What Megakaryon does

Megakaryon Corporation is a Kyoto-based biotechnology company founded in September 2011 to commercialize iPS cell-derived platelet production technology for transfusion medicine. The company builds on exclusive licenses to the Nakauchi/Eto patents from the University of Tokyo (Prof. Hiromitsu Nakauchi) and Kyoto University (Prof. Koji Eto), covering the complete workflow from iPS cells to functional platelets. Its core technical platform establishes immortalized megakaryocyte precursor cell lines from iPS cells via incorporation of three genes; these lines can be cryopreserved and, upon culture, produce large volumes of functional platelets, solving the structural limitation that conventional platelets cannot be frozen and have only a four-day shelf life.

The company's product portfolio centers on MEG-002, an allogeneic human iPSC-derived HLA homozygous platelet product currently in first-in-human clinical trials (first patient dosed June 2022). A second asset, iMDF (iPS-Megakaryocyte Derived Factors), is a growth factor cocktail purified from mature megakaryocytes with targeted applications in pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and cell-culture media industries. Megakaryon's go-to-market is B2B: upon regulatory approval, platelet products will be sold directly to hospitals and medical institutions for transfusion use, particularly for HLA-matched indications, while iMDF and platform technology are positioned for licensing and co-development partnerships with pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and regenerative-medicine companies. In December 2023, Megakaryon became a consolidated subsidiary of Sysmex Corporation, a global in vitro diagnostics leader, providing commercialization infrastructure and strategic backing.

Name

Megakaryon

Legal name

株式会社メガカリオン

Website

https://megakaryon.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Kyoto-based biotech developing iPS cell-derived platelet products for transfusion medicine, based on exclusive patents from University of Tokyo and Kyoto University. Lead product MEG-002 is in clinical trials; subsidiary of Sysmex Corporation since December 2023.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Regenerative Medicine / Cell Therapy Biologics

NAICS

Biological Product (except Diagnostic) Manufacturing (325414)

SIC

Biological Products, (No Disgnostic Substances) (2836)

akta.pro primary industry

Cell Therapy CDMO (Autologous/Allogeneic Manufacturing) (HLAGAGAA)

Keywords

• IPS cell-derived platelets
• Regenerative medicine
• Platelet transfusion
• Cell therapy manufacturing
• Growth factor cocktails

Headquarters

HQ city

Kyoto

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. iPS-Derived Platelet Products: Revenue expected from sale of iPS cell-derived platelet formulations for transfusion medicine. The company is in clinical trial stage (MEG-002) for HLA homozygous platelet products. Once approved, these products will be sold to medical institutions for patients requiring platelet transfusions, particularly those with rare HLA types.
2. iMDF Growth Factor Cocktail: Licensing and sale of iMDF (iPS-Megakaryocyte Derived Factors) for pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and culture media additive applications. The company is exploring partnerships with companies interested in utilizing this growth factor cocktail.
3. Technology Licensing: The company holds exclusive rights to patents from University of Tokyo and Kyoto University for platelet production from iPS cells. Potential for outbound licensing of these technologies.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Megakaryon develops and manufactures iPS cell-derived platelet products for transfusion medicine and regenerative medicine applications. The company's lead product MEG-002 is an allogeneic HLA homozygous platelet formulation currently in clinical trials. It also produces iMDF®, a growth factor cocktail derived from mature megakaryocytes for pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and cell culture media applications. The company licenses its proprietary iPS cell-to-platelet production technology derived from University of Tokyo and Kyoto University patents.

Product overview

Megakaryon is a biotechnology company developing iPS cell-derived platelet products for regenerative medicine and blood transfusion. The core product portfolio includes MEG-002 (human iPSC-derived HLA homozygous platelets in clinical trials), iMDF® growth factor cocktail for pharmaceutical and cosmetic applications, and immortalized megakaryocyte cell lines for research use. The company leverages proprietary technology based on patents from the University of Tokyo and Kyoto University for mass production of platelets from iPS cells.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• iMDF®: iPS-Megakaryocyte Derived Factors - a growth factor cocktail purified from mature megakaryocytes, with potential applications in pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and medium additive industries.

Products and services

• MEG-002 (Human iPSC-derived HLA homozygous platelets) Allogeneic human iPS cell-derived HLA homozygous platelet product designed as a universal platelet formulation for transfusion medicine. Indicated for surgical procedures, thrombocytopenia treatment, and HLA-matched transfusion for patients with rare HLA types or antibody development against foreign HLA. Currently in clinical trials.
• iMDF® (iPS-Megakaryocyte Derived Factors) Growth factor cocktail purified from mature megakaryocytes derived from iPS cells. Has potential applications in pharmaceutical development, cosmetic formulations, and cell culture media additives. Marketed for licensing and partnership use with pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and biotech companies.
• Immortalized Megakaryocyte Cell Lines Cryopreserveable immortalized megakaryocyte cell lines established from iPS cells using the patented three-gene incorporation technique. These cell lines enable mass production of mature megakaryocytes and subsequent generation of large quantities of platelets. Sold/licensed for research and cell therapy manufacturing use.
• iPS Cell Platelet Production Technology Licensing Exclusive licensing of patent portfolio covering ES/iPS cell to platelet production, immortalized megakaryocyte proliferation, and maturation techniques from University of Tokyo (Nakauchi patents) and Kyoto University (Eto patents). Available for out-licensing and co-development partnerships.

Quantifiable outcome

• First patient dosed in June 2022 showed safety with no adverse events and confirmed platelet circulation in patient's bloodstream
• +1 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Harvard University (Boston Children's Hospital)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 November 2015Collaborative research partnership established in November 2015 with Harvard Medical School's Boston Children's Hospital for iPS cell technology development and platelet production research.
• University of TokyocoreTechnology or IntegrationLicensing of Nakauchi patents for iPS cell to platelet production technology. Prof. Hiromitsu Nakauchi's research team developed foundational methods for proliferating megakaryocytes and inducing platelet production from iPS cells.
• Kyoto UniversitycoreTechnology or IntegrationLicensing of Eto patents for iPS cell to platelet production technology. Prof. Koji Eto's research team contributed to the development of platelet production techniques from iPS cells.
• Kyoto University iPS Cell Research Foundation (CiRA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSource of HLA homozygous stock iPS cells for clinical trial product (MEG-002) development. The foundation provides specialized iPS cell lines for research and clinical applications.
• Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment research funding agency. Megakaryon's project was adopted in 2016 for 'Focused on Developing Key Evaluation Technology: Evaluation for Industrialization in the Field of Regenerative Medicine' and in 2021 for CiCLE (Medical R&D Innovation Infrastructure Creation) program.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• Takara Bio: Japanese biotechnology company with cell therapy and regenerative medicine capabilities. Regional peer operating in similar iPSC-related and cell processing technology domains in Japan.
• Heartseed: Tokyo-based clinical-stage biotech developing iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes for heart failure. Comparable Japanese iPSC cell therapy company at similar clinical stage with similar funding profile.
• JCR Pharmaceuticals: Japanese specialty pharmaceutical company developing regenerative medicine products including cell therapies. Comparable Japanese cell therapy developer with overlapping regulatory and commercialization infrastructure.

Broad incumbents

• FUJIFILM Cellular Dynamics: Major iPSC technology provider with capabilities spanning multiple cell therapy applications including potentially platelets. A broader regenerative medicine incumbent with adjacent platform technology.
• Sysmex Corporation: Parent company and global IVD leader that acquired Megakaryon. Provides commercialization infrastructure but is a broad incumbent in diagnostics rather than a direct platelet competitor.

Emerging players

• Megakaryocyte Pharma: Emerging player in the megakaryocyte/platelet production space with adjacent technology focus. Smaller niche player with potential product overlap in regenerative blood products.
• CytoPlex: Emerging cell therapy company with megakaryocyte/platelet-related programs. Focused early-stage player with partial product overlap in the platelet manufacturing space.

Direct peers

• HemostOD: French biotech developing iPSC-derived platelet production using a similar immortalized megakaryocyte cell line approach. Direct technical competitor with overlapping pipeline strategy.
• Platelet BioGenesis: Direct competitor developing iPSC-derived platelets for transfusion medicine. Pursues a similar donor-independent platelet production model and represents the most comparable cell therapy approach in the US market.

Others

• CiRA (Kyoto University iPS Cell Research Foundation): Academic iPS cell research foundation and key supplier/partner of HLA homozygous iPS cells to Megakaryon. Functions as enabling infrastructure rather than a competitor but is central to the technology ecosystem.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/megakaryon

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds4 records

Investors19 records

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Megakaryon