Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma : announces Allogeneic iPS cell-derived Dopaminergic Neural Progenitor Cells Designated a “SAKIGAKE” Product by Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare

February 28, 2017 Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma Co., Ltd.

Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Osaka, Japan; President: Masayo Tada) announced today that allogeneic iPS cell-derived dopaminergic neural progenitor cells, for which the company address toward the practical use in collaboration with Professor Jun Takahashi of Center for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University, has been designated for "SAKIGAKE Designation System" product for regenerative medicine & cell therapy by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) in Japan.

This cell product is dopamine neural progenitor cells derived from iPS cells.

The cells will be transplanted to Parkinson's disease patients to ameliorate neurological symptoms of Parkinson's disease by dopamine secreted and supplemented by the cells.

In collaboration with Professor Takahashi, Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma aims to acquire early approval of this cell product as regenerative medicine & cell therapy in Japan.

Reference Information （SAKIGAKE Designation System）:

The SAKIGAKE Designation System of the Ministry is designed to promote the development of innovative medical devices and regenerative medicine & cell therapy in Japan with a view to making them available as quickly as possible to patients in need. Designated products are given preferred procedural treatment in the consultation and review steps required for approval. The review period c

ould be as short as six months, thus reducing the overall time-to-market considerably.

Contact:

Public Relations/Investor Relations Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma Co., Ltd. TEL: +81-6-6203-1407 (Osaka);

+81-3-5159-3300 (Tokyo)