Sumitomo Corporation Invests in AI-based Cancer Radiation Therapy Startup AiRato and Signs Exclusive Overseas Distribution Agreement- Supporting efficient diagnostic imaging and treatment planning with AI for rollout across Asia -

Sumitomo Corporation (Head Office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director, President and Chief Executive Officer: Shingo Ueno) has invested in AiRato Inc. (Head Office: Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture; CEO: Yuto Kimura), a startup specializing in AI-based solutions for cancer radiation therapy. The two companies have concluded an exclusive overseas distribution agreement for AiRato's radiation therapy planning support software (hereinafter "AI planning software"). Sumitomo Corporation will work to ensure regulatory compliance across Asia, with plans to begin distribution in 2026.

The Current State of Cancer Radiation Therapy

In recent years, large hospitals in medically advanced countries including Japan have adopted intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) for cancer treatment. IMRT minimizes damage to healthy tissue while delivering targeted radiation to cancer cells, reducing the burden on patients compared to conventional radiation therapy (Figure 1). However, creating a treatment plan for IMRT can take up to six hours per case, as it requires precise identification of the tumor's location from CT images and detailed calculation of radiation intensity and targeting. This places a heavy workload on doctors and medical staff.

About AiRato and Its AI Planning Software Strengths

AiRato is a startup focused on improving outcomes and streamlining operations in cancer radiation therapy through AI technology. The company was founded on research conducted at the Graduate School of Medicine at Tohoku University and has worked in collaboration with around 15 university hospitals in Japan that actively use IMRT. This experience has advanced the sophistication and practical application of its AI-powered treatment planning software.
By applying AI trained on a vast dataset of past clinical cases, the AI planning software can identify tumors and radiation fields from CT images and cut treatment planning time from around six hours to just 20 minutes. This drastically improves efficiency for physicians and medical staff engaged in IMRT.

Sumitomo Corporation's Related Initiatives

Sumitomo Corporation's Life Sciences SBU has been involved in pharmaceutical-related businesses since the 1970s. Its activities include supporting drug discovery and development for pharmaceutical companies, supplying raw materials, as well as services such as marketing, sales and contract manufacturing. Under its current Medium-Term Management Plan 2026, the company has identified the provision of medical technology support to healthcare providers as a new strategic pillar, building on decades of experience in pharmaceuticals. This latest initiative follows Sumitomo Corporation's investment in AOI Biosciences Inc. (hereinafter "AOI"; formerly Revorf), a Japanese startup that provides testing services for infertility and recurrent pregnancy loss, alongside signing an exclusive overseas distribution agreement for the company. AOI's testing is currently in use at hospitals in Malaysia, and collaborative research is underway in other countries including Indonesia and South Korea, with plans to further expand throughout Asia.

Sumitomo Corporation will leverage its global network built through experience with AOI and apply it to the rollout of AiRato's technology across the Asia region. Moving forward, the company will continue to combine its expertise and global reach in healthcare with the advanced technologies of Japanese medical startups, expanding its medical support business worldwide.

Company Overview

AiRato Inc.

Company Name	:	AiRato Inc.
Key Executives	:	CEO Yuto Kimura, CTO Noriyuki Kadoya
Head Office	:	Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture
Business Description	:	Planning and development of medical software programs
Established	:	2022
Website	:	AiRato Inc. – Supporting healthcare DX with AI for radiation therapy

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Exclusive Overseas Distributorship Agreement Signed with Revorf for Infertility and Recurrent Pregnancy Loss Testing

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