First Parkinson’s Patient Receives iPS Cell Treatment at Kyoto University Hospital

Parkinson’s disease is an intractable neurological disorder caused by the progressive loss of nerve cells in the brain, leading to symptoms such as trembling of the hands and feet. An estimated 250,000 people in Japan are affected by the disease.

Osaka-based Sumitomo Pharma has been developing a regenerative medicine product called Amchepry, which involves transplanting nerve cells derived from induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells into the brain to improve symptoms.

The treatment received conditional approval for manufacturing and marketing from Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare in March 2026, marking a significant step toward making regenerative medicine available to patients with Parkinson’s disease.

At a press conference on October 30, Sumitomo Pharma revealed that the first transplant using Amchepry had been performed at Kyoto University Hospital in early October. The patient, a woman in her 50s, has already resumed working, and her postoperative recovery is progressing smoothly, according to the company.

Sumitomo Pharma President Toru Kimura said the company was committed to completing the necessary clinical evaluation and securing full regulatory approval as quickly as possible. “We will make a company-wide effort to complete the Phase 4 trial as soon as possible and obtain full approval,” Kimura said.

The company plans to administer Amchepry to 35 patients by around 2029 as part of its efforts to confirm the treatment’s safety and effectiveness.

The program represents an important step toward establishing iPS cell-based regenerative medicine as a treatment option for Parkinson’s disease, although the therapy’s long-term safety and effectiveness will need to be confirmed through further clinical evaluation.

Source: YOMIURI