U-Factor Co., Ltd. Signs Joint Research Agreement with Tokyo Women’s Medical University for Therapeutic Development Using U-Factor solution
– Research on Cerebral Aneurysms to be Conducted –

U-Factor Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Hidehiro Ijima, hereinafter referred to as “U-Factor”) has signed a joint research agreement with the Institute of Integrated Medical Sciences, Tokyo Women’s Medical University (Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo; Lecturer: Taichi Ishiguro) on May 1, 2024, to conduct research on cerebral aneurysms using U-Factor solution, a deciduous tooth pulp stem cell culture supernatant. U-Factor aims to develop therapeutics for intractable diseases such as ALS and Alzheimer’s disease using U-Factor solution.

1. Background

Since March 2020, U-Factor has been conducting various joint research projects using its proprietary culture supernatant, U-Factor solution, in collaboration with external research institutions. Starting in 2021, U-Factor has engaged in joint research using U-Factor solution with the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) and Keio University School of Medicine. As part of this ongoing effort, U-Factor will now initiate joint research to evaluate the efficacy of U-Factor solution in treating cerebral aneurysms.

2. What is a Cerebral Aneurysm?

A cerebral aneurysm is a bulging section of a blood vessel in the brain, with an estimated prevalence of about 3%. When a cerebral aneurysm ruptures, it can lead to severe subarachnoid hemorrhage, resulting in death in about 40% of cases. Even if patients survive, many are left with severe disabilities. Currently, the only method to prevent rupture is surgical occlusion of the aneurysm, but this carries risks of surgical complications. Therefore, the development of non-surgical preventive treatments is a critical need. This research aims to evaluate the effectiveness of U-Factor solution in preventing the rupture of cerebral aneurysms.

3. What is U-Factor solution?

U-Factor solution is a highly purified culture supernatant obtained through U-Factor’s proprietary technology during the cultivation of stem cells. It contains a large number of cytokines (proteins with physiological effects) secreted by the stem cells. The efficacy of this solution was first discovered by U-Factor’s Director and Professor Emeritus Minoru Ueda of Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine and colleagues (M Ueda, et al. Neurosci 2015). Further refinement and purification by U-Factor have enhanced the potential of U-Factor solution in terms of safety and efficacy.

4. Overview of the Joint Research

In this joint research, U-Factor solution will be provided to Tokyo Women’s Medical University to conduct various fundamental experiments related to cerebral aneurysms. As mentioned, there is currently no effective non-surgical treatment for preventing the rupture of cerebral aneurysms, and this research will evaluate the efficacy and potential of U-Factor solution in this area.