Bio Japan 2021 Highlights: The Commercialization of iPS Cells and the Key to Improving Clinical Trials

One of the most critical international biotechnology conferences, Bio Japan, invited professor Shinya Yamanaka over the Regenerative Medicine Japan to share the application of regenerative medicine and the latest developments in induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells. Professor Shinya Yamanaka is a 2012 Physiology or Medicine Nobel Prize winner, and his research mainly focuses on iPS cells.

The speakers in the conference were:

1. Miyata Mitsuru, from Miyata Institute of Technologies, Co. Ltd.
2. Yamanaka Shinya, from Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University
3. Masayo Takahashi, President of Vision Care Inc

The Challenge of iPS cell, the Valley of Death

Prof. Shinya Yamanaka first did a recap of iPS cell research history. It has been 15 years since the first iPS cell mice study in 2006; during this time, there have been numerous novel achievements in the research. However, the valley of death remains a big challenge for the development of iPS cell.

To fill the gap from research to the market, VC Cell Therapy, the Japanese regenerative medicine company, has collaborated with the world’s first iPS cells research institution, Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA) at Kyoto University, to perform retinal therapy with iPS cell self transplantation.

The Development of iPS Cell Therapy Against COVID-19

The application of iPS cell in clinical research has been broadened, and the COVID-19 pandemic also gave it a chance to spread its wings.

Prof. Shinya Yamanaka presented the results and clinical data of a COVID-19 treatment developing clinical trial conducted in CiRA. In order to put iPS cell into treatment for COVID-19, the research team recruited 12 patients recovered from COVID-19 and extracted iPS cells from 6 of which to conduct cell culture experiments.

Meanwhile, CiRA is also looking for an opportunity to share the iPS cell database with the FDA, which would decrease the costs and time of clinical trials tremendously.

Level Up the Regenerative Medicine in Clinical Use

Masayo Takahashi, the president of a start-up company, VisionCare, introduced the vision of VisionCare, which is the dedication to discovering new therapies for all patients. The primary goal is to solve retinal diseases in the next ten years.

While iPS cell therapy has achieved numerous accomplishments in treating eye diseases, the effects vary from patient to patient. Furthermore, the significant cost of treatment often causes hospitals to have a budget deficit.

To universalize regenerative medicine, it is necessary to cultivate talent and amend the law, noted Dr. Takahashi. Meanwhile, the aim of regenerative medicine is to pick the most appropriate and affordable therapy for individual patients according to their disease progression. 

Dr. Takahashi also anticipated that more devices and equipment could be included in the healthcare system to provide online diagnosis service precisely. Additionally, it would be delightful if regenerative medicine could be included in health insurance, thus lowering the treatment threshold.

The Evolution of iPS Cell Technology is Like a Marathon

Despite there being several challenges to overcome in order to universalize the iPS cell technology, prof. Shinya Yamanaka stated that the research institution will continue to seek more collaboration opportunities with private enterprises to promote the commercialization and universalization of the iPS cell. The biggest challenge in the future would be how to amend the law in order to put iPS cell therapy into practice. Prof. Shinya Yamanaka wished that self iPS cells would be improved in 2025 and thus marking another milestone in regenerative medicine.

Author

Aurora Mau