Japan pioneers stem-cell transplant for Parkinson's
The operation at Kyoto University Hospital is a world first, the company says.
31 Oct 2026 0 reads Compiled with AI
Parkinson's disease is a chronic, degenerative neurological disorder that affects the body's motor system, often causing shaking and other movement difficulties. More than 10 million people worldwide are estimated to have the illness. Current therapies improve symptoms but do not slow or halt the disease's progression.
How the therapy works
In October, Sumitomo Pharma carried out the first transplant of induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells into a patient's brain. Japanese regulators gave the therapy conditional approval in March. The cells come from healthy donors and are developed into precursors of dopamine-producing brain cells, which are no longer present in people with Parkinson's.
In a clinical trial, seven patients aged 50 to 69 each received implants of either 5 million or 10 million cells on both sides of the brain. They were monitored for two years, and no major adverse effects were found. Four patients showed improvements in symptoms.
Sumitomo Pharma plans to carry out transplants on 20 to 30 patients by March 2029, and is also running a clinical trial in the United States. The treatment could gain full approval in Japan if its safety and efficacy are confirmed over the next seven years, according to local media.