Mitate Zepto Technica Unveils RASEN Accelerator Prototype with BWA-Comparable Accuracy

TOKYO--( BUSINESS WIRE )-- Mitate Zepto Technica (MZT, headquartered in Shibuya, Tokyo; CEO: Keisuke Harashima) announced today that its genome analysis-specific accelerator prototype, “RASEN,” has achieved precision equivalent to conventional methods. In a joint study with Tohoku University, RASEN demonstrated a 99.8% concordance rate compared to the widely used BWA tool, achieving a balance of speed and accuracy never before realized.

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Summary of Verification Results

High Concordance:
• Achieved an average concordance rate of 99.8% across all 12 samples.
• Several samples showed a perfect 100% match.

Consistent Precision:
• Maintained a concordance rate above 99.6% across all samples.
• No bias observed related to ethnicity or gender.

Reliable Mapping Accuracy:
• Discrepancies were minimal and consistent across samples.
• High reliability was confirmed through detailed visual inspections.

Future Outlook

The RASEN prototype has already been validated to complete whole-genome sequencing within five minutes, as confirmed by MZT’s internal speed tests. These results showcase the feasibility of realizing a final product using advanced semiconductor technology.
Building on this success, MZT will accelerate the development of its semiconductor-integrated final product. The newly developed semiconductor will significantly enhance processing speed and energy efficiency.
RASEN aims to become a vital infrastructure for next-generation genome analysis, addressing the growing need for rapid, large-scale genomic data processing in clinical and research settings. By enabling researchers and medical institutions to quickly utilize data, it will contribute to advancements in personalized medicine and early detection of genetic disorders.
MZT will strengthen collaborations with domestic and international partners to incorporate real-world feedback, driving continuous improvement and optimization of the product.
Through RASEN, MZT is committed to addressing a wide range of needs from research to clinical applications, paving the way for groundbreaking innovations in genomics, medicine, and biotechnology.

Comment from Associate Professor Jun Takayama, Tohoku University School of Medicine
“The accuracy validation using the RASEN prototype demonstrates its capability to sufficiently achieve the design objective of accuracy equivalent to or better than BWA. This milestone highlights its potential for widespread use in genome analysis.”

Comment from Keisuke Harashima, CEO, MZT
“The precision verification results from Tohoku University represent a significant milestone for our technology. Confirming BWA-comparable accuracy, coupled with our speed verification, signifies that a new era of genome analysis powered by semiconductor technology is within reach.
Since our establishment, we have strived to create a world where genomic information is effortlessly accessible. We aim to deliver meaningful value in fields ranging from rapid clinical diagnostics to efficient large-scale research, with a focus on real-world applications.
As we move toward product commercialization, we will ensure that our semiconductor devices are user-friendly for medical and research institutions alike.”

Details of Validation with the RASEN Prototype

Reference Genome:
Japanese reference genome sequence JG2.1.
• Sample Selection: 12 samples (2 males and 2 females each from CEU, YRI, and JPT groups of the 1000 Genomes Project).

Target Analysis Regions:
Regions containing five known polymorphisms (2kb each):
• LCT gene (rs4988234)
• FADS1 gene (rs174570)
• ALDH2 gene (rs671)
• SLC24A5 gene (rs1426652)
• TP53 gene (rs1042522)

Validation Procedure:
1. Mapping analysis of fastq data from 12 samples across five SNP regions against JG2.1 using both RASEN and BWA.
2. Comparative analysis of mapping results.
3. Visual validation using IGV to ensure reliability.

Verification Environment
The validation utilized the FPGA-based RASEN prototype, a high-speed processing platform designed for semiconductor integration. The system configuration included a Ryzen 9 7900 CPU, simulating the performance of the final product.

About Mitate Zepto Technica

Mitate Zepto Technica is a pioneering venture leveraging cutting-edge semiconductor technology to revolutionize genome analysis. By enabling the efficient utilization of genomic data, MZT aims to address global challenges in medicine, food, and energy.

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