In June 2008, I joined what was then the iPS Cell Research Center as the person in charge of intellectual property.

When I arrived, basic research was in full swing, but as regenerative medicine using iPS cells progressed towards clinical applications, I was truly grateful to be at the heart of this organization.

I want to thank the many people who made this wonderful experience for me.

What has kept me going for the past 13 years is what Dr Yamanaka said to me back in 2008.

"We work, talk with friends and eat every day as a matter of course, but there are many patients suffering every day while we are doing this."

In the last few years, I have come to strongly realize that in order to make iPS cell technology a common medical treatment, we need to work together as a team, rather than separately.

The more than 100 employees at the CiRA Foundation will continue to work together with thousands of researchers and companies until the day comes when iPS cell technology is a standard medical treatment.