Takeda Pharmaceutical and Fujifilm have partnered to develop regenerative medicine therapies using cardiomyocytes derived from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) for treating heart failure.

Takeda and Fujifilm signed a contract on February 8, 2018 that allows Takeda right of first negotiation to collaboratively and globally commercialize regenerative medicine products using cardiomyocytes derived from iPSC, currently under development by Fujifilm’s affiliate company, Cellular Dynamics International. Under the contract, Takeda will make a one-time payment to Fujifilm, and both companies will evaluate the safety and efficacy of resulting regenerative medicine therapies.

The collaborative research will combine Fujifilm’s experience with iPSC-related technologies and engineering technology helped by its photographic business with Takeda’s iPSC technology capabilities. The partnership will be fostered by collaborative research with the Center for iPS Cell Research and Application at Kyoto University as well as Takeda’s experience with preclinical and clinical studies for drug development.

Source: Takeda Pharmaceutical Company