Building a better understanding of skin conditions from sweat with the world’s smallest analyzer

Most people have experienced feeling down because of their skin, whether it’s wanting to hide away at home in the middle of an acne breakout, or worrying that a less-than-ideal complexion is hinting at an underlying health problem. While skin health is often treated as a minor issue, poor skin can cause a level of concern that is difficult to overstate for the person suffering from it.
Indeed, skin problems are a major obstacle to achieving a vibrant, individualized sense of well-being in everyday life. PITTAN, a deep tech startup from Kobe, is working to solve this problem using the world's most advanced analytical chemistry.
Based on a unique method devised by University of Tokyo associate professor Makoto Tsunoda over a period of more than 20 years, PITTAN is now developing the world's smallest high-speed tool for analyzing minute amounts of sweat and chemically determining the health of your skin.

Technology miniaturization & analytical methods: a global solution built on Japanese know-how

In addition to the unique method developed by Makoto Tsunoda, PITTAN's major strength is a patent-pending technological solution for miniaturizing its revolutionary new analysis device.
As a result of miniaturization research and development work pursued since their student days by PITTAN CEO Kazuya Tsujimoto and CTO Hirotaka Koyama, PITTAN is enabling the miniaturization of analyzers whose enormous size would usually prevent them from being installed anywhere other than in the lab.
With this development, users will be able to enjoy the benefits of analytical technology small enough to be placed in clinics, drugstore outlets, and eventually even in their homes.
Japan’s long history as a world leader in the field of analytical chemistry is not widely known, as analytical chemistry techniques are primarily used in laboratories and rarely draw much public attention. PITTAN’s mission is to share this revolutionary technology with customers both at home and abroad, thereby democratizing the hitherto little-known field of analytical chemistry and creating a brand-new business model. Through this pursuit, the company hopes to drive global excitement around the power of Japanese technology.

The initial launch: a sweat analysis service

In order to establish a stable revenue base as early as possible, PITTAN plans to launch a service product before the completion of its on-site analyzer. This subscription-based healthcare service will analyze a client’s sweat and use the results to provide tailored advice regarding how best to improve skin condition.
The service will be simple to use: First, small patches several centimeters in diameter are applied to the skin for three minutes on both cheeks to collect a minute amount of sweat. These patches are sent to PITTAN Lab., the startup’s testing center, where an overall skin health score is determined. Users are then provided with advice on recommended nutritional guidelines and lifestyle habits to adopt through a dedicated application.
Through its subscription model, the service will allow users to witness first-hand the improvement in their skin’s health as they continue to follow the advice given through the application.

Analyzing amino acid in sweat: a hitherto unexplored business model

Each person’s sweat contains numerous amino acids that vary depending on health, age, and gender, thus providing a concentrated source of data points for measuring skin condition. Additionally, sweat is easy to collect from the hands or other locations on the body, making it simple for users to gather themselves through a process that is far less invasive than blood tests.
While there are already several existing similar business models using saliva or blood, a service using analysis of amino acids in sweat has not yet been developed. PITTAN has already applied for a patent for this unique concept.

With a public offering planned for 2028, PITTAN is already expanding to global markets

Despite the startup’s recent establishment, PITTAN is already making steady progress towards global expansion in its second fiscal year.
Unfortunately, awareness of presymptomatic ill health and prevention is still limited in Japan, so PITTAN plans to initially focus on securing high-income, highly health-conscious overseas customers, thereby aiming to achieve profitability within the earliest possible time frame. Currently, the company is using a trial machine to deploy some of its offerings on a limited basis as it prepares to launch in Singapore in 2024 (to be followed by launches in Australia in 2024, and the United States in 2025) while continuing to refine its service and product.
According to detailed business plans and estimates, PITTAN expects to have sales of ¥7–8 billion by 2027. At that point, the company would be able to aim for an initial public offering, which, if achieved, would represent remarkably early timing for a deep tech startup.

A candidate exhibitor for the 2025 Osaka Expo, PITTAN plans to showcase a prototype analyzer small enough for home use, known as the “Dream Machine.” This product is expected to attract even more public attention both within Japan and abroad.