iWellness
iWellness
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Sample cup and pipette in a laboratory

BioJapan 2026 Oct 7–9, 2026 Pacifico Yokohama

One drop of urine.
A more accessible way to monitor health.

Research and development of a simple, non-invasive test kit using midkine (MK)

Illustrative research image

OUR VISION

We aim to make simple testing and monitoring available at the bedside, in outpatient care, and in remote settings, without relying on costly analytical equipment.

One drop
A small urine sample
Non-invasive
Designed without a blood draw
Visual readout
An easy-to-see color change

WHY MIDKINE

Our midkine research has reported its potential as a tumor marker for early cancer detection.

Our earlier work used a sandwich ELISA and demonstrated measurement with a single drop of urine. Measurement in serum and plasma is also possible.

UniProt
P21741
Mature protein
121 aa / approximately 13 kDa
Classification
Heparin-binding growth factor
Experimental structure Experimental structure of the midkine C-terminal domain
Midkine (MK)C-terminal domain
NMR structure of the human midkine C-terminal domain (PDB: 1MKC).

DEVELOPMENT CONCEPT

We are developing a simple kit with a color reference based on purified midkine as a positive control, so results can be read by eye.

Beyond cancer, we are exploring ways to monitor patient conditions close to where care is delivered.

DEMO @ BioJapan 2026

At our booth, we will show a research-stage demonstration kit that uses a visible color change. We welcome your perspectives on clinical use, testing, collaborative research, and commercialization.

ONE DROP, STEP BY STEP01 / 05

Illustrative research and exhibition demo

  1. Add one drop

  2. Mix gently

  3. Let it rest

  4. Observe the color

  5. Example results

Example results: negative = clear (no change), positive = blue (+), strong positive = blue (+++).

USE CASES

Bedside
Illustration of a nurse speaking with a patient at the bedside

Monitoring during care

Outpatient care
Illustration of a doctor consulting with a patient

Simple testing and follow-up

Remote care
Illustration of a healthcare worker speaking with a resident at an island clinic

Settings with limited equipment

Research
Illustration of researchers collaborating on specimen analysis

Joint development and proof of concept

Research Achievements

Publications(selected)

  1. 01Br J Cancer 2000;83(6):701-706
  2. 02Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2003;306(2):329-332
  3. 03Br J Cancer 2003;88(10):1522-1526

* Research and exhibition demo only. It is not currently an approved medical device or in vitro diagnostic product for diagnosing disease.

CONTACT

We welcome inquiries about collaborative research and business partnerships.

iWellness Inc. Life Science Research Center, Room 119 5-8 Suzaki, Uruma, Okinawa 904-2234, Japan

BioJapan 2026 / Poster

Exhibition poster

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