, are indispensable.

Given these circumstances, in undertaking the redesign of egg functions using plant-derived materials, the Company believes it is important to accelerate applied research and foster next-generation talent through collaboration with educational institutions that possess practical research environments and expertise in talent development.