Tokyo - October 15, 2025 - TheCiRA Foundation is pleased to announce that Mr. Stephen A. Schwarzman, Chairman, CEO and Co-founder of Blackstone, will provide philanthropic support [through one or more charitable organizations] to initiate a new research project centered around cancer therapy using iPS cell technology.

The CiRA Foundation is engaged in research and technology development for clinical application of regenerative medicine using iPS cells. With this support, the CiRA Foundation will launch the following three projects in promising areas for the use of iPS cells.

The philanthropic support will consist of approximately 380 million yen ($2.5 million) from FY2025 to FY2027, with possible additional support for FY2028 and beyond, aligning with progress of the project.

Stephen A. Schwarzman, said: “Japan’s leadership in iPS cell research, led by Dr. Shinya Yamanaka, is opening new possibilities in cancer treatment and regenerative medicine. His groundbreaking work offers hope to patients worldwide, and I am honored to support this important research. I greatly admire the dedication of Dr. Yamanaka and his team as they work toward breakthroughs that could transform healthcare.”

Mr. Schwarzman is an active philanthropist around the world. His philanthropy has included transformational gifts to major universities including the University of Oxford (UK), Massachusetts Institute of Technology (USA), and Yale University (USA), as well as the establishment of Schwarzman Scholars at Tsinghua University in Beijing, China.

Shinya Yamanaka, President of the CiRA Foundation, said: “Next year marks the 20th anniversary of the publication of the original mouse iPS cell paper. Currently, research institutions and pharmaceutical companies worldwide are advancing studies on treatments for various diseases using iPS cells. We express our heartfelt gratitude to Mr. Schwarzman for his tremendous support of the CiRA Foundation, which is working to facilitate the practical application of this research. All our staff understand deeply the strong expectations for the practical application of iPS cells, and we are determined to rise to the occasion. Moving forward, the CiRA Foundation will continue to work closely with CiRA, striving for safe and effective medical applications of iPS cells as quickly as possible.”

This philanthropy will support Japan's world-leading research aimed at deepening and advancing incurable disease including cancer treatment using iPS cells. The iPS cell technology created in Japan is opening up new possibilities for personalized medicine and regenerative medicine by combining outstanding science with human considerations. Clinical applications are now in the development stage, with a few pioneering companies submitting applications for approval of multiple therapies this year.

Mr. Schwarzman is Chairman, CEO and Co-founder of Blackstone, the world’s largest alternative investment firm. Blackstone has been active in Japan since 1987, both investing in the country and managing funds for Japanese institutions and individuals.

*¹ CiRA・・・Abbreviation for Center for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University

For inquiries from the media, please contact

Public Relations Group, CiRA Foundation
media*cira-foundation.or.jp

Blackstone Public Relations Department
Mariko Sanchanta
mariko.sanchanta*blackstone.com

(please change the * to @)