Kyoto University Pancreatic Endoderm Cell Production Method

USPTO published a patent application for a method of producing pancreatic endoderm cells. The claimed method comprises culturing pancreatic endoderm cells in a medium containing a ROCK inhibitor combined with KGF (keratinocyte growth factor) and/or EGF (epidermal growth factor). The application also covers pancreatic endoderm cells produced by this method.

For biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies engaged in regenerative medicine or diabetes research, this patent application represents potential intellectual property that could affect freedom-to-operate for similar cell production methods. Competitors developing pancreatic cell therapies should monitor prosecution of this application and evaluate potential licensing needs or design-around strategies.