September 27, 2024

NSK Ltd.
Corporate Communications Department

NSK and Cyfuse Develop New Technology for Automation of Production Processes for Regenerative Medicine 

 NSK Ltd. (NSK; Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan; President and CEO: Akitoshi Ichii) and Cyfuse Biomedical K.K. (Cyfuse; Headquarters Tokyo, Japan; CEO: Shizuka Akieda) announced today they have successfully developed a new technology for practical application and commercialization of new cellular products in next-generation growth areas such as regenerative medicine and cellular therapy, drug discovery, and healthcare (hereinafter “growth areas”).

 

 Since concluding a partnership*1 to collaborate on expanding and developing these growth areas, NSK and Cyfuse have been working together to develop new technologies, seeking to realize applications as a production technology for 3D cellular products, such as the regenerative medicine products that Cyfuse is developing.

*1   For details see the press release of December 23, 2022.

 

 The successfully developed new technology is based on Cyfuse’s proprietary bio 3D printing technology, which has been combined with NSK’s mechatronic technology characterized by precision positioning technologies that NSK has cultivated as part of its precision machine component development in its industrial machinery business. This has made it possible to apply R&D-use technology installed on Cyfuse’s Bio 3D Printer “S-PIKE®” to further applications as a commercial production technology for 3D cellular products.

 

 Based on this successful co-creation outcome both companies are anticipating further progress in the development of technologies, equipment, and facilities for the automation of various processes related to product manufacturing. By installing the new technology, the aim is to boost the productivity and quality of Cyfuse’s regenerative medicine products and innovative 3D cellular products, such as the Human 3D mini-liver.*2

*2   Cyfuse’s proprietary platform technology has been used to commercialize the world’s first “Functional Cellular Device” (FCD) that extracts some of the functions of the human body and reproduces them outside the body, which is being marketed as the “human 3D mini-liver” This product has a structure and function closer to a living liver than existing conventional products, thus meeting drug discovery research needs of pharmaceutical companies and non-clinical contract testing companies, etc. In addition, given that it also has potential as an alternative method for animal testing in the future, it is attracting attention as a product that has great social significance in terms of sustainability.

 

 By further strengthening their partnership and expanding collaboration and joint development with various other corporate partners, NSK and Cyfuse will continue to co-create products and services that will contribute to the expansion and development of next-generation growth areas such as regenerative medicine and cellular therapy, drug discovery, and healthcare.

 

 NSK plans to introduce this successful collaboration and exhibit the following related products at Regenerative Medicine Japan 2024, which is scheduled to be held from October 9 to 11, 2024 at Pacifico Yokohama. (NSK Booth: R-1)

 

Various mechatronic products and decontamination resistant actuator  NSK , Bio 3D Printer S-PIKE®  Cyfuse
About NSK
 NSK produced the first bearings in Japan in 1916 and over the past 100 years, it has supported the development of industries worldwide by creating various innovative products and technologies in bearings, automotive parts, and precision machinery. Since the early 1960s, the company has expanded overseas and now has operations in about 30 countries. It ranks third in the world in the field of bearings and leads the world in ball screws, electric power steering, and other products.

 

About Cyfuse

 A regenerative medicine venture company that utilizes its proprietary bio 3D printing technology that enables various 3D tissue fabrication using only cells to drive the development of regenerative medicine products for practical use as new treatment options.

 

 Currently, the development of regenerative medicine technology using Cyfuse’s Bio 3D Printer has advanced to the clinical development stage, where transplants are performed on patients, and efforts are underway to develop and establish a business foundation (supply chain) in this growth area, in anticipation of future commercial production. For further details see the Cyfuse website.

 

 Although this announcement will have a negligible effect on business performance, it is expected to contribute to the enhancement of corporate value going forward, and further developments will be promptly announced. 

 

[Inquiries about this press release] 

NSK Ltd.                                                                      Cyfuse Biomedical K.K.

Corporate Communications Dept.                      Finance, Accounting and Business Administration

Tel: +81 (0)3-3779-7053                                           Tel: +81 (0)3-6435-1885

Mail: pr-dept@nsk.com                                           Mail: ir@cyfusebm.com