U-Factor Co., Ltd., aiming to develop innovative drugs using U-Factor® solution, announces a comprehensive service agreement with IROM Group, a leading SMO company.

～Accelerating preparations for clinical trials through collaboration with a Japanese SMO industry leader～

In November 2024, U-Factor Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Hidehiro Ijima; hereinafter referred to as “U-Factor”) entered into a comprehensive service agreement with I’rom Group Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Toyotaka Mori; hereinafter referred to as “I’rom Group”). This partnership represents a significant step toward the formulation of U-Factor® solution.

1．Background of the Collaboration

Dr. Minoru Ueda, Professor Emeritus of Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine and a member of our board of directors, has dedicated decades to researching conditioned media derived from stem cells, which contain a variety of cytokines (K Matsubara, M Ueda, et al., J. Neurosci, 2015). Building on his foundational research, we adopted Dr. Ueda’s protocols and, since March 2020, have developed our proprietary conditioned medium, U-Factor® Solution. In collaboration with esteemed institutions, including the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) and Keio University School of Medicine, we have conducted extensive joint research to explore the therapeutic potential of U-Factor® Solution. These partnerships have enabled us to deepen our understanding of the product’s applications. With the insights gained from these studies, we are now taking the next critical step: advancing to the formulation phase. This collaboration marks a significant milestone in our mission to bring innovative cytokine-based therapies to fruition.

【Current Collaborative Research Partners】

For more information on our research partners, click here：https://u-factor.com/joint/

2．Details of the Collaboration

I’rom Group Co., Ltd. brings extensive expertise in drug development support, spanning SMO/CRO services and advanced medical technologies such as vector-based therapies. Through this partnership, we aim to accelerate key processes in drug discovery, including the establishment of a large-scale production system for U-Factor® Solution, cell banking initiatives, and preparations for non-clinical studies and Phase I clinical trials.
Our proprietary U-Factor® Solution holds the potential to be effective in treating ALS and other intractable diseases. This collaboration is expected to make a significant impact on addressing global unmet medical needs and advancing the frontiers of regenerative medicine.

3．Company Information

4．Comment on the Agreement

【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.

【Glossary of terms】

Unmet Medical Needs:
This term refers to medical needs for diseases and conditions for which effective treatments have yet to be discovered.

Vector Technology:
A technique for delivering genes or drugs into cells. It includes methods using viral vectors as well as non-viral approaches, and it is widely applied in therapeutic and research contexts. In gene therapy, vector technology is used to correct or supplement defective genes responsible for disease.

Cell Banking:
A technology for preserving cells in a state suitable for long-term storage. Specific cells are frozen under strict quality control conditions and can be thawed and used as needed. This foundational technology supports stable research and production in fields such as regenerative medicine and drug development.

【U-Factor Co., Ltd.】

Established: March 2020
CEO: Hidehiro Ijima
Headquarters：1st Floor, ESCALIER Rokubancho, 7-11 Rokubancho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
URL: https://u-factor.com/
Business:U-Factor aims to develop therapeutics for intractable diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease using U-Factor solution. The company is committed to addressing unmet medical needs by developing new drugs for diseases for which no effective treatments currently exist.

【I’rom Group Co., Ltd.】

Established: April 1997
President & CEO: Toyotaka Mori
Headquarters： Iidabashi Grand Bloom, 2-10-2 Fujimi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan
URL: https://www.iromgroup.co.jp/
Business: As a pioneer in Site Management Organizations (SMOs), I’rom Group Co., Ltd. has been committed since its founding to improving patients’ quality of life. Our efforts include supporting clinical development of pharmaceuticals and advancing innovative medical technologies. Leveraging proprietary vector technologies, we are actively engaged in research and development of gene therapy products. Additionally, we focus on applying cutting-edge medical technologies to develop new products such as cosmetics and promoting the practical application of regenerative medicine.

＜Contact Us＞
U-Factor Co., Ltd. Public Relations Department
TEL: +81-3-5357-1580
Email: info@u-factor.com