Shiseido Cell-Processing and Expansion Center to be opened in Kobe, Japan

Shiseido Co., Ltd. (TOKYO:4911) announces plans to open the Shiseido Cell-Processing and Expansion Center (SPEC) on May 1, 2014. The center, located in the in the Kobe Biomedical Innovation Cluster in Kobe, Japan, will centralize research and development on hair regenerative medicine with an aim toward commercialization.

Regenerative medicine in Japan is an emerging industry which the government aims to foster through new legislation and revisions to existing law as part of economic reform strategies, in order to advance in this field. Shiseido has a long history of conducting comprehensive research and working towards commercialization of the regenerative medicine for hair.

Shiseido's hair regenerative medicine technology

With the goal of clinical application of regenerative medicine to treat alopecia and thinning hair, Shiseido concluded a technical collaboration agreement in July 2013 with a Canadian bio-venture company RepliCel Life Sciences Inc. (hereinafter referred to as "RepliCel") acquiring an exclusive geographic license to use RepliCel Hair-01 (RCH-01) hair regeneration technology in Asia, including Japan.

RCH-01 has been developed over 10 years of scientific research, and safe application in humans has been validated by RepliCel's phase 1 clinical trial. RepliCel has patents issued for hair follicle mesenchymal stem cells and their usage in Japan, the United States, Australia and the EU. RCH-01 is an "autologous cell transplantation technology," in which specific cells⁽¹⁾ isolated from the hair follicles⁽²⁾ taken from the scalp of a patient are cultured and implanted (injected) into the balding scalp area, potentially stimulating residing hair follicles and promoting new growth in the balding scalp area.
(1) Dermal Sheath Cup cells, which are believed to play an important role in promoting hair growth
(2) A hair follicle is a skin organ composed of various cell types that support hair growth and structure.

Kobe Biomedical Innovation Cluster

The Kobe Biomedical Innovation Cluster is one of the core bases of the Kansai Innovation International Strategic Comprehensive Special Zone designated by the Japanese government to promote industrial development in advanced medicine and to provide a competitive advantage in the international market. It is the largest national cluster zone specialized in life sciences, with the focus on promoting translation of leading scientific research and advanced knowledge in regenerative medicine into clinical use.

• Kobe Biomedical Innovation Cluster
  Located in Kobe Port Island, it has been endorsed by the city of Kobe to promote its commercialization through integration of industry, academia, and government. There are over 270 biomedical companies, academic, medical, and government organizations situated in this area and working in collaboration towards clinical application of regenerative medicine, and the development of new pharmaceutical products and medical equipment.

• Business Support Center for Biomedical Research Activities
  SPEC will be located in the Business Support Center for Biomedical Research Activities, a core facility consisting of research and CPC sections. It has been built to provide support and space for research and commercialization of regenerative medicine.
  Address: 1-5-5 Minatojimaminamimachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe-shi, Hyogo 650-0047, Japan