The CiRA Foundation (located in Sakyo-ku, Kyoto City) will open a new research and development facility at Nakanoshima Qross, Osaka City, for the my iPS Project. The "Yanai Facility for my iPS Cell Therapy" will manufacture clinical-grade cells, and is named after Mr. Tadashi Yanai (Chairman, President and CEO of Fast Retailing Co., Ltd.), who donated construction costs and other expenses for the facility. Operations for the "Yanai Facility for my iPS Cell Therapy" are set to begin in April 2025.
About the Name
English Name ：Yanai Facility for my iPS Cell Therapy
Japanese Name：Yanai my iPS製作所 (seisakusyo)
Abbreviation ：Y-FiT
The clinical manufacturing facility will be a key part of the my iPS Project. The name for the facility was chosen after consultation with CiRA Foundation staff, and recognizes Mr. Tadashi Yanai, whose donations to the my iPS Project include construction and operation costs of the facility.
Background
The CiRA Foundation commenced its activities in April 2020 to serve as a bridge to industry for the practical application of regenerative medicine using iPS cells, including the “iPS Cell Stock Project”.
In the iPS Cell Stock Project, iPS cells for medical use are produced and stockpiled in advance, then provided to companies and research institutions at accessible rates.
The “my iPS Project” is part of this effort, and includes the Yanai Facility for my iPS Cell Therapy – a research and development facility with a clinical iPS cell production center located at Nakanoshima Qross, Osaka City. The donation from Mr. Tadashi Yanai will be used to establish and operate the facility.
History
1）June 2020：Mr. Tadashi Yanai (Chairman, President and CEO of Fast Retailing Co., Ltd.) agreed to donate 500 million yen annually (4.5 billion yen in total) to the my iPS Project of the CiRA Foundation, starting in fiscal year 2021.
2）June 2021：Concluded fixed-term building lease of Nakanoshima Qross.
3）April 2025：Operations of the Yanai Facility for my iPS Cell Therapy to commence.
Overview of the Yanai Facility for my iPS Cell Therapy
Cell manufacturing rooms, laboratories, cell storage rooms, etc.（total floor space 1,854.27m2）
About the my iPS Project
The my iPS project, one of the main activities of the CiRA Foundation, is developing technologies to widely disseminate cell therapies using autologous iPS cells as the raw material. The project aims to achieve a low-cost, high-quality cell production workflow through various methods, such as developinng automated devices for the establishment of iPS cells in a closed system.
Inquiries
【For inquiries about the my iPS project】
Public Relations Group
Email: contact*cira-foundation.or.jp
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【For inquiries about donation】
Philanthropy Office
E-mail：donation*cira-foundation.or.jp
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