Kyoto University to Spin Off iPS Cell Stockpiling

Kyoto, Dec. 19 (Jiji Press)--Kyoto University plans to set up a new body to stockpile induced pluripotent stem, or iPS, cells for regenerative medicine, Shinya Yamanaka, professor at the Japanese university, said Tuesday. Establishing a public interest corporation to take over the iPS cell stockpiling business from the university will help it easier to secure engineers and make profits, Yamanaka, the inventor of the cell, said at a press conference. "Our mission remains the same, to supply iPS cells in a stable manner and at low costs," said Yamanaka, director of the university's Center for iPS Cell Research and Application, or CiRA. The new body's operations will be funded by its own revenues from selling iPS cells as well as donations. Explaining how he will be involved in the new body, Yamanaka said, "I will bear the responsibility for at least its scientific aspect." The university started the stockpiling business in fiscal 2013. The government spent some 8.2 billion yen in taxpayer money on the business by fiscal 2017, which ended last March. But there is criticism that the business is not suitable for a university. Making iPS cells from patients' own cells is time-consuming and costly. The CiRA makes iPS cells that are less likely to be rejected after transplants and stockpiles them for regenerative medicine. The stockpiled iPS cells are compatible with 32 pct of the Japanese as of December, according to the center. END