U-Factor Co., Ltd., a Drug Discovery Venture Focused on Developing Therapeutics Using Stem Cell Culture Supernatant, Files Patent for Dry Eye Treatment in Collaboration with Keio University School of Medicine

– A Significant Step Toward the Formulation of Stem Cell Culture Supernatant-Based Therapies –

U-Factor Co., Ltd. (headquartered in Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, CEO: Hidehiro Ijima, hereinafter referred to as “U-Factor”), a drug discovery venture company aiming to formulate therapeutics targeting intractable diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease using Deciduous Tooth Pulp Stem Cell Culture Supernatant, has filed a patent for a dry eye treatment in collaboration with Professor Kazuno Negishi, Research Fellow Yoko Ogawa (scheduled to assume the role of Part-time Lecturer in October 2023), Specially Appointed Lecturer Eisuke Shimizu, and Specially Appointed Assistant Professor Mari Sato from the Department of Ophthalmology at Keio University School of Medicine (Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo).

Through joint research initiated in February 2022, U-Factor and Keio University have invented a novel liquid formulation that may serve as a treatment and preventive agent for dry eye and other ophthalmic conditions. As society ages and digitalization advances, the prevalence of dry eye is increasing annually, with reported rates reaching 17% in men and 30% in women in Japan (A Hanyuda, et al. Ocul. Surf. 2021). Experiments using animal models have demonstrated the effectiveness of the Deciduous Tooth Pulp Stem Cell Culture Supernatant in maintaining tear volume, preventing corneal epithelial damage, and reducing ocular surface inflammation, leading to the filing of a patent for this promising treatment and preventive agent for dry eye.

U-Factor will continue to advance the development of this product towards commercialization, focusing on addressing dry eye and other ophthalmic diseases through its joint patent application with Keio University.

Patent Application Details:

Invention Title: Treatment or Preventive Agent for Dry Eye
Applicants: U-Factor Inc., Keio University
Inventors: Ujing Shu, Keigo Hori (both from U-Factor), Mari Sato, Eisuke Shimizu, Yoko Ogawa, Kazuno Negishi (all from Keio University)
Application Number: Patent Application No. 2023-121228
Filing Date: July 26, 2023

What is Deciduous Tooth Pulp Stem Cell Culture Supernatant?

This supernatant is obtained during the cultivation of stem cells and contains a large amount of cytokines (proteins with physiological effects) secreted by the stem cells. Its effectiveness was first discovered by U-Factor’s Director and Professor Emeritus Minoru Ueda of Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine and his colleagues (M Ueda, et al. J. Craniofac. Surg. 2010, K Matsubara, M Ueda, et al. J. Neurosci 2015). While traditional regenerative medicine has relied on direct stem cell transplantation into the body, concerns regarding the safety of such procedures have persisted. The discovery of the stem cell culture supernatant offers a safer alternative with therapeutic effects comparable to stem cell transplantation.

Illustration of the Deciduous Tooth Pulp Stem Cell Culture Supernatant Purification Process

About U-Factor Co., Ltd.

Established: March 2020
CEO: Hidehiro Ijima
Headquarters: 4-8-1 Kojimachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
URL: https://u-factor.com
Business: U-Factor is focused on developing therapeutics for Alzheimer’s disease using Deciduous Tooth Pulp Stem Cell Culture Supernatant, with the mission of realizing a world free of Alzheimer’s disease. The company is engaged in the research, development, and formulation of this supernatant, originally developed by Professor Emeritus Minoru Ueda.

About Keio University

Founded: 1858
President: Kohei Ito
Location: 2-15-45 Mita, Minato-ku, Tokyo
URL: https://www.keio.ac.jp/en/

Contact Us

U-Factor Co., Ltd.
Phone: +81-3-5357-1580
Email: info@u-factor.com