Facility for producing low-cost iPS cells opens in Osaka

A new center for producing low-cost induced pluripotent stem cells from a patient’s own blood has opened in Osaka, western Japan.

The Yanai Facility for my iPS Cell Therapy is operated by a foundation affiliated with Kyoto University.

Transplanting tissues derived from a patient’s own iPS cells is expected to reduce the risk of immune rejection.

The cost of production is currently estimated at 50 million yen, or about 350,000 dollars, per batch of cells. The facility aims to reduce the figure to about 1 million yen, or about 6,800 dollars, through automation.

The foundation aims to shorten production time from six months to around three weeks, and supply medical institutions with iPS cells for clinical trials starting by fiscal 2028.

The facility is equipped with 14 automated iPS cell culture devices and storage rooms.

Professor Yamanaka Shinya of Kyoto University, who heads the foundation, says he hopes to provide optimal iPS cells at an affordable price.