The Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University, and Takara Bio Inc. (Takara Bio) have announced a new collaboration for the advancement of iPS cell-based clinical application.

iPS cells have extraordinary promise for new cell therapies, drug discovery and toxicology studies. To fulfill this promise, availablity of quality-assured iPS cells for patient care are essential. Accordingly, CiRA initiated the iPS Cell Stock Project for Regenerative Medicine¹ in the FY 2013.

In order to consistently produce iPS cells of higher quality, CiRA is partnering with Takara Bio, which has expertise in cell production. The two parties will collaborate in building a GMP² grade system to manufacture iPS cells and new quality standards for distribution at CiRA's Facility for iPS Cell Therapy (FiT), which is an academic institute. The partnership is expected to advance iPS cell research and the clinical application.

"Takara has abundant experience in manufacturing, quality management assurance of cells for regenerative medicine including stem cells and gene modified cells. We will make full use of our knowledge and technique, and contribute to realization of medical applications using iPS cell technology for regenerative medicine," said Takara Bio President and CEO Koichi Nakao.

CiRA Director Shinya Yamanaka remarked, "I am extremely grateful to Takara Bio for this partnership. Working together will greatly improve the manufacturing and supply of iPS cells for medical applications. We will keep contributing to medical research by establishing a stable supply system of iPS cells for research and medical institutes."

¹ iPS Cell Stock Project for Regenerative Medicine aims to manucaturing iPS cells with confirmed quality and distribute to research and medical institutions. The project is expected to prepare the stock of iPS cells which will serve approximately 30-50% of the Japanese population for regenerative medicine by the FY 2017.

² GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice), is a quality standard to control and manufacture pharmaceutical products of required quality for commercial use.