Human Life CORD Japan

What Human Life CORD Japan does

Human Life CORD Japan Inc. (ヒューマンライフコード株式会社) is a Tokyo-based, privately held clinical-stage biotechnology company founded in April 2017 by Masamitsu Harata. The company develops regenerative medicine products from umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (UC-MSCs), leveraging exclusive global licensing of manufacturing technology from the University of Tokyo's Institute of Medical Science (IMSUT). Its lead therapeutic candidate, HLC-001, is being advanced through mid-to-late-stage clinical trials for non-infectious pulmonary complications after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (NIPCs), with additional pipeline programs in sarcopenia, autoimmune diseases, chronic lung disease of infancy, and diabetes-related complications.

The company's core technology is a proprietary UC-MSC isolation, expansion, and quality-control platform supported by GMP-compliant manufacturing and a vertically integrated supply chain that sources domestic umbilical cords through partners including the IMSUT Cord Blood Bank, with manufacturing consigned to Rohto Pharmaceutical in Japan. HLC-001 received Orphan Regenerative Medicine Product designation from Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare in August 2025, and Phase II results showed a 71.4% (5/7) survival rate at 56 days with no serious adverse events. The company also holds a granted patent for UC-MSC application in sarcopenia treatment.

Commercially, the company pursues a B2B model targeting hospitals, transplant centers, and pharmaceutical partners rather than direct consumer distribution. Pre-revenue today, monetization is anticipated via one-time licensing, manufacturing contracts, royalties, and eventual product sales post-approval. Go-to-market relies on regional manufacturing and distribution partners — NYBCe for the United States, Abu Dhabi Biobank and M42 for the UAE/MENA region, and a newly established HLC-MENA joint venture with Hayat Capital — alongside academic and clinical collaborators such as Tokyo University of Science, Nagoya University, and the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (Brazil). Government recognition includes J-Startup selection by METI and the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare Award at the Japan Open Innovation Prize.

Name

Human Life CORD Japan

Legal name

ヒューマンライフコード株式会社

Website

https://humanlifecord.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Human Life CORD Japan is a Tokyo-based, clinical-stage biotech developing umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stromal cell (UC-MSC) therapies, with lead candidate HLC-001 in late-stage trials for post-transplant pulmonary complications, and a pipeline spanning sarcopenia, autoimmune, and pediatric lung diseases. The company licenses its UC-MSC platform from the University of Tokyo and commercializes via regional pharma, CDMO, and biobank partners across Japan, the US, UAE/MENA, and Brazil.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Regenerative Medicine / Cell Therapy

NAICS

Biological Product (except Diagnostic) Manufacturing (325414), Blood and Organ Banks (621991)

SIC

Biological Products, (No Disgnostic Substances) (2836), Pharmaceutical Preparations (2834), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Stem Cell Therapies (MSC/iPSC/HSC-derived) (HLAAABAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Stem Cell–Based Regenerative Therapies (HLAAAGAA), Transplantation & Advanced Therapies Pharmaceuticals (incl. Cell & Gene Therapies) (HLAIAAAO), Cell Therapy CDMO (HLAGABAD), Cell & Gene Therapy Chain-of-Identity/Chain-of-Custody Logistics (HLAGAMAE), Cell & Tissue Banking (biobanking, cord blood/tissue) (HLAAAGAE)

Keywords

• Regenerative medicine
• Cell therapy products
• Umbilical cord MSCs
• Biopharmaceutical development
• Stem cell manufacturing

Headquarters

HQ city

Tokio

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Regenerative Cell Therapy Product Development and Sales: Development and eventual commercialization of UC-MSC based regenerative medicine products. Revenue anticipated from product sales following regulatory approvals. Current development pipeline includes HLC-001 for NIPCs, with additional pipeline programs for sarcopenia, autoimmune diseases, and other indications.
2. Manufacturing Partnerships: Manufacturing委托 contracts with pharmaceutical partners including Rohto Pharma. Contract manufacturing services for UC-MSC cellular products.
3. Licensing and Technology Transfer: Technology licensing and partnership arrangements for global manufacturing and commercialization rights. Includes licensing of manufacturing technology to international partners like New York Blood Center for US market development.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Human Life CORD Japan develops and manufactures umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stromal cell (UC-MSC) therapies for regenerative medicine applications. Its lead candidate HLC-001 targets non-infectious pulmonary complications after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, with additional pipeline programs for sarcopenia, autoimmune diseases, and chronic lung disease of infancy. The company sells cellular therapy products to hospitals, healthcare providers, and pharmaceutical partners through GMP-compliant manufacturing and licensing arrangements.

Product overview

Human Life CORD Japan is a clinical-stage Japanese biotechnology company pioneering the practical application and global deployment of umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (UC-MSCs) as regenerative medicine products. The company's core product is HLC-001 (development code), a UC-MSC-based therapeutic currently in Phase III trials for non-infectious pulmonary complications after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, with earlier-stage development for sarcopenia, autoimmune diseases, chronic lung disease of infancy, and diabetes-related complications. The company operates under Japan's regenerative medicine regulatory framework and is building a global ecosystem spanning Japan, the UAE, USA (via New York Blood Center), and Brazil, establishing GMP manufacturing and clinical translation pathways for its cellular therapy products.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• HLC-001 Human Life CORD's lead UC-MSC-based therapeutic candidate targeting non-infectious pulmonary complications (NIPCs) after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. HLC-001 received Orphan Regenerative Medicine Product designation from Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare in August 2025 and is advancing through mid-to-late-stage clinical development for hospitals and transplant centers.
• UC-MSCs (Umbilical Cord-derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells) Core cellular product platform derived from domestically sourced, stockpiled umbilical cords. UC-MSCs possess immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, and tissue-repair properties and are being developed for treatment of diabetes complications, musculoskeletal degeneration (sarcopenia), autoimmune diseases, and chronic non-communicable diseases. Sold to healthcare providers, hospitals, and pharmaceutical partners through manufacturing and licensing arrangements.

Quantifiable outcome

• Phase II trial for NIPCs: 71.4% (5/7) survival rate at 56 days with clinical improvement and no serious adverse events
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Abu Dhabi Biobank (ADBB)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 March 2026Strategic partnership with Abu Dhabi Biobank (Department of Health - Abu Dhabi and global healthcare leader M42) to localize UC-MSC therapy development and manufacturing in UAE and MENA region. Establishes first localized GMP manufacturing framework for UC-MSCs in UAE. Abu Dhabi Biobank provides biobanking infrastructure, data, governance, and translational pathways. Addresses growing burden of chronic diseases including diabetes complications and sarcopenia in the region.
• New York Blood Center Enterprises (NYBCe)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 October 2025MOU with NYBCe for exclusive CDMO role in US market. NYBCe developing manufacturing facility in Rye, New York with cGMP compliance. Partnership aims to standardize manufacturing and quality control processes between Japan and US, establishing global supply capabilities for high-quality cellular products.
• Hayat Capital (UAE)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 September 2025MOU with Hayat Capital to establish HLC-MENA joint venture for UAE market development. Aims to spread Japanese bio-ecosystem to MENA region. Strategic platform for regional manufacturing and commercialization of UC-MSC therapies.
• Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) - Healthcare Industry International Expansion Promotion ProjectcoreOthers · 27 August 2025Selected for 'FY2025 Healthcare Industry International Expansion Promotion Project' by METI. Project titled 'Demonstration Survey Project for Construction of Preventive Medicine Supply Chain Using Umbilical Cord-Derived Mesenchymal Cells in Indonesia'. Aims to establish local manufacturing and consumption cell therapy ecosystem in emerging markets.
• Nakanoshima Qross - Drug Discovery Cluster Campus ProjectcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 August 2025Selected as Phase 1 support company by Nakanoshima Qross for 'Drug Discovery Campus Project' operated by Foundation for Advanced Medical Promotion. Receives mentoring, pharmaceutical company/investor matching, and overseas ecosystem access support for international expansion.
• Rhelixa Inc.minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 April 2025Participation in Rhelixa's 'Epiclok Co-Creation Project' for anti-aging market development. Cell medicine collaboration for creating and developing anti-aging market opportunities.
• Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), BrazilcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 January 2025Clinical research collaboration with UFRGS for sarcopenia-specific biomarker discovery. Professor Emilio Hideyuki Moriguchi and Professor Renato Bandeira de Mello leading research. Biomarker study with 70 participants aims to support UC-MSC therapy development for sarcopenia treatment. Announced at Japan-Brazil Economic Forum with President Lula's visit.
• Tokyo University of Science / Tokyo Medical and Dental University (東京科学大学)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2024Joint research course 'Lifespan Immunity Medical Implementation Course' with Tokyo University of Science (formerly TMDU). Professor Mori leading research on MSC therapy for difficult-to-treat autoimmune diseases. Utilizes university autoimmune disease registry, clinical data, and biobank for treatment development.
• Rohto Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (ロート製薬)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 February 2022Manufacturing consignment contract with Rohto Pharmaceutical for umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal cell products. Supports stable supply system for global first UC-MSC product development. Part of broader supply chain including Tokyo University IMSUT Cord Blood Bank, Alfresa, and Mochida Pharmaceutical.
• Nagoya University Graduate School of MedicinecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2021Industry-academia collaborative research course 'Human Life CORD Applied Cell Medicine Course' with Nagoya University. Research on UC-MSC therapy for sarcopenia including preclinical studies published in Stem Cell Research & Therapy journal. Long-standing research partnership advancing understanding of MSC mechanisms.
• Tokyo University of Science Institute of Medical Science (IMSUT)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerExclusive global licensing from Tokyo University for UC-MSC manufacturing technology. IMSUT-HLC Cell Processing Facility established at university. Professor Tokiko Nagamura leading research on umbilical cord and cord blood applications.
• Department of Health - Abu DhabicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment partner enabling Abu Dhabi Biobank to utilize public cord blood banking services for regenerative medicine research. Oversees operational activities for cord donation program supporting MSC therapy development.
• M42coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal healthcare group and partner through Abu Dhabi Biobank. M42 operates across 27 countries combining healthcare delivery, biobanking, genomics, and health data platforms. Leverages AI and genomics for preventive, predictive, and personalized medicine.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights8 records

Market position

Competitive moat4 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/humanlifecord
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC6H9MMXalc0HFKAUIzMVzwQ/featured
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• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/human-life-cord-japan-inc

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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