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2019/01/10

Pitch 1-7 :Development of Regenerative Medical Product using Human Neural Stem Cell "OligoGenie"

【300ピクセル】P-7 Oligogen.png

【300ピクセル】oligogen.jpgTsuneo Kido

CEO, OLIGOGEN, Inc.

[Summary]

The world population has witnessed more than 600 neurological disorders, of which brain tumors, epilepsy, Parkinson's disease and stroke take a major loaf. However, the saddening fact is that the treatment options for these disorders are minimal.

Canvassing of these facts led to the genesis of Oligogen Inc. in 2015 that aimed at developing treatment possibilities for such neurological disorders. The name Oligogen comes from the word 'oligodendrocyte,' one of major components of brain derived from human neural stem cell. The product has also been granted patent in Japan and the US in 2014.

The developed and patented product has been named as OligoGenie, which is a new type of human neural stem cell. This cell has the capability to differentiate into oligodendrocyte at around 99% efficiency, which is more than five times higher than the competitor's product. The oligodendrocyte regenerates the myelin sheath and prevents electronic leakage.

One of the most striking features of OligoGenie is that it can be expanded up to more than one billion times with no tumorigenicity. In addition, these cells are multi-potent, tolerant to freezing, and highly cost-effective as compared to ES or iPS product.

Oligogen Inc. has now focused its research on developing cell therapy products for treating Pelizaeus-Merzbacher disease, which is one of congenital cerebral hypomyelination. For accomplishing this mission, the Innovation Hub Kyoto has already extended their hands by investing in this venture.

With high potential and hopes, Oligogen Inc. believes in generating profit and growing the business in the future.

[Mentors' comments]

 "How do you plan to deliver this cell therapy in the congenital disease?."Dr. Kevin Grimes, Stanford University

 " Where's this stem cell coming from?."Dr. Toshio Fujimoto, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company


[Profile]

Mr. Kido was studying gene therapy at Kyoto University. He moved to the United States for research on neural stem cells in 2000 and started business in the United States in 2004. In 2015 he launched OLIGOGEN, Inc. in Japan for practical use of regenerated medical products.