Collaborative research aiming to develop innovative treatments over a 10-year period
T-CiRA is a joint research program by the Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University and Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited. Over a 10-year period and under the direction of CiRA, this joint program will conduct research to develop clinical applications of iPS cells. We aim to develop innovative drugs and cell treatments in such areas as heart failure, diabetes mellitus, neuro-psychiatric disorders, cancer and intractable muscle diseases in order to fulfill the needs of patients promptly.
Professor Shinya Yamanaka
Director of Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University
"This 10-year joint program with Takeda, Japan's largest pharmaceutical company, will become a powerful engine to realize medical applications using iPS cells," said Yamanaka. "We sincerely thank Takeda's commitment to iPS cell research. This partnership will contribute to the development of new therapies to cure not only major diseases but also rare ones."
Christophe Weber
Representative Director, President & CEO, Takeda
"I am excited that we will be able to collaborate with CiRA, the world's leading institute dedicated to pioneering iPS cell research," said Christophe Weber, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Takeda. "Through this partnership, our company will provide significant assistance over a long period to CiRA's research into iPS cell technology applications, which is a vital part of Japan Revitalization Strategy. It is our hope to deliver innovative treatments that meet patient needs as soon as possible through this collaboration between Takeda and CiRA."
T-CiRA (Takeda-CiRA) Joint Program Framework
T-CiRA Discovery in Takeda promotes T-CiRA Joint Program.
T-CiRA Joint Program is unique collaborations with academia and Takeda led by Professor Shinya Yamanaka in Shonan Health Innovation Park.
Yasushi Kajii
Head of T-CiRA Discovery, Takeda
In T-CiRA Joint Program takes innovative approaches toward clinical solutions for rare and intractable disease patients who were previously without effective therapeutic options. Our projects are progressing rapidly, using the power of iPS cells, to formulate novel therapeutic options. Working closely together, academic and pharma researchers are mapping uncharted territory to discover breakthrough solutions. Our approaches with iPS cells could provide transformative progress in Neuroscience, Gastroenterology, Oncology and Rare Diseases, as well as type I diabetes and heart failure, accompanied by outcomes as small molecule drugs, cell therapy and gene therapy. Our dream is that patients will receive such life-changing therapeutic options discovered through our 10-year collaborative research effort.
Takeda
- To provide collaborative funding of 20 billion yen over a 10-year period
- To provide more than 12 billion yen worth of research support
- To provide R&D know-how
- To provide research facilities at Shonan Research Center
- To provide platform for drug development
- To provide access to compound libraries
- To provide researchers
CiRA
- To direct the research program
- To provide iPS cell technologies
- To provide drug development targets and assay systems
- To provide principle investigators, researchers and postdoctoral fellows