Japan's health ministry approves iPS cell products for first practical use

NHK World Japan ^ | 3/6/26 | Staff

[jonatron]

Japan's health ministry has announced formal approval for the domestic manufacture and sale of two products for the treatment of heart disease and Parkinson's disease using iPS cells. It means such treatments will be put to practical use for the first time in the world.

One of the products subject to Friday's announcement is cardiomyocyte sheet ReHeart. It was developed by University of Osaka startup Cuorips to treat ischemic cardiomyopathy, a serious heart disease.

The other is AMCHEPRY, a cell product for transplantation into the brains of patients with Parkinson's. The disease causes symptoms such as tremors in the limbs. Sumitomo Pharma, headquartered in Osaka, previously submitted an application.

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TOPICS: Japan; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: ips; stemcells

[jonatron]

According to a search engine: "Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are a type of pluripotent stem cell generated by reprogramming adult somatic cells—such as skin or blood cells—back into an embryonic-like state."

[BullwinkleMoose]

Let’s hope this works for Parkinson’s - it is a terrible disease with no cure.

[jonatron]

I hope so, maybe these treatments will help repair heart damage as well.

[gibsonguy]

Amen

[aquila48]

Yeah, I had a heart attack a few years ago that damaged my heart muscles. I wouldn’t mind given this a shot.

I also read a book recently by Tony Robbins and a couple of doctors called “Life Force”. Truly fascinating. It covers state of the art research being done in life longevity and rejuvenation - iPS cells is one of the areas they cover. And there are lots more.

It’s basically a book about curing the disease of old age - and they’re getting close. Very compelling read!