KYOTO, Japan – Special technology developed by Kyoto University Prof. Shinya Yamanaka to create induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells has been patented in Japan, the university has announced.

IPS cells have the potential to develop into any kind of cells, including human organ and tissue cells. The patent marks the first time that patent rights were granted for this type of stem cell technology in Japan. The patent will expire in December 2026.

Kyoto University officials said the patent allows the university the exclusive right to create iPS cells from the cells of all types of animals, including human beings.

In addition, university officials indicated they have applied for patent rights in other countries. According to the university, the patent was on a process that turns animal somatic cells into iPS cells by introducing four types of genes into normal tissue. The patent protects the technology from use by foreign companies.

Meanwhile, U.S. researchers have succeeded in producing iPS cells from human skin cells with a combination of genes. Also, clinical research on a way to utilize chemical substances in the production of iPS cells has been conducted in the United States.

Attention is now on the range and scope of the Kyoto University patent. Soon after achieving an initial break-through by creating iPS cells from the cells of mice in December 2005, the university applied for patent rights.

In December of the following year, another medical breakthrough was achieved – the creation of iPS cells from human skin cells. Application for a global patent was filed soon after this discovery.

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AP-NY-09-13-08 1652EDT