The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has granted patent US12582677B2 to Sumitomo Chemical Company, Limited. This patent details a novel method for producing retinal tissue from pluripotent stem cells. The process involves sequential floating culture steps in serum-free media with Wnt signal pathway inhibitors, followed by media containing a basement membrane preparation, and finally serum-containing media. The patent also encompasses methods for generating optic-cup-like structures, retinal pigment epithelium, and specific retinal neural cells.

This patent grant signifies a new intellectual property right for Sumitomo Chemical in the field of regenerative medicine and biotechnology. While not a regulatory rule imposing obligations on other entities, it establishes exclusive rights for the patent holder. Companies operating in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical sectors, particularly those involved in stem cell research or retinal tissue engineering, should be aware of this patent to avoid potential infringement and to inform their own R&D strategies. The filing date was April 12, 2021, and the patent is set to expire on March 24, 2026.