Tokyo Medical and Dental University and Celaid Therapeutics Inc. joint research agreement on research and development of gene-modified cell therapy using human bone marrow hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs)

Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU) and Celaid Therapeutics Inc. (Celaid) are pleased to announce the signing of a joint research agreement. 

This agreement was established for research and development of novel gene-modified cell therapies using human bone marrow HSCs for inborn errors of immunity* and is expected to spur next-generation gene-modified cell therapy development in Japan. Distinguished Research Professor Tomohiro Morio with his team at the TMDU Laboratory of Immunology and Molecular Medicine and Celaid will jointly explore new treatments for inherited immune disorders through the application of Celaid’s novel HSC expansion technology to HSCs isolated from human bone marrow. These cells will be evaluated after gene modification.

In pursuing this project, TMDU and Celaid will be advancing the research and development of gene therapies using human HSCs based on domestically produced technology and research results, and we will strive to accelerate the delivery of treatments to patients suffering from inborn errors of immunity.

* This project, “Research and Development of Novel Gene-modified Cell Therapies for inborn errors of immunity” at TMDU is commissioned by the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED) as a part of the AMED program for R&D Program of Regenerative Medicine and Cell and Gene Therapy from the Basic to Nonclinical Phase in the Acceleration Program of R&D and implementation for Regenerative Medicine and Cell and Gene Therapy. 

Overview of Tokyo Medical and Dental University
Tokyo Medical and Dental University was established as a national educational institution for dentistry on October 12, 1928, and currently located in the Yushima/Shoheizaka area of Tokyo, which is considered sacred ground for scholarship and learning in Japan. Since then, as Japan’s only comprehensive medical university and graduate school, TMDU has provided advanced medical treatment through a fusion of the medical and dental fields and worked to cultivate “professionals with knowledge and humanity,” thereby contributing to human health and the well-being of society.
Institute of Science Tokyo (Science Tokyo) was established on October 1, 2024, following the merger between Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU) and Tokyo Institute of Technology (Tokyo Tech), with the mission of “Advancing science and human wellbeing to create value for and with society.

Celaid Therapeutics Overview
Celaid Therapeutics Inc. is a startup born out of the University of Tokyo and University of Tsukuba with proprietary technology for selective ex vivo HSC expansion. By safely and efficiently expanding human HSCs, Celaid aims to provide the next generation of cell and gene therapy products for cell therapy targeting hematologic disease, ex vivo HSC gene therapy for genetic disorders, and angiogenesis for ischemic diseases.