In 2022, “ORALPEACE” was selected by JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) for inclusion on the International Space Station (ISS), a project involving JAXA and NASA.
We are pleased to announce that “ORALPEACE” has been selected for inclusion on the International Space Station (ISS), a project involving JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency).
JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) Announcement
https://iss.jaxa.jp/med/partner/71532_result.html
New Daily Necessity “Oral Peace” Approved for ISS Inclusion
https://humans-in-space.jaxa.jp/biz-lab/med-in-space/healthcare/cpi/detail/002377.html
□ Selected Product: Swallowable Oral Care Product – Trife Co., Ltd. ORALPEACE Project
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) solicited ideas combining challenges and issues in space living, common problems between space and ground life, and potential solutions. From 94 submissions, candidates for daily necessities to be deployed on the ISS (International Space Station) around 2022 were selected based on comprehensive evaluation from the perspectives of: A) Improving convenience in space living, B) Solving ground-based challenges and societal impact, C) Feasibility of development, and D) Potential for ISS deployment. Moving forward, JAXA will collaborate with astronauts to confirm development directions and prototypes. Upon completion, a comprehensive evaluation from safety and deployment perspectives will determine eligibility for inclusion on the ISS, involving JAXA, NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration), and other partners. (Excerpt)
□ Overview of ORALPEACE Product and Project:
A swallowable oral care product incorporating the patented lactic acid bacteria peptide formulation NeoNaisin (Patent No. 5750552), offering excellent antibacterial effects against oral trouble-causing bacteria while being safe if ingested.
Developed in 2013 after over 10 years of research, it addresses the medical and caregiving need for safe, burden-free oral care for those who struggle with it, using ingredients safe for bodily absorption. This was achieved through industry-academia-government collaboration with Kyushu University Graduate School of Agriculture, Kagoshima University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, and the National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology’s Department of Oral Disease Research—leveraging world-leading Japanese lactic acid bacteria antibacterial peptide biotechnology to “control bacteria with bacteria.”
This single product enables daily oral care and tooth brushing, meeting the needs of health-conscious individuals, medical and caregiving settings, global demands in the COVID-19 era, and new oral care requirements for humanity in the space living age—all backed by Japanese national university research.
In Japan, it helps reduce elderly caregiving costs exceeding 9 trillion yen while creating jobs and income for people with disabilities nationwide through business involvement. It has received awards such as the Yokohama Business Grand Prix Grand Prize, Japan Venture Award Grand Prize, Japan Agricultural Science and Technology Award, and Good Design Award.
Its swallowable safety, usability without water, and high biodegradability have earned recognition for usefulness among bedridden elderly, patients, people with disabilities, disaster areas with limited water, outdoor activities like hiking, infants, pets, pregnant women, and health-conscious families. It is exported worldwide from Japan to Europe, the Americas, Oceania, Asia, and beyond.
Since the Kumamoto Earthquake, it has actively supported disaster areas with limited water access, including the Hiroshima landslide and Chiba typhoon disasters. During the COVID-19 pandemic, it provided free products to the Diamond Princess cruise ship docked in Yokohama Port (where clusters occurred) and Yokohama disability facilities to prevent severe outcomes through oral hygiene.
ORALPEACE Disaster Area Support Activities
□ ORALPEACE Product Details:
ORALPEACE pursues unprecedented safety and clinical efficacy through joint industry-academia-government research with Kyushu University Graduate School of Agriculture, Kagoshima University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, and the National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology’s Department of Oral Disease Research. Invented from Japan’s pioneering lactic acid bacteria antibacterial peptide research to “control bacteria with bacteria,” it incorporates the plant-based, food-derived patented lactic acid bacteria peptide formulation “Neonisin-e®” (Patent No. 5750552). It cleans the mouth, provides moisture, and offers total care for white, healthy teeth*—a product gentle on both body and nature, made with swallowable ingredients.
The clean, plant-based food-derived lactic acid bacteria peptide formulation “Neonisin-e®” instantly targets oral trouble-causing bacteria at ultra-low concentrations, enabling simple, burden-free care for bad breath, periodontal issues, cavities, tongue, gums, oral cavity, mucosa, and infection prevention*. Made solely from edible and organic ingredients safe if swallowed, it is rapidly broken down and digested in the intestines.
Achieved through Japanese industry-academia-government technological innovation and green technology, it is chemical-free, contains no hard-to-decompose synthetic bactericides, plant resins, or plant antibacterial agents, and is alcohol (ethanol)-free to avoid causing dry mouth-related odor—making it usable by everyone. Fluoride-free (no titanium-corroding components) for implant safety. Sugar-free for cavity-free use. Easy rinsing. Even when discharged into the environment, it is rapidly biodegraded by microorganisms without impacting microbial ecosystems, preserving oceans downstream and maintaining Earth’s beauty—an environmentally harmonious product.
It also moisturizes the oral cavity. By enhancing saliva’s cleansing action, it prevents stain adhesion for whiter teeth while moisturizing dry mouths from arid environments or mask-wearing mouth breathing, preventing odor. A new oral hygiene agent and oral care product suited to the COVID-19 era.
For loved ones. For families concerned about health and seeking safety in daily food and oral products. For those prioritizing daily health and preventive care. For elderly requiring care, patients, and medical/caregiving settings where aspiration or swallowing is a concern and gargling/spitting is difficult.
For infants who swallow toothpaste or those sensitive to chemicals, pregnant/nursing women, those trying to conceive. For babies’ first tooth brushing. For beloved pets.
For water-scarce disaster sites, outdoor activities, and space living. For those wishing to protect Earth’s beautiful environment. A daily-use product gentle on both body and planet—and uplifting for the heart.
Originally developed for bedridden elderly and people with disabilities unable to gargle or spit, its use in space—where water is extremely limited, ultra-conservation is required, and environments are dry—ensures safe, minimal ingredients maintain clean, healthy, moist oral cavities, contributing to the health and QOL of those working in space.
On the ground, this innovative Japanese industry-academia-government technology extends beyond medical/caregiving to disaster prevention in water-scarce or conflict zones, side-effect-free virus infection prevention, chemical-free outdoor/environmental applications, baby/maternity, pet/animal care, and safe skin hygiene—contributing broadly to human progress.
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Since beginning ORALPEACE development, we aimed for space applications. If deployment is realized, it will mark the fruition of over 10 years of industry-academia-government research efforts with Kyushu University, the National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, and others, alongside Japan’s patented technology.
Moreover, a product involving team members with disabilities being used in space will create unprecedented news, bringing dreams, hope, and courage to hundreds of millions of people with disabilities and their families worldwide.
Moving forward, we will proceed with safety, compatibility, and astronaut fit-checks to prepare for deployment as a space-spec oral care product.
Our project team—comprising MDs, DDSs, PhDs in agriculture, engineering, and pharmacy, physicians, dentists, veterinarians, dental hygienists, speech therapists, and caregivers—spans basic to clinical research. We will evolve existing research成果 and patented technologies, applying cutting-edge Japanese biotechnology to create space toothpaste and oral care products.
Using this selection as a catalyst, we will apply ORALPEACE’s technological innovations and research to the new frontier of space while accelerating social contributions: disaster area support through the project, job and income creation for low-income people with disabilities nationwide, and protection of Earth’s natural environment—to advance both space and ground-based human development.
朝日新聞全国版「ひと」2022年10月29日
