I'rom Group

What I'rom Group does

I'rom Group Co., Ltd. (株式会社アイロムグループ) is a Tokyo-headquartered Japanese holding company founded in April 1997 that operates four business segments: Advanced Medical Technology, Site Management Organization (SMO), Contract Research Organization (CRO), and Medical Support Services. It employs 1,347 staff as of March 31, 2025 and was delisted from the Tokyo Stock Exchange Prime Market in May 2025 following an MBO by BXJB II Holding KK. The group is led by President & CEO Toyotaka Mori (森豊隆).

The Advanced Medical segment, run through wholly-owned subsidiary ID Pharma Co., Ltd., is the technology anchor and centers on proprietary Sendai virus (SeV) vector technology and the CytoTune-iPS iPSC reprogramming kit series. CytoTune-iPS uses a cytoplasmic RNA vector that avoids chromosomal integration, generating iPSCs efficiently with rapid vector disappearance; the technology is patented across Japan, the US, Europe, China, and Australia. Related platforms include CytoTuneEX-iPS (fastest vector elimination), GenoTune (precise gene modification via homologous recombination), F/HN pseudotype SIV vectors for respiratory gene delivery (cystic fibrosis), brown adipocyte differentiation technology, and emerging InCDC genome editing (announced April 2026). ID Pharma holds tripartite (Japan/US/EU) GMP-compliant vector manufacturing facilities, a Specific Cell Processing Product Manufacturing License, a Regenerative Medicine Product Manufacturing License, and First-class Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Manufacturing and Marketing Licenses. Subsidiaries ICELLEAP (ICHIKA cosmetics brand) and In Co., Ltd. (cross-border e-commerce) extend the iPSC culture supernatant technology into consumer cosmetics and OTC/pharmaceutical distribution in Asia.

Revenue is generated through a diversified mix: professional services in SMO (CRC/SMA staffing and IRB support at medical institutions) and CRO (clinical trial monitoring, data management, biostatistics), managed services in CDMO (viral vector and cell processing contract manufacturing), product sales of research kits via Thermo Fisher Scientific and Nacarai Tesque, technology licensing/royalties to pharma and biotech (Janssen, Merck, Boehringer Ingelheim, Evotec, STEMCELL Technologies, Sumitomo Pharma, Tanabe Mitsubishi), and consumer products sold via TV shopping and Chinese cross-border e-commerce. The go-to-market is primarily B2B sales-led to pharmaceutical companies, biotech, academic institutions (Kyoto University CiRA, Kyushu University, National Institute of Infectious Diseases), and hospitals, supplemented by international channel partners.

Name

I'rom Group

Legal name

I'rom Group Co., Ltd.

Website

https://iromgroup.co.jp

Company type

Public

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

I'rom Group is a Tokyo-based Japanese holding company operating four healthcare business segments: Advanced Medical (viral vector and iPSC technology via ID Pharma), SMO clinical trial site management, CRO clinical research, and Medical Support services. It serves pharmaceutical, biotech, academic, and medical institution customers across Japan and globally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Clinical Research Services & Regenerative Medicine CDMO

NAICS

Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714)

SIC

Biological Products, (No Disgnostic Substances) (2836), Pharmaceutical Preparations (2834)

akta.pro primary industry

Viral Vector Manufacturing Services (AAV, lentiviral, adenoviral) (HLAAAKAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Gene Therapy CMC/Process Development Platforms (capsid engineering, producer cell lines, plasmids, upstream/downstream) (HLAAACAN), Clinical Trial Monitoring Support (On-site/Remote) (HLAGACAG), Clinical Trial Informatics (EDC/CTMS/eCOA/eTMF) (HLAGAJAM), Clinical Quality Assurance (GCP QA, TMF/QMS oversight) (HLAGAKAI)

Keywords

• Clinical trial services
• Site management organization
• IPS cell technology
• Viral vector manufacturing
• Regenerative medicine CDMO

Headquarters

HQ city

Tokyo

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices17 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. SMO Services (Site Management Organization): Clinical trial support services for medical institutions, including CRC (Clinical Research Coordinator) and SMA (Site Management Associate) staffing, protocol management, and IRB support. Revenue from pharmaceutical companies and medical institutions.
2. CRO Services (Contract Research Organization): Clinical trial management, data management, biostatistics, and regulatory support for pharmaceutical companies and academia. Services include doctor-initiated trial support and epidemiological surveys.
3. CDMO Services - Vector Manufacturing: Contract development and manufacturing of viral vectors (SeV, SIV, lentivirus) for gene therapy and regenerative medicine. Services range from research-grade to clinical trial GMP-grade vector manufacturing.
4. CDMO Services - Cell Processing: iPS cell manufacturing and cell culture processing services using CPC facilities. Clinical-grade iPS cell production for regenerative medicine applications.
5. Research Kit Sales: Sale of CytoTune-iPS reprogramming kits (research and clinical grade) and GenoTune gene modification kits. Distributed through Nacarai Tesque (Japan) and Thermo Fisher Scientific (global).
6. Licensing Revenue: Licensing out CytoTune-iPS technology and SeV vector patents to pharmaceutical companies and biotech firms globally. Increasing licensing contracts year by year.
7. Cosmetic Products (ICHIKA®): Sales of premium cosmetics containing iPS cell culture supernatant through TV shopping, e-commerce, and OEM services.
8. Cross-border E-commerce: Sale of OTC pharmaceuticals, quasi-drugs, and cosmetics to China and Asia through Company In's cross-border EC business.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

I'rom Group is a Japanese healthcare holding company operating four integrated businesses: (1) Advanced Medical Treatment - proprietary Sendai virus (SeV) vector-based CytoTune-iPS reprogramming kits, GenoTune gene modification kits, CDMO manufacturing of viral vectors and iPS cells under GMP, technology licensing, and ICHIKA premium cosmetics using iPS cell culture supernatant; (2) SMO - clinical trial site management and CRC/SMA staffing for medical institutions; (3) CRO - clinical development, monitoring, biostatistics, and the MARVIN EDC/PhambieLINQ systems; (4) Medical Support - clinic mall development and operation.

Product overview

I'rom Group operates as a diversified healthcare group with four main business segments. In the Advanced Medical Business, the company offers CytoTune®-iPS and CytoTuneEX®-iPS (iPS cell reprogramming kits using Sendai virus vector technology), GenoTune® (gene modification kit), ICHIKA® cosmetics (premium skincare using iPS cell culture supernatant), and iCELL BANK (iPS cell banking service). CDMO services include vector contract manufacturing and cell culture processing. The SMO Business provides clinical trial site management support through CRC/SMA staff. The CRO Business offers clinical research services including statistical analysis, monitoring, and the MARVIN EDC system. The Medical Support Business operates clinic malls and provides comprehensive medical facility management services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CytoTune®-iPS: iPS cell reprogramming kit using Sendai virus vector technology for research and clinical applications
• ICHIKA®
• CytoTuneEX®-iPS
• GenoTune®
• iCELL BANK
• iPS Super Nayant Application®
• PhambieLINQ
• MARVIN
• aSBo Cloud System

Products and services

• CytoTune®-iPS iPS cell reprogramming kit using proprietary Sendai virus (SeV) vector technology to efficiently generate induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) without chromosomal damage, with rapid vector disappearance and high efficiency. Sold globally through Nacarai Tesque (Japan) and Thermo Fisher Scientific (international), for research and clinical applications.
• CytoTune®-iPS 2.0LG Clinical-grade iPS cell reprogramming kit using Sendai virus vector technology, designed for cell therapy and clinical applications including regenerative medicine manufacturing.
• CytoTuneEX®-iPS Enhanced iPS cell reprogramming kit offering the fastest vector elimination in the CytoTune series, using miRNA target sequences in the KLF4 vector and compliant with biological-origin raw material standards for clinical use.
• GenoTune® Gene modification kit that cuts donor plasmid DNA in the nucleus, induces crossover-type homologous recombination, and replaces target DNA sequences with intended sequences to enable safe and precise gene modification. Distributed through E-Nacalai in Japan.
• ICHIKA® Cosmetics World-first Japan-origin premium cosmetics brand using human iPS cell culture supernatant (containing cytokines, growth factors, and exosomes) as a key ingredient, marketed via TV shopping and online channels under the iPS Super Nayant Application® brand.
• SMO Services (Site Management Organization) Clinical trial site management services for medical institutions including CRC (Clinical Research Coordinator) staffing, SMA (Site Management Assistant) support, protocol management, IRB coordination, and patient recruitment to enable efficient and GCP-compliant clinical trial execution. The core SMO business since 1997.
• CRO Services (Contract Research Organization) Clinical research services for pharmaceutical companies and academia including clinical trial management, monitoring, data management, biostatistics, regulatory support, and doctor-initiated trial support, primarily executed through Icross Co., Ltd. and CMAX Clinical Research Pty Ltd (Australia).
• MARVIN (EDC System) Electronic Data Capture (EDC) system used for clinical trial data management, supporting pharmaceutical companies, biotech companies, and academic institutions in capturing and managing clinical study data.
• Clinic Mall Services Medical support services including the establishment and operation of clinic malls (multi-specialty medical complexes) delivered through I'rom PM Co., Ltd., providing quality medical environments and end-to-end support from clinic opening through post-operation management.
• CDMO Services - Viral Vector Contract Manufacturing Contract development and manufacturing of viral vectors including Sendai virus (SeV) and SIV vectors, from research-grade to clinical trial-grade production under GMP-compliant facilities meeting three-region (Japan/U.S./EU) standards.
• Cell Culture Processing Services (CPC) iPS cell creation, cell culture processing, and iPS cell culture supernatant manufacturing services using proprietary CytoTune-iPS technology in GMP-compliant Cell Processing Center (CPC) facilities at the Tsukuba Factory.
• iPS Cell Technology Licensing Out-licensing of proprietary Sendai virus vector, CytoTune-iPS, and iPS cell manufacturing technology to global pharmaceutical companies and biotech firms including Janssen Biotech, Evotec, Tanabe Mitsubishi Pharma, Sumitomo Pharma, STEMCELL Technologies, and Roslin Technologies.
• iCELL BANK iPS Cell Banking Service iPS cell banking service that creates and stores iPS cells from customer blood samples using proprietary CytoTune technology for personalized medical treatments and future regenerative medicine use.
• Cross-border E-commerce (Company In) Overseas e-commerce services operated by subsidiary In Co., Ltd., distributing OTC drugs, quasi-drugs, and cosmetics primarily to consumers in China and other Asian markets.
• Domestic Clinical Trial Administrator Services Services acting as domestic clinical trial administrator for overseas pharmaceutical companies, handling all procedures and operations related to clinical trials conducted in Japan on behalf of foreign sponsors.

Quantifiable outcome

• 17,000+ CytoTune-iPS kits sold globally as of June 2024
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

27 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Mness (エムネス)coreTechnology or Integration · 23 January 2026Strategic partnership for clinical trial DX (digital transformation). Collaboration on clinical trial process innovation.
• NTT DATA (NTTデータ)coreTechnology or Integration · 26 November 2025Collaboration on PhambieLINQ cloud version expansion for clinical trial support system. National-wide deployment of clinical trial management system.
• Evive BiotechcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 April 2025Partnership for development of innovative G-CSF drug Ryzneuta. Collaboration on biosimilar development.
• AlveoGenecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 31 May 2024Option exercise for joint R&D of respiratory disease gene therapy using lentivirus vector technology. Collaboration focused on developing gene therapies for respiratory conditions.
• Kyoto University iPS Cell Research Institute (CiRA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 May 2024Long-standing partnership for iPS cell research. Joint development of naive iPS cell production technology using Sendai virus vectors. CiRA Foundation adopted ID Pharma's technology for new clinical-grade iPS cell stock.
• Roslin Technologies Limited (UK)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 December 2023License agreement for iPS cell manufacturing technology. Joint efforts in advanced medical technology development.
• NTT ComminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 29 November 2023Collaboration using d Point club member base for clinical trial participant recruitment. Marketing partnership for clinical trial promotion.
• Ruidong Health Industry Group (瑞達健康産業集団) / Boao Future Hospital (博鰲未来病院)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 November 2023Joint business implementation agreement for advanced medical services in China. Collaboration on medical tourism and regenerative medicine.
• Evotec (Germany)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 September 2023License agreement for clinical-grade iPS cell manufacturing technology. Progress update on partnership implementation.
• World Scan Project (株式会社ワールドスキャンプロジェクト)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 August 2023Strategic partnership for Medical Web3 era wellbeing realization. Collaboration on blockchain and digital health initiatives.
• Okwave (株式会社オウケイウェイヴ)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 August 2023Healthcare information partnership with Singapore medical venture LIFEX RESEARCH. Capital and business alliance.
• STEMCELL Technologies (Canada)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 May 2023License agreement for iPS cell manufacturing technology. Global reach expansion through partnership with established biotech reagent company.
• Janssen Biotech (US)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 May 2023License agreement for iPS cell manufacturing technology for product development and commercialization. Major pharmaceutical partnership for ID Pharma technology.
• Tanabe Mitsubishi Pharma (田辺三菱製薬)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2023License agreement for iPS cell manufacturing technology. Japanese pharmaceutical company partnership.
• CogSmartminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 January 2022Investment in biotech company specializing in advanced medical technology.
• GenoDive Pharma (ジェノダイブファーマ)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 December 2021Strategic partnership agreement. Additional investment announced June 2024.
• Inovancell (イノバセル)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 August 2021Investment and regenerative medicine product manufacturing agreement. International joint clinical trial for fecal incontinence treatment.
• iPS Japan (京都大学iPS細胞研究財団)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 April 2021ID Pharma technology adopted for new clinical-grade iPS cell stock provided by iPS Japan Foundation.
• MerckcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 January 2021Basic agreement for vaccine and gene therapy drug development and manufacturing. Major global pharmaceutical partnership.
• National Institute of Infectious Diseases (国立感染症研究所)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2020Joint R&D on novel coronavirus vaccine using Sendai virus vector technology.
• Fudan University Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center (復旦大学附属上海公衆衛生臨床センター)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 February 2020Joint development of novel coronavirus vaccine. International collaboration on COVID-19 vaccine development.
• Kyushu University (九州大学)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 January 2020License agreement for DVC1-0401 (retinitis pigmentosa therapeutic agent). Physician-initiated clinical trials ongoing.
• Kyushu University (九州大学)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 December 2019License agreement for DVC1-0101 (ischemic limb therapeutic agent). Clinical trials in China progressing.
• Shanghai Cell Therapy Group (中国)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2019Strategic partnership for cell therapy and cell banking in medical tourism business.
• GP Partners (South Australia)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 14 December 2018SMO business launch in Australia through partnership with GP Partners. Local clinical trial support network.
• Boehringer Ingelheim (独ベーリンガーインゲルハイム)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 September 2018Joint R&D on cystic fibrosis gene therapy using F/HN-SIV vector technology. Collaboration with UK Cystic Fibrosis Gene Therapy Consortium. Option for exclusive global licensing.
• CMAX Clinical Research Pty LtdcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 25 October 2016Acquired full ownership of CMAX Clinical Research in Australia (2017). Clinical trial facility for Japan-Australia clinical development.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves12 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Lonza Group: Global CDMO leader providing cell and gene therapy manufacturing services. Operates at significantly larger scale than I'rom in viral vector and cell therapy CDMO, serving as both a competitor and a benchmark for capability expansion.
• Catalent (Novo Holdings): Global CDMO leader with viral vector, cell therapy, and biologics manufacturing capabilities. Provides broader service portfolio than I'rom but operates in the same advanced therapies CDMO market.

Direct peers

• EPS Holdings: Japanese CRO/SMO with nationwide site management network and clinical research services. Competes head-to-head with I'rom in SMO and CRO, with overlapping pharma and medical institution customer base in Japan.
• Oxford BioMedica: UK-based viral vector CDMO specializing in lentiviral vector manufacturing for gene therapy. Directly comparable to ID Pharma's CDMO business, serving similar gene therapy developers with GMP-grade vector production.
• CMIC Holdings: Japan's largest CRO, providing clinical trial site support (SMO), CRO services, and CDMO. Directly comparable business mix to I'rom Group's SMO, CRO, and advanced medical segments, with similar Japanese customer base.
• FUJIFILM Cellular Dynamics: iPSC-derived cell products and services for research, drug discovery, and cell therapy. Operates iPS cell manufacturing at scale comparable to ID Pharma's CytoTune-based offering, targeting similar pharma and academic customers.

Emerging players

• uniQure: Gene therapy company developing AAV-based treatments with internal GMP manufacturing. Smaller and more focused than I'rom Group but uses similar viral vector technology for gene therapy applications.

Regional players

• Takara Bio: Japanese biotech providing cell engineering products, viral vector manufacturing, and regenerative medicine tools. Comparable in Japan with similar gene therapy CDMO and reagent offerings, including retroviral and lentiviral vector systems.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/i-rom-group

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A1 record

Investments1 record

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

Frequently asked questions about I'rom Group