The CiRA Foundation provides iPS cells to research institutions and companies. Our main projects are the “iPS Cell Stock Project” and the “my iPS Project.”
Thanks to a generous donation from Mr. Tadashi Yanai, Chairman, the President and CEO of Fast Retailing Co., Ltd., the CiRA Foundation established a new facility for the my iPS Project—Yanai Facility for my iPS Cell Therapy (Y-FiT)—located at Nakanoshima Cross, Osaka, in April 2025. On May 29, Y-FiT received official approval from the Kinki Regional Bureau of Health and Welfare to operate as a cell manufacturing facility for clinical research. The opening ceremony was held on the morning of June 20, when Mr. Yanai and Dr. Shinya Yamanaka, President of the CiRA Foundation, attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony in front of an audience.

Mr. Yanai and Dr. Yamanaka addressed questions from the media during a press conference following the ceremony. Afterwards, the two posed for photographs with their hand-written messages, with Mr. Yanai’s saying, “Future, Hope, Happiness—iPS Cells for Everyone,” while Dr. Yamanaka’s read, “Bringing iPS Cells to Medical Applications.” Mr. Yanai explained the meaning behind his message: “Future, hope, and happiness are what we need most right now. I chose this message with the hope that iPS cells will lead to groundbreaking treatments.” Regarding his support for medical research, including the my iPS Project, he added, “For society to truly thrive, businesses must contribute back. Through my donation to the my iPS Project, I hope to help advance revolutionary medical treatments.”

Y-FiT was established using approximately 1.5 billion yen from Mr. Yanai’s total donation of 4.5 billion yen.
Dr. Yamanaka commented, “Regenerative medicine using my iPS cells—derived from the patient’s own blood—is the ultimate approach to minimizing immune rejection. Creating an environment where we can offer iPS cells to companies at fair prices tailored to each patient’s condition is a major step forward.”
Looking ahead to the 20th anniversary of the publication of the first paper on mouse iPS cells next year, Dr. Yamanaka expressed his aspirations, “We want to produce iPS cells here in Japan that can be used by patients around the world, contributing to longer, healthier lives.”

In the afternoon, a commemorative symposium titled “The Current Status and Future of iPS Cell Applications” was held. Addressing an audience of approximately 150 stakeholders, Dr. Yamanaka expressed his gratitude and outlined the CiRA Foundation’s role and the current state of medical applications of iPS cells.

The address was followed by a keynote lecture from Dr. Masayo Takahashi, President and Representative Director of Vision Care Inc., titled “Retinal Regenerative Medicine: Present and Future.” Dr. Takahashi, who achieved the world’s first retinal cell transplant using iPS cells in 2014, shared insights from her decade-long research journey, dedication to patients, and hopes for the my iPS Project.

Next, Mr. Masayoshi Tsukahara, Executive Director and Head of the Research and Development Center at the CiRA Foundation, discussed current research efforts and challenges within the my iPS Project.