Recent policies that support clinical application of induced pluripotent stem cell-based regenerative therapies

• Overview of collaborative research center network program related to iPSC-based regenerative therapies in Japan.
• Recent initiatives that promote R&D and review of regenerative medicine products by regulatory authorities of Japan.
• Challenges related to global cooperation among iPSC banks overseas under current regulations.

In Japan, a research center network consisting of Kyoto University to provide clinical-grade induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSC) and several major research centers to develop iPSC-based regenerative therapies was formed for the clinical application of iPSCs. This network is under the supervision of a newly formed funding agency, the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development. In parallel, regulatory authorities of Japan, including the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, and Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency, are trying to accelerate the development process of regenerative medicine products (RMPs) by several initiatives: 1) introduction of a conditional and time-limited approval scheme only applicable to RMPs under the revised Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Act, 2) expansion of a consultation program at the early stage of development, 3) establishment of guidelines to support efficient development and review and 4) enhancement of post-market safety measures such as introduction of patient registries and setting user requirements with cooperation from relevant academic societies and experts. Ultimately, the establishment of a global network among iPSC banks that derives clinical-grade iPSCs from human leukocyte antigens homozygous donors has been proposed. In order to share clinical-grade iPSCs globally and to facilitate global development of iPSC-based RMPs, it will be necessary to promote regulatory harmonization and to establish common standards related to iPSCs and differentiated cells based on scientific evidence.