Corporate InformationMessage from our CEO

Transforming patients' lives
Aiming for a world where
growing older is more enjoyable.

CEOMasamitsu Harata

Human Life CORD was founded in 2017 as a biodrug discovery venture with the intention of social innovation, "Change the world with the umbilical cord."
In collaboration with the Institute of Medical Science, the University of Tokyo, Human Life CORD supports the transformation of the umbilical cord as a resource through storage and quality control of umbilical cords obtained via informed consent from obstetric hospitals in a manner that maintains the public benefit of the Cord Blood and Umbilical Cord Bank of the Institute of Medical Science, Tokyo University (Head of Institution: Dr. Tokiko Nagamura), which is our technical seeds. At the same time, through clinical trials using umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stromal cells, our mission is to produce regenerative medicine that lead to the desire for patients requiring new therapeutic options to live (“Cord”). With the vision of aiming for a world where growing older is more enjoyable (“Human Life”), we have been using "Cord of life, leading future" as our motto since establishment.

Our corporate logo features two flapping wings, expressing the desire to be a human life cord that supports many people. The company's mindset toward creating a trusting relationship with all stakeholders is expressed by the heart, with the concept of "Link with life" that leads from the umbilical cord.
In this world where sustainability is important, we will form a new ecosystem that utilizes umbilical cords which have been considered as waste. Then, we will build a platform for umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stromal cells based on a global strategy to promote state-of-the-art sustainability management that will be the first of its kind in the world.

Founder, Representative Director
President and CEO, Chairman of the board
Masamitsu Harata

[Profile]

Born in Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture. After working on vascular aging research at the predecessor of the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (METI), he completed his Master’s degree in Agriculture and Genetic Engineering at the Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Gifu University. In 1998, he joined the clinical development team at Nippon Kayaku Co., Ltd.. In 2000, he joined the clinical development team at Amgen Inc. His contribution during his first year to obtaining approval for consensus interferon was highly regarded and he received the company president’s award. He worked on the development of Romiplostim (genetically-modified protein that promotes platelet formation) and denosumab (anti-RANKL antibody).

Later, as a researcher in the Division of Molecular Therapy at the Institute of Medical Science, the University of Tokyo, he studied novel targeting therapies for refractory acute leukemia. In 2004, he delivered an oral presentation at the meeting of the American Society of Hematology, which was the first time in 10 years for a member of a laboratory in the Institute of Medical Science, and his achievements include presentations at many society meetings and papers accepted in “Blood” of the American Society of Hematology, which is the most authoritative journal in the field of hematology. In 2007, he joined the Medical Marketing division of Celgene Corporation. He led the establishment of an in-house sales system for the pharmaceutical approval of lenalidomide (thalidomide derivative). Contributed to achieving sales of ¥10 billion in the second year of launch. He was then promoted to Head of Clinical Development (youngest ever to join the leadership team) and oversaw the global development of six products in the hematology-oncology field. Around this time, he felt a great potential for cell therapy derived from perinatal products and decided to work on commercialization in Japan and Asia. In 2013, he left Celgene. While learning management (Master of Management and MBA) at a New York business school he drew up a business plan. In 2015, he joined SymBio Pharmaceuticals Ltd. and was Chief Business Officer (CBO) and head of the sales marketing headquarters.

In 2017, he established Human Life CORD Japan Inc. As the CEO and Founder, in cooperation with the Institute of Medical Science of the University of Tokyo, as well as stakeholders who support the mission of the business, he is leading the commercialization of umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stromal cells. As activities outside of business, he is affiliated with the Tokyo Kiwanis Club and the America-Japan Society. His hobbies include swimming, tennis, watching movies, and enjoying rakugo (traditional Japanese comedy).