Megakarion, a spin-off of Kyoto University’s Center for iPS Cell Research (CiRA) will begin clinical trials on iPS cell-derived blood platelets and aims for commercialization in 2020. In addition, the company has built a consortium of six companies to build a value-chain for commercialization of the technology. The members and their role are as follows:
Satake Scientific Machinery Industry: Machine for manufacturing process
Nissan Chemical Industries: Reagents to efficiently increase megakaryocyte precursor cells
Otsuka Pharmaceutical Factory: Infusion for long-term preservation of platelets
Kawasumi Chemical Industry: Filter for separating and purifying platelets
Kyoto Manufacturing Co., Ltd.: Assembling equipment for automating processing
Sysmex: Counter for measuring platelets
Cimic: Pre-clinical trials and negotiation with the administration
Megakaryon news release, August 7, 2017