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About K Pharma

From the CEO

The increasing incidence of unmet medical needs, particularly with respect to intractable neurological diseases and spinal cord injuries (SCI), has generated strong demand for effective treatments and associated drugs. The Keio University School of Medicine has for many years been a world leader in the field of iPS drug discovery (particularly following the 2007 publication of human iPS cell research by Shinya Yamanaka) as well as regenerative medicine. It was clear that we needed to start developing commercial applications for this research. To this end, K Pharma was founded in November 2016 by myself together with Professor Hideyuki Okano (Department of Physiology) and Professor Masaya Nakamura (Department of Orthopaedic Surgery).

K Pharma continues to work closely with the School of Medicine. Recent successes in iPS drug discovery include the completion of the first two phases of clinical trials of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) treatment, with the third phase about to begin. We are also looking to expand on iPS drug discovery for other intractable neurological diseases. We are also working together on regenerative medicine, where the focus is currently on preparations for sponsor-initiated subacute SCI trials. In the future, we plan to broaden the scope of regenerative medicine to include treatments for chronic SCI and cerebral infarctions.

At K Pharma, we are motivated and inspired by the entrepreneurial spirit of Shibasaburo Kitazato, the first dean of the Keio University School of Medicine, who said that research alone is of little consequence unless it can be of use to wider society. Another source of inspiration is Yukichi Fukuzawa, who stressed the importance of having the courage to try new endeavors, despite the risk of failure, because that is the only way that one can know the outcome. Our corporate philosophy is about promoting health care through innovation in medical science. The K Pharma policy is predicated on accelerating the development of effective new treatment drugs through targeted R&D in regenerative medicine and drug discovery. Above all, we are dedicated to improving patient outcomes.

President and CEO Komei Fukushima

November 1st, 2016
K Pharma, Inc.

President and CEO Komei Fukushima

From the founding scientists

  • K Pharma founder and director

    Keio University
    Professor Hideyuki Okano

  • K Pharma founder and director

    Keio University School of Medicine, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery
    Professor Masaya Nakamura

Corporate Philosophy

Promoting health care through innovation
in medical science

Management Policy

Accelerating the development of effective new treatment drugs through targeted R&D in regenerative medicine and drug discovery

K Pharma is dedicated to developing new drugs and treatments as quickly as possible for patients around the world who are suffering due to lack of effective treatments. Our innovative approach harnesses the combined expertise of industry and academia, drawing on the groundbreaking results of years of painstaking R&D in the academic sector as well as our own technical development prowess.
Our current focus is on two areas: iPS drug discovery, using iPS cells for pharmaceutical research; and regenerative medicine, which involves transplanting neural cells obtained through differentiation induction from iPS cells.

  • Our name

    Our name

    K Pharma is a bio-venture originating from Keio University. The K denotes Keio, and also references the ideals of kindness and knowledge, while Pharma is a contraction of pharmaceuticals, signifying our mission of drug discovery for regenerative medicine and other medical products.

  • Our logo

    Our logo

    The stylish logo is based on the shape of a capital K and incorporates multiple elements that represent cells as well as the processes of development, connection and growth. The circular element references the extensive collaboration required between expert scientists and pharmaceutical companies in order to transform academic research findings into viable pharmaceutical products. Finally, the logo symbolizes our aspirations in striving for a better and brighter future.