Company History

Retina Institute Japan, K.K. (currently HEALIOS K.K.) was established in Higashi-ku, Fukuoka City.
Discussions were initiated on strategies to commercialize RPE cell transplantation as a treatment for age-related macular degeneration.

Tokyo office was opened in Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo.

Business name was changed to HEALIOS K.K.
The Tokyo office and the main office were moved to Chuo-ku, Tokyo.

Opening of our laboratory (currently the Kobe Research Institute) in Chuo-ku, Kobe.

Agreement signed with Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma Co., Ltd. (Current: Sumitomo Pharma Co., Ltd.) on the joint development in Japan of iPS cell–derived RPE cells for the treatment of age-related macular degeneration. A patent licensing agreement and a joint venture contract was also signed.
Ophthalmic viscoelastic preparation business was transferred from Aqumen Biopharmaceuticals K.K.

Sighregen Co.,Ltd., a joint venture company with Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma Co., Ltd., (Current: Sumitomo Pharma Co., Ltd.) was established.

Main office was moved to Minato-ku, Tokyo.

Start of collaborative research with Yokohama City University on cellular and tissue-based products using iPS and other cells.

Listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange market Mothers (code: 4593).

A license agreement signed with Athersys, Inc. for the development and commercialization of novel cell therapy treatments, including MultiStem® for the treatment of ischemic stroke in Japan.

A business and capital alliance agreement signed with Nikon Corporation in the field of regenerative medicine.

Ophthalmic viscoelastic preparation business containing BBG250 was transferred to D. Western Therapeutics Institute, Inc.

Establishment of Healios NA, Inc. in USA

Change in joint development framework with Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma (Current: Sumitomo Pharma Co., Ltd.) in Japan for the treatment using iPSC-derived RPE cells.

Expansion of business and capital alliance with Nikon in the field of regenerative medicine.

Adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS)

Main office was moved to Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo.

Establish ment of fund subsidiaries in the field of regenerative medicine. including Saisei Ventures LLC in the U.S.

Sign of an agreement with Athersys to expand the overall scope of collaboration for commercialization.

Moved to the Tokyo Stock Exchange Growth Market due to a revision of the market classification.

Establishment of subsidiary ProcellCure, Inc.

Establishment of subsidiary eNK Therapeutics, Inc.

Obtained a global license from Athersys, Inc. for MultiStem® for the treatment of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).

Acquisition of substantially all of the assets of Athersys, Inc