Presentation on Peripheral Nerve Cells Derived from Canine iPS Cells

Vetanic will present the results of our study on the differentiation of peripheral nerve cells from canine iPS cells and the functional analysis of these cells at the 24th Congress of the Japanese Society for Regenerative Medicine.

　

While we are currently developing canine iMSC products for veterinary regenerative medicine, we are also actively researching the differentiation of various cell types to demonstrate the potential of our technology. In a world-first achievement, we have successfully induced the differentiation of peripheral nerve cells from canine iPS cells. We will report these findings at the upcoming conference.

　

The patent for the establishment of animal iPS cells has been granted in Japan.

We are pleased to announce that we have been granted a patent in Japan for the foundational technology behind the establishment of animal iPS cells (Patent No. 7591219). This patent, based on the results of joint research by Keio University and Nihon University, was filed jointly, and Vetanic holds an exclusive license to its utilisation.

　

Establishing iPS cells (induced pluripotent stem cells) in various animal species other than mice has long been recognised as a challenge. These species, known as “Resistance to pluripotency induction”, contain many animals that are closely connected to humans, such as dogs and cats. Our technology founders – Professor and Director Hideyuki Okano of the Keio University Regenerative Medicine Center, Professor Seiji Shiozawa of the Disease Model Research Center at Kurume University School of Medicine, and Professor and Director Kazuya Edamura of the Nihon University Animal Medical Center at Nihon University College of Bioresource Sciences – have developed a proprietary method to stably induce iPS cells in these animal species and establish cell lines suitable for clinical applications.

　

This patent grant confirms the patentability of this method within Japan. Moving forward, we aim to secure patent approval for this technology in other countries as well.

　

Technical Details:
Establishing methods to produce iPS cells from various animal species – a critical resource forming the foundation of cell engineering using stem cells.

https://www.keio.ac.jp/ja/press-releases/2021/4/2/28-78924

Announcement of Basic Agreement on Business Partnership with Kojin Bio Co., Ltd. for Product Development

We are pleased to announce that we have entered into a basic agreement on a business partnership with Kojin Bio Co., Ltd. (TSE Growth 177A, President: Takahito Nakamura) for “the development of animal iPS cell-derived regenerative medicine and related research-use products.”

Kojin Bio is a leading company in the regenerative medicine field, expanding its business domestically and internationally through the unique development of cell culture media and contract services for cell processing. Additionally, the company has engaged in pioneering research efforts in the field of veterinary medicine.

Through this partnership, we accelerate research and development, promote the manufacturing of higher-quality product, and expedite the early acquisition of marketing approval of our cell therapy product to achieve our goal of “global-standard animal regenerative medicine.” Furthermore, we collaborate with Kojin Bio to develop various animal iPS cell-derived cells for the purpose of basic research with their accumulated expertise.

Please refer to the PDF below for further details. (JAPANESE language only)

The article introducing Vetanic has been made available at Nikkei Biotechnology & Business Online on the 5th April 2024.

Please refer the online article from below URL link. (available to the subscription members only)

Nikkei Biotechnology & Business, 5th April 2024　特集連動◎多様化と高度化が進む動物薬　「Vetanic、イヌ・ネコのiPS細胞作製技術で複数疾患に対する再生医療等製品を開発」