Astellas and Osaka University Collaborate on Stem Cell Therapy for Disc Degeneration

Astellas Pharma Inc. has announced a research collaboration with Osaka University's Graduate School of Medicine to develop innovative cell therapy for treating intervertebral disc degenerative disease. The partnership involves Astellas Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Universal Cells (a wholly owned subsidiary of Astellas), and Osaka University, combining their unique technologies and expertise to create a pluripotent stem cell-derived cartilage organoid therapy. This approach aims to address the debilitating condition through regenerative medicine.

Universal Cells brings its Universal Donor Cell (UDC) technology to the table, which creates cell therapy products from pluripotent stem cells with a reduced risk of immune rejection by genetically modifying Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA). This technology will be combined with the cartilage tissue creation protocol established by Professor Noriyuki Tsumaki from Osaka University, who is a leading researcher in cartilage diseases. Together with Astellas Institute for Regenerative Medicine's exceptional R&D capabilities, the collaboration aims to develop a groundbreaking cell therapy for intervertebral disc degeneration.

Yoshitsugu Shitaka, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer of Astellas, emphasized the company's commitment to innovation and global collaboration to advance healthcare. Professor Noriyuki Tsumaki highlighted the potential of their cartilage-like tissue to regenerate intervertebral discs, expressing optimism that combining their research with Astellas' UDC technology will accelerate the development of effective regenerative therapies. This collaboration marks a significant step towards delivering next-generation cell therapies to patients suffering from intervertebral disc degenerative disease.

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