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Patent Grant for the Therapeutic Use of UC-MSC in Sarcopenia
– Aiming to Develop Cell Therapy for Sarcopenia Based on the Outcomes of Academia–Industry Collaborative Research –
Human Life CORD Japan Inc. (Head Office: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; President & CEO: Masamitsu Harata; hereinafter “HLC”), a company pioneering the practical application and global deployment of umbilical cord–derived mesenchymal stromal cells (UC-MSCs) as regenerative medicine products, hereby announces that it has been granted a patent in Japan for a technology related to the therapeutic use of UC-MSCs for sarcopenia.
This patent is based on research outcomes obtained through an academia–industry collaborative research program, “Human Life CORD Applied Cellular Medicine Program (September 2019 – March 2022)”, conducted jointly with the Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine (hereinafter “Nagoya University”).
Sarcopenia is a disease characterized by age-related loss of skeletal muscle mass, accompanied by declines in muscle strength and physical function. Through collaborative research with Nagoya University, UC-MSCs were shown to suppress muscle mass loss in accelerated aging model animals.
Based on these research outcomes, the patent covers a cell preparation composed of UC-MSCs intended for the suppression of muscle mass decline. This patent constitutes an important intellectual property foundation for expanding the application of UC-MSCs in the field of regenerative medicine to sarcopenia and other age-related diseases.
Comment from Dr. Masafumi Kuzuya
Director, Meitetsu Hospital
Former Professor, Department of Geriatrics, Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya University
Sarcopenia, characterized by a reduction in skeletal muscle mass and muscle strength, is closely associated with physical functional decline and frailty in older adults and represents a major factor limiting the extension of healthy life expectancy. As the global elderly population continues to increase, addressing sarcopenia has become an urgent challenge not only in Japan but also internationally.
To date, primary interventions have focused on promoting physical activity, appropriate nutritional intake, and social participation. In this context, the cell therapy strategy for sarcopenia using UC-MSCs represent a novel and proactive therapeutic approach, and its future development is highly anticipated.
Leveraging this patent grant, HLC will further advance research and development of regenerative medicine products utilizing UC-MSCs in the field of sarcopenia and other age-related diseases.
In addition, related intellectual property filings are underway outside Japan. With a view toward developing UC-MSC–based cell therapy for sarcopenia in the Americas, HLC is accelerating its global expansion, including clinical research in Brazil and the establishment of a manufacturing framework through Japan–U.S. collaboration with New York Blood Center Enterprises.
HLC builds on its established technologies in society with a long-term perspective on aging.
Patent Information
- Patent Number: JP Patent No. 7803543
- Title of Invention: Cell Preparation for Suppressing Muscle Mass Decline
- Date of Registration: January 13, 2026
- Patent Holder: Human Life CORD Japan Inc.
[Press Release PDF] Patent Grant for the Therapeutic Use of UC-MSC in Sarcopenia
[Contact for Media Inquiries]
Public Relations, Human Life CORD Japan Inc.
Attn: Yuki Hayashi
TEL: +81-80-4671-0405
Email: info@humanlifecord.com
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