Ips Cell-Derived Drug for Parkinson’s May Get OK for Health Insurance

Japan’s Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry is evaluating whether to include **Amchepry**, a drug derived from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells), in the national health insurance system for Parkinson’s disease treatment. The decision is set to be discussed as early as May 11, 2026, by the Central Social Insurance Medical Council, an advisory panel to the health minister. If approved, **Amchepry** would become the world’s first iPS cell-derived product covered by public health insurance, with an expected price of tens of millions of yen. Developed by Sumitomo Pharma Co., **Amchepry** contains nerve cells derived from iPS cells, designed to be transplanted into the brains of Parkinson’s patients suffering from tremors and mobility issues due to nerve cell loss. The drug received conditional and time-limited approval in March 2026, but its eligibility for insurance coverage is still under review. This development follows the conditional approval of **RiHeart**, another iPS cell-derived product for severe heart failure, developed by Cuorips Inc., a startup affiliated with The University of Osaka. Unlike **Amchepry**, **RiHeart** is classified as a medical device and consists of cardiac muscle cell sheets for heart attachment. Its pricing is expected to be determined four to five months after approval, as it is not yet covered by health insurance. The potential inclusion of **Amchepry** in Japan’s health insurance system could mark a significant milestone in regenerative medicine, offering new hope for Parkinson’s patients globally. The review process underscores Japan’s leadership in iPS cell research, which has been pioneered by scientist Shinya Yamanaka, a Nobel laureate.