Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. and Otsuka Pharmaceutical Factory, Inc.., announce to invest in share of Megakaryon Corporation, which is pursuing clinical applications for, and ultimately commercialization of, technology that creates platelets from iPS cells (induced pluripotent stem cells).

The two Otsuka-affiliated companies are to invest approximately one billion yen (approximately USD 9 million at the current exchange rate) for a third-party allotment of shares in Magakaryon. Separately, the Innovation Network Corporation of Japan, a public-private investment fund, is also investing in an allotment of third-party shares. Based on these investments, Megakaryon aims for early commercialization of iPS-cell-derived platelet preparations.

The investment will support Magakaryon's development efforts in the field of regenerative medicine, an area in which Otsuka is also conducting research. These research and development activities will further strengthen Japan's international competitiveness in the field of regenerative medicine using iPS cells and expand the scope of practical applications for the iPS cell technology.