The Japan cell therapy market was valued at US$ 198.5 million in 2020 and is forecasted to reach US$ YY million by 2027, with a CAGR of 7.1% during the forecast period (2020-2027).
Cell therapy is the transfer of intact, live cells into a patient to help lessen or cure a disease. The cells may originate from the patient or a donor. In cell therapy cellular material is injected, grafted or implanted into a patient; this generally means intact, living cells. The growth of Japan cell therapy market size is driven by several factors such as an increase in prevalence of chronic diseases, technological advancement in the cell therapy segment and the favorable initiatives by government and private organizations. However, high costs associated with cell therapy is one of the factors restraining the growth of Japan's cell therapy market. The market is segmented on the basis of type, technology and cell source. The type segment includes Autologous and Allogeneic. By technology segment the market is segmented into Somatic Cell Technology, Cell Immortalization, Viral Vector Technology, Genome Editing, Cell Plasticity and 3D Technologies and the cell source segment includes Hematopoietic Stem Cells, Skeletal Muscle Stem Cells, Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Others. Heartseed, a startup that grew out of Keio University, plans trials for a stem cell therapy for heart disease as early as 2021. It has raised a total of 800 million yen ($7.1 million) from Astellas Pharma and other investors, and will work with them to mass-produce heart muscles out of iPS cells.
Market Dynamics
Drivers
- Increasing Cases of Chronic Diseases
- Favorable Government Initiatives
- Technological Advancements
Restraints
- High Cost of Treatment
- Technological Advancements
Technological Advancements
Japan is a technologically well off country in all aspects whether its pharmaceuticals, medical devices or cell therapy development.
Since the discovery of human embryonic stem cells, scientists have had high hopes for their use in treating a wider variety of diseases because they are pluripotent. However, the acquisition of human embryonic stem cells from an embryo can cause the destruction of the embryo, thus raising ethical concerns. In 2014, researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital, in collaboration with the RIKEN Center for Developmental Biology in Japan, demonstrated that any mature adult cell has the potential to turn into the equivalent of an embryonic stem cell.
Dr. Yamanaka succeeded in creating the iPS cells using mice in 2006, and in humans in 2007. He was a pioneer in the segment and received the Nobel Prize for the same. Cell therapy researchers and experts say they have been the surprise beneficiaries of an increased interest in Japan in novel treatments, spurred by separate advances in induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells.
Many major cell therapy clinical trials are undergoing in Japan and many others are approved. Efforts are now being launched by the Japanese government to use artificial intelligence to accumulate experiences of researchers who handle iPS cells and standardize them.
In March 2017, Japanese scientists carried out the world's first eye transplant using donor stem cells. The procedure involved transplanting retina cells created from donor-induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC). It marked an important milestone in the country’s already thriving technologically advanced regenerative medicine sector.
By using a stockpile of iPSCs rather than relying on the patient's own cells, the team significantly cut the cost of the operation and the time required to prepare the patient, taking it closer to becoming a more viable option for those suffering from age-related macular degeneration.
Company Profile
Novartis Ag
- Novartis AG develops, manufactures, and markets the healthcare products.
- The company mainly operates through three business segments: Innovative Medicines, Alcon, Sandoz, and Corporate.
- The Sandoz segment provides active ingredients and finished dosage forms of pharmaceuticals in the areas of cardiovascular, central nervous system, dermatology, gastrointestinal and hormonal therapies, metabolism, oncology, ophthalmic, pain, and respiratory; active pharmaceutical ingredients and intermediates primarily antibiotics.
- The company have global presence in Europe, America, Asia, Africa and Australia.
- Tewis Bouwmeester, Developmental and Molecular Pathways Basel Site Head at Novartis, mainly focuses on regenerative medicine and notes the use of patient’s own stem cells to be used in precision techniques.
