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We are pleased to announce that our company’s autologous cultured epidermis “JACE” has received the 10th Technology and Management/Innovation Award – METI Minister’s Award.

A commemorative lecture and award ceremony were held at Tokyo Josui Kaikan on February 15, and Development Leader Inoie and I took part to accept the award. With COVID-19 sweeping Japan, the number of participants was limited, but we are deeply grateful that it was possible to hold a radiant ceremony thanks to the kind offices of the many people involved.

Other products that have received this award in the past include the Fugaku supercomputer and the epoch-making anti-cancer drug Opdivo, for which Dr. Honjo received a Nobel Prize. We are very honored that our autologous cultured epidermis JACE has joined the ranks of these superb technologies. The reason why JACE was selected was described as follows: “As the gold standard in the treatment of difficult-to-treat thermal burns, JACE has contributed to saving the lives of many patients. Moreover, it represents an epoch-making new business model as a maker-initiated bioventure. JACE is also highly rated for being Japan’s first regenerative medical product . . . as well as for the fact that a system of stable supply has been constructed in collaboration with medical institutions, and a total of over 1,000 successful transplants have been performed using this product.”

The thing that pleases us the most about this award is the fact that JACE was recognized not only for the creation of a new technology for regenerative medical products but also for realizing social implementation. It is not easy to realize a stable form of medical treatment that uses the patients’ own cells, and we owe it to assistance from many directions—first, of course, the broad support of people in the national government, but also from the university professors who provided guidance, the doctors at medical institutions who fostered the development of this therapy, and everyone at our affiliated companies, who did so much to promote this business.

Moreover, if I may be so bold as to say so, I am truly happy that the efforts of the individual employees who took responsibility for handling the patient’s precious cells and addressed the various needs that suddenly occurred like thermal burns were recognized in this award.

What we need to do now is to promote regenerative medicine as a more stable industry and expand its value. Efforts in this regard are still inadequate. This award presents us with an opportunity to resolve to try even harder to meet the expectations of the patients as a business that is literally befitting of an innovation award.

March 9, 2022