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The retina is a light-sensitive nerve layer (similar in function to the film in a camera), lining the inner surface of the human eye. In the retina, light signals are converted to electrical signals and transmitted to the brain via the optic nerve. Eventually, light signals are processed as vision in the visual cortex. In the center of the posterior pole of the human retina, there is a special region known as the “macula.” In the center of the macula is the fovea, 1.5 to 2 mm in diameter, where light entering through the lens is focused, which functions most importantly for visual acuity. Therefore, if macular function is impaired, sufficient visual acuity cannot be obtained even when other regions of the retina are healthy. When an older person experiences vision problems because of an impaired macula due to aging, it is referred to as age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Somatic stem cell regenerative medicine utilizes somatic stem cells, which are present in various tissues of the body, with the aim of developing new treatments for diseases for which the current standard of care may be limited or unavailable to many patients, or for which no effective treatments are currently available.

A universal donor cell is a kind of cell that can be used for transplantation into anyone. In other words, it is a cell in which the induction of immune rejection^*１ (Human Leukocyte Antigen（HLA^*２）mismatch) has been suppressed, and which can be used for patients requiring transplants without the need for the patient’s HLA to be matched.

Cancer is the leading cause of death in Japan, with approximately 90% of those deaths said to be caused by solid tumors.

Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are established by introducing several factors to somatic cells such as skin cells. iPSCs can differentiate into the cells of a various tissues or organs (pluripotency) and grow indefinitely (proliferation). The objective of iPSC regenerative medicine is to restore cellular function by replacing dysfunctional tissues with cell therapy medicines, which are prepared via a differentiation process (a technique used to artificially change cells into those having specific functions), and which have the same functions as healthy human tissues.