Cultivation supernatants produced by stem cells instead of stem cells, is used for treatment.
First of all, please tell us about your company's business.
U-Factor Hori: We are a company that takes on new regenerative medicine using culture supernatants (named U-Factor solution) produced by stem cells. Although there are many companies in Japan that are engaged in the development of regenerative medicine using stem cells themselves, we believe that we are the only company in Japan that develops pharmaceuticals using stem cell-derived culture supernatants. The Company was established by Mr. Hidehiro Ijima (President and CEO) and Professor Minoru Ueda (Director, Professor Emeritus of Nagoya University).
U-Factor Otake: Our technology is based on the research content of Professor Minoru Ueda. Ueda discovered through non-clinical trials that stem cell-derived culture supernatant contains a variety of bioactive substances, especially culture supernatants made from tooth cord stem cells in milk teeth, has the potential to have a high therapeutic effect on neurodegenerative diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Therefore, we are working on the formulation of a culture supernatant fluid using the toothbrush stem cells of milk teeth, using the toothbrush.
First of all, please tell us about your company's business.
U-Factor Hori: We are a company that takes on new regenerative medicine using culture supernatants (named U-Factor solution) produced by stem cells. Although there are many companies in Japan that are engaged in the development of regenerative medicine using stem cells themselves, we believe that we are the only company in Japan that develops pharmaceuticals using stem cell-derived culture supernatants. The Company was established by Mr. Hidehiro Ijima (President and CEO) and Professor Minoru Ueda (Director, Professor Emeritus of Nagoya University).
U-Factor Otake: Our technology is based on the research content of Professor Minoru Ueda. Ueda discovered through non-clinical trials that stem cell-derived culture supernatant contains a variety of bioactive substances, especially culture supernatants made from tooth cord stem cells in milk teeth, has the potential to have a high therapeutic effect on neurodegenerative diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Therefore, we are working on the formulation of a culture supernatant fluid using the toothbrush stem cells of milk teeth, using the toothbrush.
The "safety" of being able to study at Mitsui Link Lab Kasai
Could you tell me how you moved into Mitsui Link Lab Kasai?
U-Factor Hori: In March 2020, shortly after the company was established, I was blessed with the opportunity to consult with Mitsui Link Lab. At that time, the first declaration of a state of emergency was issued due to the nationwide outbreak of COVID-19, but I remember that the person in charge responded very carefully, saying, "Would you like to see the lab after declaration of a state of emergency is over?" After that, I took a lot of consultations, and in June of that year, I decided to move into Mitsui Link Lab Kasai.
Please let me know if you have any "benefits of lab" that you actually felt when you moved in.
U-Factor Hori: I'm not familiar with the situation in other laboratories, but there is a sense of security that Kasai Lab is located within the Kasai Research and Development Center of Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd. Especially in the case of our company, we prepare our own clean room with cleanliness comparable to cell culture facilities for regenerative medicine and other products, and challenge the culture of culture supernatants and product development.
U-Factor Otake: There are several other rental office labs in Kanto, but each has its own characteristics. For example, in a university-related facility, the period during which you can move in may be limited from the beginning. In the case of our company, setting up a clean room on our own was a decision from the beginning, so it would be difficult if there was a deadline. In that regard, Mitsui Link Lab Kasai was also attractive.
What is the reason why you need a clean room instead of a regular lab?
U-Factor Otake: This is because laboratory scale research results alone cannot be transferred to production. An intermediate process of "consideration in a clean room environment" is essential between research and development in the lab and verification in the manufacturing process. Therefore, we are conducting research on the first lab scale itself in a clean room environment to increase the probability of success in future product development. In fact, there are many cases where research (bridge research) at this intermediate point does not work well, and there are many cases where development is ruined.
Kasai Lab will continue to be the forefront of our research and development.
Are you participating in LINK-J events?
U-Factor Hori: Since the spring and summer of last year, we have been actively participating in symposiums and study sessions organized by LINK-J, and we encourage our staff to participate. Acquisition of new knowledge and information is important for R&D-type companies like our company, and we use them as much as possible. Also, because of my job as a culture teacher, I usually tend to stay in the lab, the opportunity to look at external trends and listen to various people is a valuable opportunity in terms of their career advancement.
Finally, what are your goals and prospects for the future?
U-Factor Hori: In the future, we intend to achieve mass production by outsourcing pharmaceuticals refined from culture supernatant to a contract manufacturing agency. In addition, Mitsui Link Lab Kasai Laboratory at Mitsui Link Lab Kasai will continue to be the root of our R&D and will continue to be the upstream of the development process. Ultimately, we are considering expanding our business not only in Japan but also overseas, and we have already made a blueprint for that. I often talk to my research staff, saying, "The daily work itself is very plain, but in fact, let's do our best with the awareness that we are trying to make great development!"
In today's regenerative medicine, there was a problem that it would become expensive medical care because it requires craftsmanship to increase cells by hand. In response, we established the goal of "delivery regenerative medicine that can be used for one dollar to patients suffering from intractable nervous system diseases through mass production of culture supernatant fluids." We are still challenging the development with the enthusiasm that "if we can't get medicine, the company will be dissolved!", And we will continue to do our best to achieve that goal.