Kyoto University Innovation Capital Corporation ("Kyoto University Innovation Capital")Kyoto-iCAP(Head office: Sakyo-ku, Kyoto; Representative Director: Kimi Kusumi) as its general partner, has made an investment in TSK Corporation (TSK; Head office: Seika-cho, Souraku-gun, Kyoto; Representative Director: Eun Cheol Sun), a venture company that utilizes the research results of Kyoto University. (TSK; Head office: Seika-cho, Souraku-gun, Kyoto Prefecture; Representative Director: Sun Eun Sung), a venture company that utilizes the results of Kyoto University research.

Outline of this investment
TSK is a Kyoto University venture established in July 2021 based on the results of research on iron catalysts by Professor Shoji Nakamura (Organic Molecular Transformation Chemistry Laboratory, Institute for Chemical Research, Kyoto University).

Originally, severe reaction conditions such as strong acid/alkali or high heat were required to assemble the molecular skeleton of organic compounds, but with the development of cross-coupling reactions catalyzed by heavy precious metals such as palladium and ruthenium, various organic compounds used in liquid crystal, organic EL materials, medicine, agrochemicals, etc. can be efficiently synthesized. These reactions have made it possible to efficiently synthesize various organic compounds used in liquid crystals, organic EL materials, medicine, and agrochemicals. However, recent expectations for environmentally friendly ESG/SDG manufacturing methods and the rising price of heavy precious metals have increased the need for alternative methods to synthesize organic compounds using new catalysts that are inexpensive, readily available, and safe for both the human body and the environment.

Prof. Nakamura has been developing novel catalytic reactions using "iron," which is less expensive and less biotoxic than heavy precious metals. He has been involved in the industrial diffusion of iron catalytic technology, including highly efficient synthesis of liquid crystal compounds, synthesis of intermediates for asthma drugs, and synthesis of functional aromatic amines for use in non-steroidal analgesics and organic electronic materials.

TSK will conduct joint research with Prof. Nakamura to further accelerate social implementation of iron catalyst technology. First, TSK will aim to commercialize new organic electronic materials developed through the Incubation Program, an intramural grant program of Kyoto University. We will also use iron catalysts as our own platform technology to support the development of new organic compounds and the replacement of organic compound synthesis with iron catalysts through heavy precious metal catalytic reactions.

Kyoto-iCAP(TSK) has executed a new investment of 100 million yen through a third-party allocation of new shares, highly evaluating the future potential of TSK's production and sales of new high value-added substances developed based on "iron catalyst chemistry," licensing of related technologies, and manufacturing method support business.

Outline of TSK Corporation

Establishment	July 2022
Business	TSK makes a catalyst for social innovation – Sustainable Chemistry with Iron and Renewable Carbon Resources
Head Office Location	Seika Town, Souraku-gun, Kyoto
President & CEO	Sun, Eun-tsung