RAINBOW’s Regenerative Medicine
①Target Diseases
Our company is a biotech venture stemming from 20 years of research in “brain regeneration” conducted by the Department of Neurosurgery at Hokkaido University. Our main target is Brain Stroke.
Stroke is a condition where the blood flow to the brain is interrupted, preventing oxygen and nutrients from reaching brain cells. There are two main types:
- Ischemic Stroke: Caused by blockage of brain blood vessels by blood clots (thrombus) or fatty deposits.
- Hemorrhagic Stroke: Caused by ruptured brain blood vessels, leading to bleeding into the brain.
Stroke occurs suddenly, and without immediate treatment, brain damage can spread, resulting in permanent disabilities such as paralysis and speech impairments.
Why the Brain Is Considered Incurable?
The reason stroke is considered “incurable” is that brain cells damaged by stroke are thought to be incapable of regeneration. In the 19th century, Dr. S. Ramon Y Cajal’s detailed research on the structure of the nervous system laid the basis for modern neurobiology and earned him a Nobel Prize. His conclusion that the central nervous system of adult mammals does not regenerate after injury has led to the long-standing belief that central nervous system neurons do not proliferate.
Challenging the Notion that “The Brain Is Incurable”
In 1992, Drs. Reynolds and Weiss demonstrated the presence of neural stem cells in the brain that can differentiate into various neural cells such as neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes. This discovery of cells capable of generating new neural cells opened up novel approaches for brain recovery.
At RAINBOW, we are challenging the recovery of damaged brain function by transplanting stem cells into the brain to induce neurogenesis. In Phase I clinical trial of our product ‘HUNS001,’ a patient who could not walk due to stroke symptoms was able to recover walking ability. Following media coverage of these trial results, we have received many inquiries from patients, highlighting the high expectations for our business. Our ultimate goal is to popularize this treatment method worldwide.
