AS Medical Support
Leading Japan's Stem Cell Frontier

A place of healing where sports injuries vanish, livers rejuvenate and diabetes takes a backseat sounds like a work of fiction. These are a weekly occurrence at AS Medical Support’s Kyusyu Regenerative Medicine Center. From sidelined athletes to those battling life-threatening illnesses, AS Medical Support transforms lives through stem cell injections.

A global powerhouse renowned for its unparalleled expertise in cell biology, AS Medical Support is Japan’s premier cell processing facility. Operating one of the country’s largest stem cell service offerings, it handles over 5000 requests annually and is a major player in the cell culture outsourcing industry. Through this strategic position, it shares advanced cell culture techniques and cellular research with clinics worldwide.

“We collaborate with medical institutions to promote the generation of clinical data and provision of high-quality cell culture and research,” says Kenji Terasaki, President and Representative Director.

Beyond the core cell culture and research services, the organization offers a critical service: regenerative medicine consulting. Medical institutions navigating the complexities of regenerative medicine must comply with the stringent guidelines of the Act of the Safety of Regenerative Medicine (ASRM). AS Medical Support stands by these institutions, providing unwavering support to ensure compliance with every aspect of the law, from application to ongoing operations.



A Hub for Stem Cell Therapy

AS Medical Support’s state-of-the-art facility operates a comprehensive regenerative medicine program. It encompasses three key divisions, the REBORN CLINIC FUKUOKA, specializing in patient treatments; the Kyusyu Regenerative Medicine Cell Processing Center (CPC), supporting nationwide clinics with cell culture; and the Kyusyu Regenerative Medicine Rehabilitation Center, a dedicated rehabilitation facility for post-stem cell therapy patients. The integration of these facilities provides stem cell therapies directly to the clinics, making it an exceptionally attractive solution.

Stem cell cultures are its hallmark offering, comprising three distinct features. The viability of over 96 percent, surpassing the national standard of 90 percent, ensures high safety and effectiveness. Enhanced viability is a direct result of the organization’s technological advantage.

Secondly, it emphasizes the importance of uniform cell size. A disproportionate pool of cells might contain large cells that pose a risk of clot formation when injected into the patient’s body. To mitigate this, cultivators employ cell strainers to ensure uniform and appropriate cell sizes, prioritizing patient safety above all else.

Lastly, by using a specific culture medium and substrate to select and proliferate the desired cell type, such as autologous adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells, the organization ensures that patients receive the exact cell type they need.

These three features collectively establish AS Medical Support’s stem cell products as highly sought-after within Japan.

“We have been involved in providing cell cultures since the early days of regenerative medicine when we started with humble beginnings. Today, we take great joy in our success in contributing to the different clinics we serve,” says Mr. Terasaki.

Clinical Consultancy from Application to Operation

To aid medical institutions in providing regenerative medicine through new clinics, AS Medical Support follows a meticulous process for clinic application. The Act of the Safety of Regenerative Medicine (ASRM), is a difficult maze of regulations for new clinics to navigate. It mandates separate applications for each disease to be treated.



For instance, if a clinic intends to focus on treating diabetes, it must apply specifically for that indication. Similarly, separate certifications are required to treat other conditions, such as osteoarthritis or spinal cord injuries.

Comprehensive consulting provides end-to-end assistance to clients in establishing regenerative medicine clinics. Owning the largest cell culture processing facility in Japan, we performed 2,280 entrusted cell processing cases and achieved the TOP SHARE in the domestic market.

We collaborate with medical institutions to promote the generation of clinical data and provision of high-quality cell culture and research

To guide clients through the process of acquiring necessary licenses, it conducts staff training and offers reliable aid in all aspects of the application, from document preparation to notifying the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare. It helps to create plans for providing Type 2 and Type 3 regenerative medicine and examination support for the Specified Certified Regenerative Medicine Committee. Total support is providedfor various conditions required for application, ensuring a seamless process.

Facility introduction support involves aiding in the preparation of necessary examination equipment and the construction of operational facilities. It encompasses support in partnering with CPCs, appropriating clinic equipment and providing training support through experienced professionals and experts in regenerative medicine.

After-sales support continues well beyond the initial sale. Clients receive periodic reports of provision plans and help in managing clinic operations. Other services include cell culture support, assistance in the creation and operation of regenerative medicine clinic health plans and promoting regenerative medicine tourism.

Clients also receive guidance in customer acquisition through marketing initiatives, which include hosting marketing tools and operating marketing agencies to attract patients to the clinics. Such efforts underscore the organization’s commitment to supporting clients throughout the process of establishing and operating regenerative medicine clinics.

Unveiling New Frontiers in Stem Cell Research

AS Medical Support attributes its achievement as Japan’s top cell culture outsourcing provider for the fiscal year 2023 to its continuous efforts in building proprietary cell culture systems, nurturing talents and partnering with academic institutions on novel research ventures. It is engaged in collaborative research with Osaka University to develop designer stem cells. These aim to overcome the inherent challenges of CAR-T therapy, like a narrow range of applicable diseases, high treatment costs, severe side effects, manufacturing complexities and the risk of post-treatment disease relapse.



The cells being researched by AS Medical Support and Osaka University offer a safer, more feasible alternative for patients. The goal is to develop cells with high safety and efficacy, addressing the shortcomings of current treatments. The new AlphaGen Prototype-1 Cell emerged during the cutting-edge cultivation techniques developed in the course of its designer cell research. It exhibits significantly higher hepatocyte growth factor release levels than conventional stem cells, making it a promising candidate for enhancing treatment outcomes in specific diseases. Research data from Osaka University demonstrates the high therapeutic efficacy of this cell line. The future holds the potential of developing designer cells that can provide even greater clinical benefits compared to existing cultivation techniques for conditions such as diabetes, stroke, spinal cord injury and chronic pain.

Through such research of innovative regenerative medicine, AS Medical Support aims to expand its reach beyond Japan by attracting patients from various regions. Notably, clinics operated by the organization have gained recognition in countries and regions such as China, Taiwan, Vietnam and Singapore. This strategy has proven highly successful, with AS Medical Support currently deriving 30 percent of its total sales from international customers.

This immense success in Japan, under the Act of the Safety of Regenerative Medicine (ASRM), serves as a springboard for global expansion. The organization collaborates with the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare to export Japan’s regenerative medicine business infrastructure globally in alignment with this law. Currently, it is actively engaged in developing regenerative medicine in the APAC region, by providing technological assistance to the University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Vietnam. It is also in the process of establishing regenerative medicine clinics in various countries, including the UAE.

This strategic shift underscores AS Medical Support’s commitment to taking its expertise and services worldwide, elevating Japan’s advancements in regenerative medicine to the global stage and enhancing healthcare for all.