Megakaryon

About Megakaryon

Megakaryon is a biotechnology company focused on the commercialization of platelet preparations derived from human induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells. The company was founded in September 2011 to commercialize the research of Professor Hiromitsu Nakauchi's and Professor Koji Eto's teams at the University of Tokyo and Kyoto University, respectively. Genjiro Miwa is a co-founder of the company. In December 2023, Megakaryon became a consolidated subsidiary of Sysmex Corporation.

Megakaryon is addressing the global challenge of platelet shortages, which are crucial for treating patients with traumatic injuries, cancer, and other conditions. The current reliance on blood donations faces limitations due to aging populations, shrinking donor pools, and the short four-day shelf life of platelets. The company has developed a method for the mass production of platelets from iPS cells. This process involves creating immortalized megakaryocyte cell lines, the precursors to platelets, which can be cryopreserved and expanded to generate a stable and safe supply of platelets on demand. This technology has the potential to provide a consistent source of HLA-matched platelets, reducing the risk of transfusion rejection in patients who have received multiple transfusions.

The company's product pipeline includes HLA-homoplatelets, HLA-null platelets, and the iMDF® growth factor cocktail, which has applications in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and medium additive industries. Megakaryon operates on an open innovation model, collaborating with numerous domestic and international academic institutions, research institutes, and companies to advance its technology and bring its products to market. The company has received significant funding from various investors, including the Innovation Network Corporation of Japan (INCJ), and has formed a consortium of 15 companies to support commercialization efforts. In June 2022, Megakaryon initiated a first-in-human clinical trial of its allogeneic human iPSC-derived HLA homozygous platelets (MEG-002), a significant milestone toward regulatory approval and commercialization.