Nipro : Notice of Series A Investment in Nanotis, a University of Tokyo-affiliated Startup Engaging in the Development of Saliva-Based Digital Infection Testing Technologies

July 15, 2022

NIPRO CORPORATION

Notice of Series A Investment in Nanotis, a University of Tokyo-affiliated Startup Engaging in the Development of Saliva-Based Digital Infection Testing Technologies

NIPRO CORPORATION (Head Office: Kita-ku, Osaka; President: Yoshihiko Sano; hereinafter "NIPRO") hereby announces that it made a series A investment in Nanotis Corporation (Head Office: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; CEO and Founder: Lisa Sakashita; hereinafter "Nanotis"), a University of Tokyo-affiliated startup engaging in the development of next-generationsaliva-based digital infection testing technologies, on July 5, 2022.

１． Purpose of Investment

Nanotis is a venture company collaborating with the University of Tokyo to develop saliva-based digital testing technologies covering a wide range of virus inspections including COVID-19 and flu. In particular, Nanotis successfully developed a technology called "Nucleic Acid Navigated Optically Traceable Immuno‐Sensing (NANOTIS method)," which, when implemented, will achieve simple, quick and affordable saliva-based testing with excellent accuracy. With the NANOTIS method, test results will be digitally processed and aggregated in a single step, and it has the potential to become a core technology for future telemedicine, administrative data accumulation, and efficient infection control.

The COVID-19 pandemic created a global awareness of the importance of routine screening testing regardless of the presence or absence of symptoms. Genetic testing methods such as PCR are accurate but require time and specialized techniques and equipment whereas antigen testing such as immunochromatography* is simple and affordable but lacks sensitivity. For either type of testing, samples must be invasively collected using nasopharyngeal swabs, in most cases, and data accumulation requires manual input. The NANOTIS method is a next-generation platform offering a third option for infection testing.

Boasting a wealth of knowledge and know-how in manufacturing and distributing diagnostic products, NIPRO recently launched "NIPRO Heart Line™," a watch-over support system with telemedicine support features, and commenced the joint development of "a system for predicting COVID-19 progression" with the University of Tokyo Hospital. By making this series A investment in Nanotis with a view to future collaboration, NIPRO

accelerates its growth toward becoming a leading company in infection diagnostics with a series of comprehensive platforms covering everything from innovative testing technologies to telemedicine and data analytics.

• Immunochromatography: An immunoassay technique applied in pregnancy and flu diagnosis, etc. whereby the properties of samples slowly flow over cellulose membranes while dissolving reagents (capillarity).

２． Method of Stock Acquisition

NIPRO acquired all of the Class A preferred shares issued by Nanotis on July 5, 2022.

３． Company Profile of Nanotis Name: Nanotis Corporation CEO and Founder: Lisa Sakashita

Address: 5-50-13 Yoyogi, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 151-0053

Joint research lab: University of Tokyo Engineering Bldg. 4, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656

Founded: June 6, 2016

Capital (inc. capital reserve): 388,150,240 JPY

URL:http://nanotis.net [nanotis.]

４． Impact on Business Performance

The impact on business performance for the current fiscal year is expected to be negligible.