Concluded a joint research agreement with Astellas Pharma Inc.

Orchard Bio Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Kobe, Hyogo, President: Kenichi Shinozuka, B.Acy., “Orchard Bio” ) today announced that Orchard Bio and Astellas Pharma Inc. (Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo, President and CEO: Kenji Yasukawa, Ph.D., “Astellas” ) have entered into a collaborative research agreement for the reaserch of hAP cells (Holding Active Pharmaceutical ingredient cells ) in December 2021.

hAP cells are hybrid regenerative medicine products that combine drugs and cells. The drug is pre-encapsulated in bioabsorbable polymer PLGA (Poly Lactic-co-Glycolic Acid) nanoparticles and incorporated into cells. When administered into the body, hAP cells accumulate at the site of injury, exerting the original healing ability of the cells and releasing the drug. In the joint research, we will conduct preclinical research on hAP cells that combine animal adipose tissue derived stem cells with a drug provided by Astellas Pharma.

Through this collaboration, we will further expand the possibilities of our hAP cells platform.