Briefly: New company to manage iPS patents

Kyoto University said Friday it will set up a company to manage and utilize patents on versatile stem cells developed by Shinya Yamanaka and other university researchers.

Daiwa Securities Group Inc., Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp. and a venture capital affiliated with Daiwa and SMBC have agreed to invest 200 million yen in the company.

The amount of investments will be increased to 1.2 billion yen within two years.

The company will hold the exclusive rights to patents related to induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells and handle license agreements for their use.(IHT/Asahi: May 17,2008)