VCCT

VC Cell Therapy Inc. (VCCT) is a Japanese biotechnology firm established on March 8, 2021, as a subsidiary of Vision Care Inc. The company operates in the regenerative medicine sector, with a specific focus on developing advanced cell therapies for retinal degenerative diseases. VCCT was co-founded by Dr. Masayo Takahashi, who serves as the President and Representative Director. Dr. Takahashi is an ophthalmologist with a distinguished career in retinal regeneration research. She led the world's first clinical research involving the transplantation of induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cell-derived retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells in 2014 while at the RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research. Her extensive background in visual pathology and pioneering work with iPS cells form the scientific foundation of VCCT's mission to provide curative therapies for visually impaired patients.

The company's core business involves the research, development, manufacture, and sale of regenerative medicine technologies. VCCT is developing a portfolio of treatments for conditions like retinitis pigmentosa and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Its approach is centered on producing RPE cells and photoreceptor cells from allogeneic iPS cells. One of its key technologies is the Serum-free Floating culture of Embryoid Body-like aggregates with quick reaggregation (SFEBq) technique, which enables the production of high-quality retinal organoids for transplantation. These organoids, once transplanted, have the potential to mature into photoreceptor cells, aiming to restore vision. To address manufacturing challenges such as variability, VCCT has incorporated humanoid robots and AI analytics into its production process to ensure the stable manufacturing of high-quality cells for clinical use.

VCCT's business model is rooted in advancing its product pipeline through clinical trials to commercialization. The company serves patients with incurable retinal diseases for which no effective treatments currently exist. Its clinical development pipeline includes MastCT01 (allogeneic iPSC-derived RPE), MastCT03 (allogeneic genome-edited iPS cell-derived RPE cells), and MastCT-PR (allogeneic iPS cell-derived retinal organoids). The company generates capital through investments to fund its extensive R&D and clinical activities. As of November 2023, VCCT had raised a total of $11.3 million from investors including Sysmex Corporation, DAI-DAN CO., LTD., and YASKAWA Electric Corporation. The company is a key member of the Kobe Eye Center initiative, a consortium that integrates research, clinical practice, and patient care. To facilitate future clinical trials, VCCT established a U.S. subsidiary, VCCT USA inc., in June 2024.

Keywords: regenerative medicine, cell therapy, ophthalmology, iPS cells, retinal degeneration, Masayo Takahashi, retinal pigment epithelium, photoreceptor cells, retinal organoids, age-related macular degeneration, retinitis pigmentosa, allogeneic stem cells, automated cell manufacturing, Kobe Eye Center, Vision Care Inc., clinical trials, biotechnology, gene therapy, SFEBq, ocular diseases