Update of the Joint research between Orchard and Astellas : we will start efficacy test using an animal model this year.

Regarding the joint research with Astellas Pharma Inc. (Headquarters : Chuo-ku, Tokyo, President and CEO : Kenji Yasukawa, Ph.D., “Astellas”) whose news was released on February 18, 2022, we are glad to announce that the first-stage of cell-based evaluation test is progressing smoothly, and the second-stage will be started shortly this year.

hAP cell 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. We will start efficacy test using an animal model on the developing 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.