Taito

Taito Co., Ltd. is a Japanese company, now a part of Mitsui DM Sugar Co., Ltd., that operates a specialized life science division alongside its historical sugar business. The company is most notable in the pharmaceutical sector for the development and manufacture of Schizophyllan (marketed under the brand name Sonifilan), a branched beta-glucan derived from the fungus Schizophyllum commune. Sonifilan is utilized as an immunotherapeutic adjuvant in the treatment of cervical cancer to enhance the efficacy of radiotherapy. Beyond its oncology portfolio, Taito produces functional carbohydrates, including cyclodextrins and other specialty ingredients, for the healthcare, cosmetic, and food industries. The company has a long history of large-scale fermentation expertise and was a pioneer in the commercialization of fungal polysaccharides.