FRONTEO and Maruho Launch Second Co-creation Project for Drug Target Identification in Dermatology

Aiming to Accelerate the Creation of Innovative Drugs Through the Discovery of Novel Targets and the Development of Evidence-Based Mechanistic Hypotheses

Tokyo, Japan, October 29, 2026 - FRONTEO, Inc. (Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan; President & CEO: Masahiro Morimoto; hereinafter “FRONTEO”) announces that it has launched a second co-creation project with Maruho Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Osaka, Japan; President & CEO: Atsushi Sugita; hereinafter “Maruho”) for drug target identification in the dermatology field, utilizing the AI-driven drug discovery support service “Drug Discovery AI Factory” (hereinafter “DDAIF”).

 In July 2025, the two companies launched their first co-creation project aimed at identifying new drug targets in the field of dermatology^*1. In that project, FRONTEO combined analyses using its proprietary Equation-driven AI “KIBIT”^*2 with research and deliberation by a team of drug discovery researchers to identify multiple target candidates and construct hypotheses proposing their mechanisms of action.

Through this initiative, multiple drug target candidates were identified and are currently undergoing verification at Maruho through wet-lab studies using cells and other materials.

About the Second Co-creation Project
In this second project, the two companies will continue to focus on the field of dermatology to explore new drug target candidates for inflammatory diseases.
By combining Maruho’s specialized expertise in dermatology and drug discovery research, cultivated over many years, with FRONTEO’s AI analysis technology and the investigative and hypothesis-building capabilities of its drug discovery researchers, the companies aim to create innovative pharmaceuticals and address unmet medical needs.

Comment from Hiroyoshi Toyoshiba, Director and CSO (Chief Science Officer), FRONTEO
“I am very pleased that the results of our first collaborative project have been recognized and that we have the opportunity to work with Maruho on the identification of new drug targets. I am also honored that Maruho has chosen FRONTEO as a partner to continue supporting its research and development in dermatology, a core therapeutic area for the company.
The strength of DDAIF lies not only in AI-driven analysis but also in the fact that drug discovery researchers thoroughly investigate and evaluate the highly novel candidates identified through this process, constructing evidence-based hypotheses to advance them to the next stage of research. In this project as well, we will combine Maruho’s deep expertise in dermatology with FRONTEO’s technology and insights to open up new possibilities for drug discovery.”

Notes:
*1 June 10, 2025, press release: FRONTEO and Maruho Launch a Co-Creation Project on Drug Discovery Target Search in the Dermatology Field Using Drug Discovery AI Factory, https://www.fronteo.com/news/pr/20250710
*2 Equation-driven AI “KIBIT”: An artificial intelligence independently developed by FRONTEO. By utilizing mathematical equations, KIBIT enables discontinuous discoveries, identification of causal relationships, and highly accurate, reproducible analyses. Its lightweight learning process enables high-speed, high-precision analysis on a single personal computer.

About Maruho Co., Ltd.
Maruho Co., Ltd. has its head office in Osaka and leads Japan in research and development, manufacturing and commercialization of dermatological products. Founded in 1915, Maruho has 1,632 employees (as of the end of September 2025), and net sales were approximately 78.92 billion yen in its fiscal year ended September 30, 2025. With the mission "More smiles, brighter life for you.", Maruho aims to help realize a society where everyone can live with a smile.
For more information, please visit https://www.maruho.co.jp/english/

About FRONTEO Drug Discovery AI Factory (DDAIF)

[Reference: Initiatives with pharmaceutical companies and Academia]
https://www.fronteo.com/news/ddaif-list

FRONTEO Drug Discovery AI Factory (DDAIF) is an AI-based drug discovery support service that combines KIBIT (patented in Japan, Europe, the U.S., and South Korea), an Equation-driven AI specialized in natural language processing, with the expertise of FRONTEO’s drug discovery researchers and AI engineers. It powerfully supports researchers’ decision-making in drug development through the analysis of disease-related gene networks and the construction of hypotheses regarding target molecule candidates. This service has already been adopted by multiple major pharmaceutical companies and has a proven track record.

*The technology used in Drug Discovery AI Factory is covered by a total of 21 patents held by FRONTEO in Japan, Europe, the U.S., and South Korea.

https://lifescience.fronteo.com/products/drug-discovery-ai-factory/

About FRONTEO, Inc. https://www.fronteo.com/en/