Toyohara Takafumi, MD, PhD | Tohoku University Hospital; Itai Shun, PhD
Competition Sponsor: Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development
Awardee Year: 2024
Atherosclerosis, the leading cause of stenosis and occlusion in major arteries, results in life-threatening ischemic conditions such as coronary artery disease and stroke. Current treatments, including vascular interventions and bypass surgery, often encounter restenosis—a recurrence of artery narrowing—highlighting the urgent need for more effective therapies. Our groundbreaking approach leverages regenerative medicine, replacing damaged blood vessels with new, healthy ones. We have pioneered a revolutionary therapy using 3D blood vessels created from human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). These iPSC-derived vessels are not only structurally similar to human blood vessels but also function comparably—a world-first achievement. The use of iPSCs offers significant advantages: they provide an unlimited and reliable source of vascular cells and have the potential to bypass immune rejection, both essential for clinical applications.
Our innovative therapy targets a broad range of conditions, including atherosclerosis-related diseases, synthetic organ generation and transplantation, and congenital heart disease. Initially, our focus will be on Lower Extremity Arterial Disease (LEAD), a severe condition where the major arteries in the legs become narrowed or blocked. LEAD can cause ulcers, gangrene, and increase the risk of amputation, significantly diminishing quality of life. Unmet medical needs are particularly high for LEAD compared to other atherosclerotic diseases. Our minimum viable product has been tested in small animals and we will use Catalyst funding to advance to large animal testing prior to clinical application. This breakthrough therapy has the potential to dramatically improve quality of life and promote healthy aging on a global scale.