Nihon GENE Research Laboratories Inc.

Nihon GENE Research Laboratories Inc. (株式会社 日本遺伝子研究所, often abbreviated NGRL) is a Japanese life-science and biotechnology services company headquartered in Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture. According to its corporate profile, it was established on 24 March 1994 as a Tohoku University-launched venture, founded as an R&D laboratory that approaches the essence of life phenomena through genetics. The company operates at the intersection of research reagents, molecular diagnostics support, and clinical genetic testing. NGRL's business is organized around several service pillars. Its core oligo business provides custom DNA and RNA synthesis, including primer synthesis, long-chain oligo DNA synthesis, siRNA, single-stranded and chimeric oligos, and a wide range of modifications and labels. It supplies real-time PCR and digital PCR probes, antisense oligonucleotides, click-chemistry oligos, GalNAc-modified oligonucleotides, MGB probes, and bridged nucleic acids such as LNA and cEt. A notable product line is the Hypercool Primer & Probe family, offered both as a synthesis service and as a design service, alongside pathogen-detection primer/probe sets for targets including SARS-CoV-2, RS virus, measles and rubella viruses, norovirus, influenza virus, and Bordetella pertussis. Beyond synthesis, the company offers research support and clinical testing services. Its CTC Lab focuses on circulating tumor cells, including cfDNA concentration measurement in blood and urine, CTC subtype detection, and microfluidic channel coating with PMEA. Its genetic testing menu includes MLPA-based tests for conditions such as multiple myeloma, Lynch syndrome, Marfan syndrome, and age-related macular degeneration, as well as chromosome testing and chromosome analysis of chorionic villi from miscarriages. Through its iPS Lab it provides chromosome safety testing for iPS and ES cells, and its Appli Lab offers ddPCR and qPCR contract services, including TERT promoter mutation assays and methylation measurement of cell-free DNA and exosome DNA from plasma. The company also sells handling products such as RNA/DNA storage solutions, the RNA SHIELDER Primer Stabilizer, quality-control RNA for qPCR (for CML), and calibration-standard RNA for influenza. Its stated recent priorities include CTC testing, cell-free tumor DNA and methylation analysis, and aiming to lead chromosome safety testing for regenerative medicine. In the organic synthesis field, it reports developing technology to suppress mRNA degradation and commercializing an RNA storage reagent. NGRL is a privately held company and, per Wikidata, is located in Sendai, Japan.

Nihon GENE Research Laboratories Inc. was established on 24 March 1994 as a venture company originating from Tohoku University, founded as an R&D laboratory that sought to understand the essence of life phenomena through genetics. From its base in Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, the company built its early business around three main pillars: contract chromosome testing, DNA/RNA and siRNA synthesis services, and contract gene quantification analysis. Over the following decades the company expanded its synthesis capabilities into a broad catalog of custom oligonucleotide products. Its offerings grew to include primer synthesis, long-chain oligo DNA synthesis, RNA synthesis including siRNA and single-stranded or chimeric oligos, and an extensive range of modifications and labels. It developed and commercialized the Hypercool Primer & Probe line for real-time and digital PCR, and added specialized chemistries such as antisense oligonucleotides, click-chemistry oligos, GalNAc-modified oligonucleotides, MGB probes, and bridged nucleic acids (LNA, cEt). In the diagnostics-support area, NGRL assembled pathogen-detection primer and probe sets covering targets such as SARS-CoV-2, RS virus, measles and rubella viruses, norovirus, influenza virus, and Bordetella pertussis, and it produced related control and standard RNA products, including SARS-CoV-2 positive control RNA based on NIID and US CDC designs and variant-specific control RNA. It also commercialized handling reagents, notably an RNA storage reagent developed from work in organic synthesis aimed at suppressing mRNA degradation, marketed as RNA SHIELDER Primer Stabilizer. More recently the company has emphasized clinical and translational services. Its CTC Lab addresses circulating tumor cells, offering cfDNA concentration measurement in blood and urine, CTC subtype detection, and microfluidic channel coating with PMEA, and it has collaborated publicly with Bio-Rad, including a whitepaper on CTC analysis using the Genesis System with Celselect Slides and an interview article on Bio-Rad's website. Its genetic testing menu includes MLPA-based assays for multiple myeloma, mental developmental delay, Fanconi anemia, Marfan syndrome, Lynch syndrome, numerical chromosome abnormalities, age-related macular degeneration, and Cowden disease, alongside chromosome testing and chromosome analysis of chorionic villi from miscarriages. Through its iPS Lab it provides chromosome safety testing for iPS and ES cells, including G-band chromosome analysis services for animal iPS/ES cells, and its Appli Lab offers ddPCR and qPCR contract work such as TERT promoter mutation assays, real-time PCR expression quantification, and methylation measurement of cell-free DNA and exosome DNA from plasma. The company states that it is focusing on CTC testing, cell-free tumor DNA, and methylation analysis, and that it aims to lead the provision of chromosome safety testing services for regenerative medicine involving iPS and ES cells. It remains a privately held company based in Sendai, Japan.

• Company established as a Tohoku University-launched venture R&D laboratory.

• CTC Lab interview article published on Bio-Rad's website.

• Began synthesis of primer/probe sets for influenza virus detection.

• Began synthesis of primer/probe sets for Bordetella pertussis detection.

• Whitepaper with Bio-Rad on CTC analysis using the Genesis System with Celselect Slides issued.

A Tohoku University-launched R&D venture positioning itself as a specialist provider of oligo synthesis, genetic testing, and CTC analysis, aiming to lead chromosome safety testing for regenerative medicine.

• Hypercool Primer & Probe

  Synthesis and design service for real-time and digital PCR primer/probe sets.

• Pathogen detection primer/probe sets

  Sets for SARS-CoV-2, RS virus, measles/rubella, norovirus, influenza virus, and Bordetella pertussis.

• RNA SHIELDER Primer Stabilizer

  RNA/DNA storage solution developed to suppress mRNA degradation.

• CTC Lab services

  Circulating tumor cell analysis including cfDNA concentration measurement and CTC subtype detection.

• iPS Lab chromosome safety testing

  Chromosome safety testing for iPS and ES cells, including G-band analysis.

• MLPA genetic testing

  Tests for multiple myeloma, Lynch syndrome, Marfan syndrome, and other conditions.

1. 1株式会社 日本遺伝子研究所ngrl.co.jp
2. 2株式会社 日本遺伝子研究所 | 会社概要ngrl.co.jp
3. 3Nihon GENE Research Laboratories Inc. (Japan) - Wikidatawikidata.org